Kerala State Is Always Famous For Snake Boat Races-Champakulam

SNAKE BOAT RACE

AT

CHAMPAKULAM

 Champakulam is located in Alappuzha of the state of Kerala. it is an important tourist spot and the famous for the moolam boat race.

 Kerala state is always famous for snake boat races. This is main attraction of tourism in our state. The boat festival season in our God's own country begins with Champakulam Boat race. This is one of the most popular boat races in our state that attracts tourists from different parts of the world.

Champakulam Boat Race Alappuzha is one of the oldest sports festivals held on the river Pamba. History supports that this heritage boat festival had started from middle of 16th Century.

Now this has become a yearly event and is held on the month of June in the daytime. According to record the event was initiated in the year 1545. Till date this Champakulam Boat at Alappuzha starts the beginning of the boat race season in Kerala.

 As a leading event as well as for its grandeur, the boat is extremely famous and pulls thousands of tourists for watching the race live.

Originally, the boat race was called Champakkulam Moolam Vallam Kali. Presently, the race is organized on the Malayalam month midhunam on moolam day.

Presently the race is organized by Champakulam boat race society headed by district collector. Different categories of boats are used for taking part in this boat race.

 Some of the most known boat categories are chundan (snake boat), veppu, iruttu kuthi, churulan. Among all these categories, chundan (snake boat) are found most decorated and grab spectators’ attention.

It is said that the Raja of Chempakasseri, Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan, constructed a temple at Ambalappuzha as recommended by the regal astrologers, but just before the consecration of the deity (Lord Krishna) he was informed that the idol was not auspicious.

The king arranged an idol and the day when the idol was consecrated started the convention of Champakulam Boat Race Alappuzha.

Now this boat race is celebrated with great enthusiasm and grandeur. People from all Conners of Kerala come to watch this spectacular event. Venturous spirited spectators mostly confirm a better watching point by climbing the nearby trees around the river.

A sum total of 19 boats are mostly found offering participation under various categories for the race. The event also includes exotic water floats, boats ornamented with colorful parasols, and several performing artists. Punnamada Resort can offer wonderful and comfortable arrangement for watching this boat race as a part of backwater tour.

Nearest railway station: Alappuzha about 26 km away.

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha.