Kerala Boat races

The Boat race of Kerala is the largest team sport in the world. These races integrate team spirit, social harmony, adventure and a great sense of rhythm. A number of long snake boats and also small ones participate in these Boat race festivals. Usually in Snake boat races of Kerala it is manned by 4 helmsmen, 25 singers and 100-125 oarsmen, who row in a union to the fast rhythm of the songs of the boatman (vanchipaattu). The spectacular Snake boat races of Kerala have become so popular that they have come to symbolize Kerala Worldwide.

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race

The oldest and most popular Snake boat race in Kerala, this race is conducted on the Champakulam Lake on the Moolam day of the Malayalam month of Mithunam, to commemorate the installation of the idol of Lord Krishna in the temple.

Aranmula Boat Race

The Aranmula Boat Race Kerala is held during the Onam festival in Kerala on the Pamba River near Sree Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula. The golden lace at the head of the boat, the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the centre make it a visual delight. Each Snake boat belongs to a village along the banks of the river Pamba and is named after it.

Prior to the race the snake boat participate in a grand procession with the oarsmen and singers on board.

Payippad Jalotsavam

This boat race in Kerala, held in the memory of the installation of the deity at Haripad Subrahmanya Temple has a religious significance. The three day annual fiesta commences from the Onam festival in Kerala. The competition takes place on the third day.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Kerala

The Nehru Trophy Boat race Kerala that is held every year at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha on the second Saturday in August, was first held to commemorate the visit of the Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1956. Over 16 snake boats participate in the race, along with scores of smaller crafts with a prize for each category. There are separate Women races also. The race begins with a colorful display of floats, performing arts and elaborately decorated boats.

Uthrattathi Vallamkali

The Uthrattathi Vallamkali sees 26 boats participating in the two day fiesta, which begins on September 1 every year in Aranmula. It re-enacts the legend of a Brahmin who made a vow to feed a pilgrim a day. When Sree Krishna himself appeared, the devotee vowed to offer the Onam feast at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Rivals intercepted the boat bringing the provisions for the feast but the Brahmins’ kinsfolk came to the rescue and the offerings were carried away in a fleet of polliyodam(boat for deities and royalty)