Janmashtami: Grand Feast at Aranmula Temple, Milk Jug Procession in Rameswaram

Krishna Janmashtami was observed with deep religious fervour across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, marked by elaborate rituals, community feasts, and traditional processions.

In Kerala's Pathanamthitta district, the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple witnessed a grand Vallasadya on the occasion of Ashtami Rohini. Around 50,000 devotees, including members of palliyoda karas from 52 villages and local residents, participated in the event. The ceremonial lamp was lit by Akkiramon Kalidasa Ezhuthachan, with Palliyoda Seva Sangham President Sambadevan and local MLA Abin Varghese in attendance.

A distinctive feature of the Aranmula feast is the belief that Lord Krishna himself serves the meal to his devotees on his birthday. The Vallasadya, considered a sacred offering and prasadam, was served to the gathered faithful. The celebrations included a procession on decorated palliyodams (snake boats), with children dressed as Lord Krishna and performers presenting traditional art forms. Devotees circled the temple singing Vanchipattu (boat songs) and dancing before assembling in the courtyard for the feast.

Meanwhile, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, hundreds of women took part in a traditional milk jug procession in the Thangachimadam area. Led by village headman Mariappan, the women carried milk jugs from the Bekarumbu Hanuman Temple, walking through the main streets before reaching the Krishna temple.

The festival was also celebrated with enthusiasm in northern India. At the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, devotees participated in Mangala Aarti and special prayers. In Delhi, large gatherings were seen at ISKCON temples in East of Kailash and Dwarka Sector 13 for the early morning Mangla Aarti. Across the country, temples saw devotees joining in prayers, rituals, and devotional singing to mark the birth of Lord Krishna.