Aranmula
Aranmula is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta District in the state of Kerala in south India,Nearby famous places are Pattanamthitta (10 km) and Chengannur (10km). the nearest railway station is Chengannur and airports are Cochin and Tiruvananthapuram. It is the venue of the annual Snake Boat race on the Pampa; the place is also famous for its metal mirrors, known as Aranmula kannadi. Vijnana Kala Vedi, a school of traditional art founded by French artist Louba Schild, is in Aranmula, on the way to Kozhencherry.
Aranmula is known for the Vaasthu Vidya Gurukulam, the traditional way of constructing buildings. The location is by the side of the holy river Pampa, which hosts one more important annual event called the Maramon Convention. Aranmula is a small village, but is one of the destinations as specified the Discovery channel, one would definitely like to visit.
The famous Aranmula Mirror localy known as Aranmula kannadi, kannadi meaning mirror, is made here. This mirror is made out of high tin bronze.
The Place is of historical importance, The Thiruaranmula Parthsaaradhi temple. It is believed that the main idol was originally the "Thevaara vigraha"(one which was used for daily personal worship) of Arjuna the third Paandava. It is also believed that the thevaars vigrahas of the four other Paandavas are placed in the nearest four villages namely Thrchittaat, Thrppuliyoor, Thiruvanmandoor near Chengannur, Thrkkodithaanam near Changanassery.
The Aranmula Vallamkali
The Aranmula Vallamkali, the wold famous water carnival is the main important function related to this place. It started in relation with the thiruvonathoni which starts on Uthraadam (day before Thiruonam)evening from Kaattoor Mahavishnu temple with provisions for the 'Nivedyam' and 'samoohasadya' (feast)on Thiruvonam at the temple.The provisions are offered by the Mangattu Bhattathiry, thekaranavar (the eldest member) of Mangattu Illom.(There is a legend also behind this.) Preveously the Mangattu Illom was situated near Kaattoor temple and now it is at Kumaranalloor near Kottayam. There will be a representative from the family on the thoni, as a part of tradition. It is a nice sight to see the thoni moving down the river Pampa without rowing. The thoni is symbolic of Lord vishnu's Garuda.
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The origins of the Aranmula metal mirrors are linked with the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Legend has it that eight families of experts in temple arts and crafts were brought by the royal chief to Aranmula from Tirunelveli district to work in the Parthasarathy temple centuries ago. Some undisclosed metals are alloyed with copper and tin to cast the mirrors. The procedure and metallurgy is now only known to a single family in Aranmula. To achieve their highly reflective surface, the finished mirrors need to be polished for one or two days.