Aranmula Parthasarathy temple is located at Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district and is one of the most famous Sri Krishna temples in Kerala. The 10-day annual festival at Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is held in such a manner that it concludes on the Thiruvonam Nakshatra day in Makaram month. The festival begins on Atham nakshatram.
The festival begins with the Kodiyettu ceremony or flag hoisting. The Kodiyettu ceremony commences with a ceremonial procession from the Vilakkumadom Temple at Edayaranmula, around 2 km away from Aranmula temple.
Annadanam is performed during the annual festival.
The auspicious Utsava Bali as part of the festival is performed after ucha pooja on all days except on the first day and the final day.
Pancharatna Keerthanas is chanted on all days of the festival.
Garuda Vahanam procession is held during the early morning hours on the fifth day of the festival.
Pallivetta is held on the ninth day of the festival.
The festival concludes with Arattu on the Thiruvonam nakshatra day in Makaram month.
The annual festival is famous for the performance of Kerala temple art forms, melam, pujas and rituals and caparisoned elephants carrying the thidambu and utsava murti of the deity.