Vallam Kali
Vallam Kali (or Vallamkali) literally means boat game (race) in Malayalam. It is the traditional boat race in Kerala (a state in south India).It is mainly conducted during the season of the harvest festival Onam in Autumn. Vallam Kali include races of many kinds of traditional boats of Kerala. The race of Chundan Vallam (snake boat) is the major item. Hence Vallam Kali is also known in English as Snake Boat Race and a major tourist attraction. Other types of boats which do participate in various events in the race are Churulan Vallam, Iruttukuthy Vallam, Odi Vallam, Veppu Vallam (Vaipu Vallam), Vadakkanody Vallam, Kochu Vallam.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a popular Vallam Kali held in the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha, Kerala. Vallam Kali or Vallamkali literally means boat play/game, but can be translated to boat race in Malayalam. The most popular event of the race is the competition of Chundan Vallams (Snake Boats). Hence the race is also known as Snake Boat Race in English. Other types boats which participate in various events of the race are Churulan Vallam, Iruttukuthy Vallam, Odi Vallam, Veppu Vallam (Vaipu Vallam), Vadakkanody Vallam and Kochu Vallam.
The race conducted on the second Saturday of August every year is a major tourist attraction.
How this boat race got the name
The race conducted on the second Saturday of August every year is a major tourist attraction.
How this boat race got the name
Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of Independent India visited Kerala in 1952. He was given a roaring reception by the people of Alleppey, escorted by the huge snake-boats. Having gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat Jawaharlal Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner of the race. The trophy is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the following words are inscribed.
To the winner of the boat-race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore-Cochin.
The 100-120 feet long boats made of a forest wood locally called "Aanjili thadi" carrying 90- 110 sailors which moves like a snake through the channels (hence the name), is an eye catching sight for any tourist. The Chundan Vallam also has the record as "the biggest water vessel used for sports purpose" .
The 100-120 feet long boats made of a forest wood locally called "Aanjili thadi" carrying 90- 110 sailors which moves like a snake through the channels (hence the name), is an eye catching sight for any tourist. The Chundan Vallam also has the record as "the biggest water vessel used for sports purpose" .
Kaarichaal, Chambakulam, Paayipaadu, Kaavalam, Alapaatu, Aanari, Cheruthana, Aayaparambu, St.George, Jawahar thaayankari, Vallamkulangara, Sri.Ganesh, Paarthasarathy are the popular teams who participate in the Chundan Vallam category.
Other renowned boat races in Kerala
Other renowned boat races in Kerala
Indira Gandhi Boat Race
Champakulam Moolam Boat Race
Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali
Payippad Jalotsavam
Kumarakom Boat Race
Champakulam Moolam Boat Race
Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali
Payippad Jalotsavam
Kumarakom Boat Race
Indira Gandhi Boat Race
Indira Gandhi Boat Race is a boat race festival celebrated in the last week of December in the backwaters of Kochi, a town in Kerala, south India. This boat race is one of the most popular vallam Kali (snake boat race) in Kerala. This festival is conducted to promote Kerala tourism. This race with its heart throbbing rhythm of drum music provides an unforgettable experience to the spectators.
The trophy of the race was instituted in memory of Indira Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India.
The trophy of the race was instituted in memory of Indira Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India.
Champakulam Moolam Boat Race
Champakulam Moolam Boat Race This boat race is the oldest and most popular vallam kali (snake boat race) in Kerala state of south India. The race is held on river Pampa on the moolam day (according to the Malayalam Era M.E) of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple.
The Legend
King of Chempakasseri, Devanarayana, built a temple at Ambalappuzha as instructed by the royal priest, but just before the installation of the deity he was informed that the idol was not auspicious.
The Legend
King of Chempakasseri, Devanarayana, built a temple at Ambalappuzha as instructed by the royal priest, but just before the installation of the deity he was informed that the idol was not auspicious.
