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Boat Race

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.

Snake boat races are held in connection with Onam, the harvest festival in August/September,with a detailed description of four of the oldest and most important events -

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race
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Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali
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Payippad Jalotsavam
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Nehru Trophy Boat Race
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Other boat races held during Onam (August/September):
» 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.

The Department of Tourism makes special arrangements for guests to watch these events, on prior request.



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