Aranmula(Kerala): A procession of snake boats (Chundan) during the Aranmula Boat Race in Aranmula backwaters at Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, Monday. Marked by fervent devotion, the boat race held in Aranmula is more a ritual than a competition. The boat race takes place on the Uthrittathi asterism (as per the Malayalam calendar) during the Onam festival in Kerala. The boat race is noted for its grandeur and long tradition. Legend has it that a devout Brahmin vowed to offer all the requirements for the ThiruvonaSsadya (the traditional feast on the day of Thiruvonam) at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Once, the boat known as Thiruvona Thoni (thoni means boat) carrying these offerings was attacked by enemies. In order to protect the Thiruvona Thoni people from neighbouring areas decided to accompany the Thiruvona Thoni in their snake boats. Later on, this practice evolved into an offering to Lord Parthasarathy in the form of a snake boat race, held on theUthrittathi day, which eventually became popular as the Aranmula Boat Race.
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