Boat
race reflects the enthusiasm and jubilance of people during the
celebration of their main festival, Onam. Various types of boat race
are held
and each are distinct from one another. Scores of long snake boats
and other smaller crafts participate in these events. The largest
team sport in the world, the snake boat races are preceded by colorful
water parades.
The
snake boat race is the most exciting of all races, which is manned
by four helmsmen, 25 singers and 100 - 125 oarsmen. These oarsmen
row in unison to the fast rhythm of the Vanchipattu (song of the
boatman). Thousands of people crowd the water's edge to cheer the
huge black crafts as they slice through the waters to a spectacular
finish.
Champakulam Moolam Boat Race
It is the oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala that is
closely connected to the Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. The race
is held on the Champakulam Lake on the day of the installation of the
deity at the Temple. An exotic procession of water floats, boats decorated
with colorful parasols and performing arts greets the spectator before
the race. The race proper is held in various stages for various categories
of boats.
Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali
Aranmula Uthrittathi Vallomkali is conducted in the Pamba River in
front of Sri Parthasarathi Temple. The Aaranmula Boat Race is staged
each year in the scenic village of Aaranmula in August/ September.
This river carnival is part of the Aaranmula Temple festival. Masses
throng the shores of the River Pamba to watch an imposing cluster
of snake boats called 'Palliyodams'. Though, large snake boats take
part in this festival they do not race with each other. Instead,
they row in union, to the accompaniment of songs and reach their
destination
Payippad Jalotsavam
The three day annual fiesta on the Payippad Lake, 35 km from Alappuzha,
commemorates the installation of the deity at the Subramanya Swamy
Temple, Haripad.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the most colorful water sport in Kerala,
is conducted at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha on the second Saturday
of every August. Though it is a festival, the attraction about this
is the sportive spirits among the participants of the race. In
the year 1952, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the erstwhile Travancore
- Cochin. On his way to Alappuzha from Kottayam the people of Alappuzha,
escorted by the huge snake-boats, gave him a roaring reception. Having
gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat popularly
known as Chundan, Jawaharlal Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded
to the winner. The trophy is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed
on wooden abacus on which Punditji's signature is inscribed. There
are four most important boat races, which are the oldest and most
important
events. These are Champakulam Moolam
Boat Race, Aranmula
Uthrattadi Vallamkali, Payippad Jalotsavam and Nehru Trophy Boat
Race.