The vigraha (idol) had be installed, the only solution to which was to bring idol of Sree Krishna from the Karikulam temple in Kurichi. This idol was believed to be given to Arjuna by Lord Krishna himself. After getting the idol from Karikulam temple and returning back to Ambalappuzha the kings minister and others stopped at Champakulam to spend 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 is held in various stages for various categories of boats.
Aranmula Boat Race
Snake Boat in Kerala
Snake Boat in Kerala
The Aranmula Boat Race takes place at Aranmula, India near a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna. Thousands of people gather on the banks of the river Pampa to watch the snake boat races. Nearly 30 snake boats or "chundan vallams" participate in the festival. The oarsmen sing traditional boat songs and wear white dhotis and turbans. The golden lace at the head of the boat, the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the center make it a show of pageantry too.
Each snake boat belongs to a village along the banks of the river Pampa. Every year the boats are oiled mainly with fish oil, coconut shell, and carbon, mixed with eggs to keep the wood strong and the boat slippery in the water. The village carpenter carries out annual repairs and people take pride in their boat, which is named after and represents their village.
Payippadu Vallam Kali
Payippad Vallaarattu or Jalotsavam is a three day water festival. Its conducted in Payippad Lake which is 35 km from Alappuzha district of Kerala state in south India. There is a close relation between this Payippadu Vallam Kali and Subramanya Swamy Temple in Haripad.
The legend
The people of the Haripad village decided to build a Sree Ayyappan temple. Before the installation of the idol the people had a vision that they should install the idol of Sri Subramanya Swamy which they will find in the Kayamkulam river. The exact location of the idol will be under a whirlpool in the river. The people found the idol as per the vision and brought back Subramanya vigrah in a boat, escorted by the devotees in other boats ceremoniously. In remembrance of this event a three day water festival is conducted each year, the famous Payippad Jalotsavam.
The legend
The people of the Haripad village decided to build a Sree Ayyappan temple. Before the installation of the idol the people had a vision that they should install the idol of Sri Subramanya Swamy which they will find in the Kayamkulam river. The exact location of the idol will be under a whirlpool in the river. The people found the idol as per the vision and brought back Subramanya vigrah in a boat, escorted by the devotees in other boats ceremoniously. In remembrance of this event a three day water festival is conducted each year, the famous Payippad Jalotsavam.
Sree Narayana Jayanthi Boat Race
Sree Narayana Jayanthi Vallam Kali or Boat Race, at Kumarakom, Kerala is held on month of September every year during Onam feastival. More than 1000 oarsmen in boats of different sizes and shapes will participate in this event. Even though Snake Boats participate in this race, the importance is given here is for iruttukuthi, in which about 50 oarsmen row. The Successful iruttukuthi will win The Sree Narayana Ever Rolling Trophy.
A procession before Kumarakom boat race
Origin
It was in 1903 that the Sree Narayana Guru arrived at Kumarakom to consecrate an idol of Sri Balasubrahmonia Swamy at the Kumaramangalom Temple. In fact, it was after much hesitation that he agreed to consecrate the idol as he was more interested in starting a school at the backward village. Eventually, both the school and the temple were started as per the wish of the Guru. The arrival of the Guru was a great day of celebration for the people of this nondescript village by the Vembanad lake and they welcomed the sage into their midst, accompanying him in their boats in a procession. To commemorate this event, for the past many decades, a boat race, preceded by a boat procession are being held as part of the Sri Narayana Jayanthi celebrations at Kumarakom.
Celebrations
The day will begin with special pujas at the Kumaramangalom Temple . This will be followed by Gurupuja and Gurupushpanjali at the Gurumandiram. Arts and sports competitions for children will be held as part of the celebrations during the forenoon. The Kumarakom boat race will commence. Prior to this, the grand procession of country boats carrying a portrait of Sree Narayana Guru and the thidampu from Kumaramangalom Temple will be held up to Kottathodu, the venue of the boat race. The celebrations are scheduled to conclude with a public meeting and distribution of prizes for the winners.
