Boat Races

Welcome to the snake boat races of Kerala.Magnificent fiestas that brings alive the tranquil backwaters. Snake boat races are held in connection with Onam, the harvest festival in August/September. 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 colourful water parades.

Usually a snake boat is manned by four helmsmen, 25 singers and 100 - 125  oarsmen who 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.

The oldest of these events have curious legends and myths attached to their origin. Myths closely linked to the rustic people and their beliefs.


Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Venue:Punnamadakayal, Alappuzha

One of the most important boat races in Kerala, Nehru Trophy Boat Race is an annual event conducted on the second Saturday of August every year, in the afternoon. The main event consists of a stiff competition between the magnificent snake boats known as chundanvallam, for the coveted trophy. These boats stretch about 100 feet in length, with a raised prow, resembling the raised hood of a snake, hence the name. They are manned by some 100 rowers who row vigorously to the accompaniment of the vanchipattu to lend vocal support to their physical efforts. The race commences with a ceremonial water procession comprising of floats and a variety of craft.

Getting there:
Nearest Railway Station: Alappuzha
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km away.

Champakulam Boat Race ,Champakulam Alappuzha

Event Date : 12 Jul,2003

The festivities include spectacular water floats, decorated boats, Vanchipattu or the song of the oarsmen and the most thrilling Chundanvallom race. Chundans are a category of boats over 100 feet in length with raised prow. They were called snake boats by the colonial rulers and continue to be known so till date. Named after snake boats - a kind of native boats found in Norway - the Chundans hardly resemble them.

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Alappuzha.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha town.

Aranmula Boat Race Aranmula, Pathanamthitta
Event Date : 11 Sep,2003

Venue: Pampa River Aranmula, Chengannur

Held in strict adherence to tradition, the Aranmula Boat Race is a highly popular event. It is held on the Pampa River near the Sree Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula in connection with the Onam celebrations.

Getting there:
Nearest Railway Station: Chengannur, about 10km away
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 115 km away.

Venue: Payippad, Alappuzha

Watch the exciting spectacle of the Payippad Boat Race set the Payippad river afire. Conducted annually at Payippadu, en-route to Harippad, this race is a three-day affair, with highlights like water floats, classical and folk art performances etc.

Getting there:
Location: About 35 km from Alappuzha near Harippad
Nearest Railway Station: Harippad about 5km away
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha

Other boat races held during  Onam

• ATDC Boat Race, Alappuzha

• Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race, Pulinkunnu

• Neerettupuram Boat Race 

• Kumarakom Boat Race 

• Karuvatta Boat Race 

• Kavanattinkara Boat Race, 

• Kumarakom Arpookara Vanitha Jalamela, 

• Kottayam Mahatma Boat Race, Mannar

• Thazhathangadi Boat Race,Kottayam

• Kottapuram Boat Race, 

• Kodungallur and Kumaranasan Smaraka Jalotsavam, Pallana. 

  The Indira Gandhi Boat Race is held on the Ernakulam Lake during the Cochin Carnival in the last week of December.