KERALA BOAT FESTIVAL 2011

Fast facts - One of the well known festivals in India, Kerala Boat Festival brings out the rich tradition and diverse culture of the state of Kerala.

Did you know - Kerala Boat Festival is popularly known as Vallom Kallies. Some popular boat festivals are Nehru Trophy Boat Race and Champakulam Moolam Boat Race.

Must do - Witness the race and get a feel of the local tradition and culture of the state.

Kerala/Onam Boat Festival 2011 - 7th September 2011

One of the well known festivals in India, Kerala Boat Festival brings out the rich tradition and diverse culture of the state of Kerala. It is one of the biggest festivals in Kerala and is held every year. Kerala Boat Festival is celebrated by the people of Kerala with great zeal irrespective of any caste and religion.

The backwaters of Kerala offer a wonderful setting for various types of festival and boat races in Kerala. The Kerala boat festival is an event which showcases the culture of the state and brings out the excellent team spirit, integration and good relations of the people.

The boat festivals in Kerala are popularly known as Vallom Kallies. They are held every year in various parts of the state and thousands of people take part in them. Some popular places where Kerala boat festival are snake boat races are held are Thayathangadi near Kottayam, Aranmula on the Pamba River and Papiyad near Quilon. These boat races are held to mark the great harvest festival of Onam.

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is perhaps the biggest of the boat festivals in Kerala. Thousands of people look forward to this festival. The festival is held in Alappuzha and the venue is the Punnamada Lake. The participants decorate their boats which are of various shapes and try to row to their fullest to in over the other.

The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is also another popular Kerala Boat festival. It is the oldest snake boat race in the state. It is held on the Champakulam Lake on the moolam day of the Malayalam month of Midhunam and is dedicated to the installation of the deity of the Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha.

Boat Races of Kerala

Another, unparalleled attraction of God's Own Country. Another great event as important as the land’s ethos as the elephant pageant. A sport that signifies the excellent team spirit, integration and amity of the people of this backwater country. An occasions of great excitement that is a reflection of a vibrant people.

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 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.

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race

The oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala, and is closely connected to the Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. The race is held on the Champakulam Lake on the moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Temple.

Legends say that Maharaja Devanarayana of Chempakasseri, as instructed by the royal priest, built a temple at Ambalappuzha. But just before the installation of the deity he was informed that the idol was not auspicious. The king was disturbed, but his minister suggested an inspired solution. To bring down the beautiful idol of Sree Krishna - presented to Arjuna by the Lord himself, from the Karikulam temple in Kurichi. The minister with a few others went to Kurichi, met the authorities there and returned with the idol. On the way back they stopped at Champakulam to spent the night and perform a pooja. The next morning boats from the entire region assembled to escort the idol in a colourful, ceremonial procession through the lake to the Temple. Years later the pageant is still re-enacted with the same enthusiasm. An exotic procession of water floats, boats decorated with colourful parasols and performing arts greets the spectator before the race. The race proper is held in various stages for various categories of boats.

Tages : Boat Races in Kerala, Boat Race Festivals in Kerala, Boatraces in Kerala, Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Boat Racing in Kerala, Snake Boat Races, Snake Boats Races in Kerala, Boat Race in Kerala