Aranmula Village

Discover the age old culture and tradition of India, on the tour to the Aranmula Village. Located in the state of Kerala in India, Aranmula, is a small fascinating village with all the characteristics of the rural India. It is closely situated near to the Changannur, on the left bank of the river Pampa. Whose soever you are a leisure traveler, a scholar, a professional or simply a tourist the village of Aranmula will never fail to disappoint you.

Important facts :

• Aranmula is considered as the birth place of Lord Ayyapan.
• It has been declared as the heritage village of India by the India natioanl trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
• The village is world famous for its metal mirrors called 'Aranmula Kannady'.
• It is the venue for the renowned Snake Boat Race.

Aranmula Art and Craft :

Aranmula Metal Mirrors of Kerala :
Aranmula is also quite famous for its metal mirrors with no refraction. They are made of a kind of bell metal and are popularly known as the 'Aranmula Kannadi Kannadi', which means mirror in Malayalam. The specialty about these metal is that they are not found anywhere else in the world. This unique art is made by the craftsmen in the village and is held secret passed on from one generation to the other. It is impossible to make an duplicate item of the Aranmula Kannadi. It is one of the eight auspicious items like the Astamagalaya set, which is usually used for the functions like marriage. The British Museum in London houses the eighteen inch tall Aranmula Metal Mirror.

Dance and Music :
If you want to enjoy the true colours of the rural life of Keala, be a part the extremely popular Kathakali dance performed by the local villagers. The villagers wear the heavy make up and costume to perform this dance. The dance depict scenees from the famous Hindu epics Ramanayana and Mahabharata.

Important Tourists Attractions :

Aranmula Boat Race :
Celebrated on the last day of the Onam festival, Aranmula Boat Race is one of the most popular event celebrated in Kerala. Every year the event is organized at Sri Parthasarathy temple where large of tourists gather all together to cheer up the candidates, who participate in the boat race. The back end of the boat called 'Amaram' curves upward while the front portion of the boat tapers gradually. The event of boat race continues for two days. The snake boats are about 100 feet long, that can accommodate 100 oarsmen, around 25 singers and 4 helmsmen. The boats move in pairs to the rhythm of full throated singing, resembling the unity among the people of India.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple :
Aranmula is famous for its ancient temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple boost of the fine murals from the 18th century. The temple dates back to the time of Mahabharata, when war between the Pandavas and Kauravas took place in the Kurukshetra battlefield. It is one of the oldest temple in south India. Pilgrims from all around the world come to pay homage at this temple especially on the occasion of the Onam festival celebrated every year in the month of August or September.

Vijnana Kalavedi at Aranmula :
On the visit to the Aranmula village you can make a visit to the Vijnana Kalavedi, an arts training school. The credit of starting the Vijnana Kalavedi goes to Ms. Louba Schild in 1968. The institute imparts training in the traditional art like Kathkali, classical dances, classical music as well as Kalaripayattu. Tourists from all around the world stay here for longer times to learn more about the art and culture of Kerala.