Aranmula is famous for the tourist attraction 'Vallam Kali',, Aranmula is a global heritage site enlisted by the United Nations. It is a sacred site for the Hindus and comprises the central temple of Lord Parthasarathi with a network of temples and sacred groves around. Boat race is part of the temple festival here. The boat race is conducted on day of Uthrittathi in the month of Chingam
Geography
Fertile wetlands, locally called Puncha, rich biodiversity and a soothing climate make Aranmula an apex model of the ecofriendly culture of Kerala. The region, as remote sensing maps show, has a rich stock of ground water which feeds the river Pampa and the estuaries like Vembanad. The rice producing belts like Kuttanad downstream benefit from the water cycle. Nearby important towns are Chengannur, Pathanamthitta, Pandalam. The nearest railway station is Chengannur and airports are in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
Snake Boats
The annual snake boat race on the Pampa river, called Uthrittathi Vallamkali, attracts devotees and also national and international tourists. Fifty two Karas, from ancient chieftains, own the snake boats that take part in the boat races and these are considered as the vehicles of the Lord. Aranmula is also famous for its famed metal mirrors, known as Aranmula kannadi. The palace at Aranmula built mostly in wood is an architectural marvel and has a history of around 200 years. It was here that the 'Thiru Abharanam', ornaments of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala, were originally kept and it still is a stop over of the annual procession from Pandalam.
Geography
Aranmula is located at. It has an average elevation of.
Temples
The Aranmula Parthasarathi Temple is one of the major temples in Kerala and has a great antiquity. It is one of the venerated 108 Vaishnava temples in India and finds mention in Tamil classics. Spread over a vast area, the temple is on the banks of the Pampa and the whole temple complex is at a high elevation. Main idol is of Lord Krishna, who is the charioteer of warrior Arjuna in Kurukshetra War. The temple has a flight of 18 steps that lead to the Eastern Tower while 57 descending steps from the Northern tower reaches the Pampa. The temple here has fine murals from the 18th century."Thanka Anki ",the golden ornaments of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala is kept in Aranmula sri parthasarathy temple. Pulikkunnumala Mahadeva Temple Pulikkunnumala Mahadeva Temple is 4 km from Aranmula. The old temple is traditionally said to be the worship place of the pandavas. This temple is donated by Koikkattumalayil the late Ramakrishna Pillai to the Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti, Kerala. Palace
Aranmula Panchayat
Aranmula Grama Panchayat is the local governing body of Aranmula. The office is in between Kottakkakom and Kalarikkodu. Isha Purushothaman is the panchayat president while Prasad Verunkal is the vice-president.
Politics
Aranmula Assembly constituency is part of Pathanamthitta. Smt Veena George is the present MLA of the constituency.
