Boat Races have been become an intrinsic part in the life of the local people of Kerala. The boat race is symbolic of the Jalotsavams in Kerala. And of all the boat races in Kerala, the boat race at Aranmula tops the list. Conducted on the Uthrittathi day of Chingom (August-September), the Aranmula Boat Race is the most famous of all. Since it is celebrated on the day of Uthrittathi asterism in connection with the Onam festival, the festival is better known as the Aranmula Uthrittathi.
The Aranmula Uthrittathi is held on the Pampa to commemorate the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna on that day. The deity is supposed to be in all the boats that take part in the carnival and all of them are expected to arrive at their destination simultaneously. There is thus no element of competition in the Aranmula Boat Race as in other regattas held in this district and elsewhere.
Even though the festival is of Hindu origin and is associated with the Parthasarathy Temple, it is an all-community affair and participants include members of all classes and communities living in and around Aranmula. The festival is now being organised under the auspices of the Palli Oda Seva Sangham, a popular organization of the boat owners. In recent years, the festival attracts spectators from all parts of the country and from abroad. The Valla sadya is an important vazhipadu (offering) in the temple on this occasion.
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