Alappuzha

BOAT RACES

It is during the months of August and September that the moist, rain-drenched earth and the glorious everflowing backwaters burst into a song together, as over a hundred thousand men and women gather on the banks to witness a spectacular water regatta - the SNAKE BOAT RACES. Boat race crew begin to practice for the race months before the great day. They live together, eat together, toil together to work themselves into a smooth, co-ordinated team.

A splendid procession unfolds with all types of 'Kali-Vallangal' or RACING BOATS, led by the largest and the most majestic of them, the 'Chundan'. Its rowers sing songs known as ' vanchi pattu ' to the rhythm of the oars - a feast for the eyes and the ears. The largest of the 'Chundan' boats, the length of which varies between a hundred and a hundred and thirty feet can seat a hundred and twenty rowers, sixty on each side. Like the neck of an angry snake it curves to a height of fifteen to twenty feet. The prow is pointed and stands four feet above the water with its glistening brass embellishments. The main steerman of the boat stands on the amaram with specially made long oars. The efficiency with which they handle the oar is what establishes the speed of the boat and its balance. They claim that a single strong plunge of the oar into the water can take the boat three leaps forward to a distance of thirty feet.

NEHRU TROPHY BOAT RACE

The most famous of these is the NEHRU TROPHY BOAT RACE on the Second Saturday of August every year.There are a dozen other Snake Boat Races. The latest addition is the one in connection with the GREAT ELEPHANT MARCH held on 19th of January every year. Champakulam, Kavalam, Karichal, Jawahar Thayangari, Kallooparamban, Pacha, Pulincunnu, Nedubhagam, Cheruthana, Kandangari and Paippad are the chief competitors for the trophies. Large and spectacular chundans glide towards the finishing line like meteors in the sky with water splashing violently on both sides like streaks of lightning. An unforgettable and truly spectacular scene. The fund of energy, spirit of competition and unerring co-ordination makes this sport one of the most dynamic.

On the boat race day, the Chundan Valloms are smeared with a special oil to make them glide effortlessly through water. The crew then visit a shrine carrying the stroke and largest steering oar with them. And having offered prayers to the Almighty, they are ready to war with their fellow men. The air crackles with excitement as the best of the 130 feet Chundan Valloms, each manned by over a hundred rowers, fly through the waters at break neck speed, egged on by the fierce competitive spirit that marks the event and the spectators lusty roars.

Photo Gallery

Other Boat Races are

* Tourism Boat Race: Connected with Great Elephant March- 11th January.

* Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race: Pulimkunnu- August Last Saturday

* Champakulam Boat Race: Connected with the Asterism "Moolam" of Midhunam, a malayalam month- June-July.

* Neerattupuram Boat Race: Conducted during Onam days- August-Sep.

* Kettukazhcha: Chettikulangara- February-March.

* 'Kettukazhcha' is very famous and it is a procession of tall decorated structures in chariots in which effigies of horses, bullocks are displayed.

* Pamba Boat Race: Thiruvalla.

* Karuvatta Boat Race: Haripad.

* Mannar Boat Race.