Legend
has it that Arjuna built this temple, to expiate for the sin of
having killed Karna on the battlefield, against the dharma of killing
an unarmed enemy. It is also believed that Vishnu (here) revealed
the knowledge of creation to Bhrama , from whom the Madhukaitapa
demons stole the Vedas. It is said that Arjuna built this temple
at Nilackal near Sabarimalai. and the image was brought here in
a raft made of six pieces of bamboo to this site, and hence the
name Aranmula (six pieces of bamboo).
There is yet another legend associated with Parthasarathy
here. On the ninth dayof the battle of Kurukshetra, the Kauravas
reigned supreme under the leadership of Bheeshma, when krishna motivated
Arjuna to take initative and vanquish his foe. Upon his hesitating
to do so, Krishna jumped down in rage, and took up his discus; seeing
this sight Bheeshma surrendered to him and Arjuna beseeched him
not to kill Bheeshma, as it would bave been against Krishna's vow
to take up arms in his battle. It is believed that it is this image
of Krishna that is enshrined here, with a discus.
Festival
The malayala month of Meenam witnesses a festival where Aranmula
Parthasarathy is taken in a grand procession on the garuda mount
to the Pampa river bank, where an image of the Bhagawati from the
nearby Punnamthode temple is brought in procession for the arattu
festival.
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