The famed Champakulam Moolam boat race held on July 12 within the expansive Pampa River close to Champakulam village in Alapuzha district marked the official begin of Kerala’s snake boat racing season that can have vacationers flocking to the backwaters of Central Kerala, the place many of the races are held. Contemplating the muted proceedings within the final two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers and boat golf equipment hope to revive the famed frenzy round snake boat races this season.
Popularly known as Vallamkali, boat races start proper after the primary section of monsoon with the Champakulam boat race. Historically, the races are performed through the harvest season and are sometimes related to the Onam competition through the August-September interval.
Here’s a record of the primary races:
Kumarakom boat race
Location: Kumarakom, Kottayam district
Nearest railway station: Kottayam (15 km)
Nearest airport: Cochin Worldwide Airport (78 km)
Date: September 10, 2022
Whereas most boat racing occasions in Kerala are both ritualistic or purely aggressive, Kumarakom race, aka Sree Narayana Jayanthi boat race, is to commemorate the nice social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. He’s stated to have visited Kumarakom in 1903, in a ship from Alappuzha. The race celebrates the reminiscence of this go to.
As a part of the occasion, a grand processession of nation boats carry the Guru’s portrait from Sree Kumaramangalam Temple, which the Guru established, to Kottathodu, the venue of the race. It’s often held on the Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi day.
Nehru Trophy boat race
A snake boat competing within the 2019 Nehru Trophy Boat Race
| Picture Credit score: VIBHU H
Location: Punnamada, Alappuzha district
Nearest railway station: Alappuzha (7 km)
Nearest airport: Cochin Worldwide Airport (83 km)
Date: September 4, 2022
Arguably probably the most prestigious and watched race of the season, it’s often held on the second Saturday of August yearly and a lot of individuals collect on the banks of Punnamada Lake to look at 100 ft lengthy snake boats racing to the tune of outdated boat songs. Nonetheless, this 12 months, it will likely be held on September 4.
Because the title of the trophy suggests, the primary race was held in 1952 when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was on a go to to Alappuzha. He’s stated to have been so thrilled by the sight of the majestic snake boats that he leapt onto one of many snake boats, Nadubhagam Chundan, ignoring his safety cowl. After returning to Delhi, he donated a silver duplicate of a snake boat on a picket abacus. Therefore the title Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
Payippad Jalotsavam
Location: Payippad, Alappuzha district
Nearest railway station: Haripad (5 km)
Nearest airport: Cochin Worldwide Airport (115 km)
Date: September 8 to 10, 2022
Held to commemorate the set up of the idol at Haripad Subramanya Swamy temple, it’s performed on the Payippad river close to Payippad village in Alappuzha district. The three-day water competition usually hosts the biggest variety of snake boats after the Nehru Trophy race. This 12 months, the primary race can be on September 10.
Aranmula boat race
Aranmula boat race
| Picture Credit score: JAYAKRISHNAN OMALLOOR
Location: Aranmula, Pathanamthitta district
Nearest railway station: Chengannur (10 km)
Nearest airport: Trivandrum Worldwide Airport (115 km)
Date: September 11, 2022
That is the oldest river boat festival of Kerala, and is extra of a ritual than an precise race. It’s believed that way back marauders from the hills attacked the boat that set off from Kattoor Mana carrying provisions for the feast to be served on the Aranmula Parthasarathy temple on the day of Thiruvonam. When the native households within the neighborhood of the temple got here to learn about it, they set off of their boats, chased off the attackers and accompanied the Thiruvonathoni (Thiruvonam boat) to the temple. Yearly, the Aranmula Vallamkali competition recreates that legend. The precise race is held on the Uthrittathi day, the day after Thiruvonam.
President’s Trophy boat race
Location: Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam
Nearest railway station: Kollam (1.5 km)
Nearest airport: Trivandrum Worldwide Airport (67 km)
Date: November 26, 2022
One of many last boat races of the season can also be one of many largest with a golden-plated trophy and a prime prize of ₹10 lacs awaiting the winner. It’s held in November on a 1250 m lengthy water column within the expansive Ashtamudi lake in Kollam, and is the ultimate race of the Champions Boat League that kicks off with Nehru Trophy.
Champions boat league
Snake boats compete in fifth leg of the 2019 Champions Boat League (CBL) organised by Kerala Tourism at Marine Drive in Kochi, Ernakulam district
| Picture Credit score: THULASI KAKKAT
On this annual sporting event involving 12 races, organised by Kerala Tourism to preserve and promote boat racing, the snake boat workforce with probably the most factors after the ultimate race wins the league. The league kicks off with the celebrated Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha, and ends with the President’s Trophy Boat Race in Kollam.
The debut version, flagged off by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan within the presence of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in August 2019, featured 9 groups. Tropical Titans (historically, Pallathuruthy Boat Membership) had received by scoring 173 factors, adopted by Raging Rowers (Karichal) and Mighty Oars (NCDC Devas).
This 12 months, moreover the 12 races, there can even be an allied competitors that includes small boats on the Chaliyar river in Kozhikode district.
Schedule of 2022 races within the order they’re held:
- Nehru Trophy | Punnamada, Alappuzha | September 4
- Thazhathangadi, Kottayam | September 17
- Pulinkunnu, Alappuzha | September 24
- Piravom, Ernakulam | October 1
- Marine Drive, Ernakulam | October 8
- Kottappuram, Thrissur | October 15
- Kainakari, Alappuzha | October 22
- Karuvatta, Alappuzha | October 29
- Pandanadu, Alappuzha | November 5
- Kayamkulam, Alappuzha | November 12
- Kallada, Kollam | November 19
- President’s Trophy | Ashtamudi lake, Kollam | November 26
For updates and reserving tickets: Champions Boat League website
