water. The village carpenter carries out annual repairs and people take pride in their boat, which is named after and represents their village. Getting onto a snake boat Only men of the village are allowed to be in the boat. Dress. White loin cloth (Mundu) and turban. No shirt and footwear. Traditionally it will be commanded by a Kaarnavan / Karanaadhan (Village leader) with First Adanayampu and under him there will be three main oarsmen who control the movement of the boat with 12 feet long main rudder-oar (Adanayampu). Sitting two in row along the length of the Boat there will be the oarsmen, They row in rhythm of the Vanchippattu (boatman's song). Standing on the platform in the middle of the boat, the main singer will lead the Vanchippattu. A few singers will be with the main leader while others will stand at the middle between the oarsmen. Vanchipattu The singers lead the Vanchippattu (boatman's song) which the oarsmen will repeat and they move the oars in circular form according to its rhythm. Usually the selection will be from "Kuchela Vrythom Vanchipattu". Example: (in Malayalam) Note that The oar should make one full circle between the dashes (-). Singers – Paranja-thangane thanney- Oarsmen - Thei thei -thakathei thei thom- Singers – Paranja-thangane thanney- Oarsmen – Thithi tha thi- thei thei, Singers – Paranja-thangane thanney – paathirava-yallo Pathni Oarsmen – Paranja-thangane thanney – paathirava-yallo Pathni All together – Ohh thei tha- thaka tha thiki thaka thom Theeya Thitho thitho thikithom Singers - Kuranj-onnurangatte njan Oarsmen - Thei thei -thakathei thei thoy- Singers - Kuranj-onnurangatte njan Oarsmen – Thitha tha thi- thei thei, Singers - Kuranj-onnurangatte njan ulak -irezhum Festivals A number of colourful festivals rich in traditions are held at Aranmula temple every year. The most important festival is the traditional palliyodam regatta (boat festival). Three important events take place in which the Palliyodams participate. All these are solemn religious custom and there were no competitive races. Thiruvonam On Thiruvonam day people of Kerala celebrate it with a feast. Aranmula celebrations begin with the arrival of Thiruvonathoni (special boats) from Kattoor. For a sumptuous meal for the Lord at Aranmula, a boat with the necessary provisions, and an ever-burning lamp, set off its journey from the temple at Kattoor at 6 pm so that it could reach Aranmula temple by 4 am the next day, the Thiruonam day. At 6