Chenithala puthen palliyodam going for Aranmula valamkali

This is the new Chundan Vallam (snake boat) made for chennithala for use in the arunmula Uthrittathi vallamkali(snake boat race).The song in the background is the traditional Vanchipattu song by the oarsmen.The history of Chennithala palliyodam is given below.


Chennithala Palliyodam, dedicated to Lord Shree Parthasarathy of Thiruvaranmula has a glorious history of over a century and a quarter to its credit. It has been continuously going to Thiruvaranmula all these years from the far flung Chennithala village on the banks of river Achankovil, to participate in the annual "Uthrittathi Vallamkali" (snake boat carnival) which coincides with the idol installation day of Lord Thiruvaranmulayappan at Thiruvaranmula Temple. People from all walks of life, irrespective of their caste and creed whole heartedly participate in functions associated with the annual "Thiruvaranmula Yatra" (voyage) of the Palliyodam. The devotion, spirit, enthusiasm and belongingness of people are unique to this Palliyodam which is evident from the large turn-out of people at the Palliyoda Kadavu to have a glimpse of the Palliyodam and give it a devout and warm sent-off to Aranmula every year on Pururuttathi day after Onam (day as per Malayalam calendar). Prominent personalities from all over Kerala, irrespective of their political, social and cultural affiliations, come to the Palliyoda Kadavu on this auspicious day. This is the only Palliyodam in Mavelikara Taluk and in the entire Upper Kuttanad region of Alappuzha. It travels through 3 rivers, Achankovil, Kuttanperoor and Pampa and passes a distance of over 80 Kms to reach Thiruvaranmula. Chennithala Palliyodam is the farthest of all Palliyodams reaching Thiruvaranmula. All programs of the Palliyodam start after customary rituals, prayers and offerings to Shree Mahadevar at Chala Shree Mahadeva Temple, Kannannoor Shree Bhadra Devi at Kannannoor Devi Temple and Shree Krishna at Anaklattu Mutt Temple, all situated in Chennithala village. Ladies and gents of this village gather at Chala Shree Mahadeva Temple on the appointed day of Neeraniyal (touching water) in the morning and take a procession to the Palliyoda Kadavu.