KERALA BOAT RACE

With all the attarctions which Kerala is full of, this is another unparalleled attraction in this part of the country. Kerala Boat Race is a sport held in different parts of the state in the backwaters. The boats are quite different from the traditional boats. These resemble somewhat a snake as these are long and have prows and are also called snake boats. There are other watercrafts participating into the race. These races not only reflect the vibrance of the people of the place but also boast of the team spirit with which it is filled. It signifies the superb team spirit, integration of the people taking part into the races. Probably it is the largest team sport in the world.

Generally a snake boat is manned by four helmsmen, twenty five singers and 100 to 125 oarsmen who row the boat in unison matching the fast rhythm of the song sung by the oarsmen (called vanchipattu in local language). The spectators in thousands at the water edge cheer the different watercrafts - some black and big, some small.

There are many Snake Boat Races held during the month of June to September in different parts of the Kerala backwater zones. The most important and the oldest are
as follows :-

1) Champakulam Moolam Boat Race - The venue of this race is in Champakulum which is about 25-kms from Alappuzha (Alleppy district see backwater tour arranged by AveMaria India Tours which covers Alappuzha) Generally it is held in the month of July to mark the harvest season. Traditionally decorated boats about 100 feet in length float in the backwaters for a race.

Note:- The date of these races depend upon the local calendar and changes from year to year.

2) Nehru Trophy Boat Race - It is the most important and vibrant water sports in Kerala which is conducted on the second Saturday of every August at the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. The sportive spirit of the participants of the race is worth witnessing. This event is also a reflection of unity, fraternity and sports man spirit. Thus not only for the people of Alappuzha(Alleppy) but this event has become an important attraction among the people from all over the world. The trophy here is named Nehru Trophy as it was donated by the late Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the year 1952.

Few other important Boat Races held during Onam (August-September) are as follows -