The famed Champakulam Moolam boat race held on July 12 in the expansive Pampa River near Champakulam village in Alapuzha district marked the official start of Kerala’s snake boat racing season that will have tourists flocking to the backwaters of Central Kerala, where most of the races are held. Considering the muted proceedings in the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers and boat clubs hope to revive the famed frenzy around snake boat races this season.
Popularly called Vallamkali, boat races begin right after the first phase of monsoon with the Champakulam boat race. Traditionally, the races are conducted during the harvest season and are often associated with the Onam festival during the August-September period.
Here is a list of the main races:
