Kerala Boat Race

The boat races in Kerala will surely push your adrenaline level into high gear. The mesmerizing backwaters of the state play the role of the perfect host for the annual event–boat race. Occupying a prized place on the calender of Kerala, Boat Race festival is very popular among Keralites. Surcharged with thrill and excitement this festival attracts tourists from far and wide. Showing a great deal of team spirit, the boat races leave the onlookers spell bound.

The people gathered to see the delightful boat race cheer up the participants, lay bets and encourage the boatmen to row as fast as possible. This heightens the enthusiasm of the participants who fight with all their might to win the race. The scene of boats racing through the waters on the rhythm of drums and cymbals is simply picturesque. The boats used for the race are popularly known as snake boats as they are designed to resemble a snake. They are 30 to 60 m in length with cone shaped  helms tapering several metres above the water. The boat can accommodate around 120 boatmen.

The Pamba River in the Kuttanad region comes alive with boat races with the arrival of the famous harvest festival Onam. Celebrated with great joy and passion the Onam festival becomes more exciting with the boat races. The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race hosted at the Champakulam Lake is an admirable event. It is associated with the Shree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. Another popular boat race event is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race which is held at Alappuzha on the Punnamada Lake on 14th August every year.