Aranmula is a temple village in the state of Kerala, India. A centre of pilgrimage from time immemorial and a trade post of eminence, when the river was the chief means of transport, it is near Kozhenchery in Pathanamthitta District. At a distance of around 116 km from Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, it is situated on the banks of the holy river Pampa. Aranmula is famous for 'Vallam Kali',(Snakeboat Regatta), Aranmula is a global heritage site enlisted by the United Nations. It is a sacred site for the Hindus and comprises the central temple of Lord Parthasarathi with a network of temples and sacred groves around. Boat race is part of the temple festival here. The annual snake boat race on the Pampa river, called Uthrittathi Vallamkali, attracts devotees and also national and international tourists. Fifty two Karas, from ancient chieftains, own the snake boats that take part in the boat races and these are considered as the vehicles of the Lord. Aranmula is also famous for its famed metal mirrors, known as Aranmula kannadi. The palace at Aranmula ( Aranmula Kottaram) built mostly in wood is an architectural marvel and has a history of around 200 years. It was here that the 'Thiru Abharanam', ornaments of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala, were originally kept and it still is a stop over of the annual procession from Pandalam.