Aranmula Vallamkali, Ponmudi, Kerala India

Aranmula Boat Race, often known as Kerala Boat Festival is one of the glorious occasions of Kerala and is the unique feature of the backwaters of Kerala. Much famous all over the world, it has become the icon of Kerala and attracts of thousands of tourists to the state. A dramatic spectacle on the Pamba River in the Kuttanad region at Aranmula, the water water carnival and snake boat race is the one of the most joyous even held in the week of the great harvest festival of Onam. Undoubtedly, it is Kerala's most important celebration and the stately snake boats of Aranmula called 'Palliyodams' form part of an age-old temple ritual. The legend says that once pirates plundered a small boat carrying offerings to the Krishna temple here. That night, Lord Krishna appeared in the dream of his devotee who was very distraught over the incident and advised him that he should build much larger boats that can be rowed by a hundred to hundred and fifty skilled oarsmen. These boats will surely glide swiftly in water and could outrun any pirate boats in the vicinity thus making them safer. This is how the speedy 'Chundan' or snake boats are said to be conceptualized that were later modified into different types of snake boats.

The legend forms the basis of almost all the snake boat races and the boat festival of Kerala. The villagers owning the boats are proud of them and take good care of them. Built by the master boat builders, the ingenious boat-building techniques are passed on from generation to generation. These handmade boats are crafted with great care and the first critical trial run of a new boat is the village event where hundreds of curious and eager onlookers come to see its performance. Today more than 40 snake boats take part in the race. The Aranmula Boat Race is held annually, often during August or September and is part of the Aaranmula Temple festival. The snake boats are about 100 feet long. The snake boats are so called because their curved stem resembles the hood of a snake and a tampering bow. During this occasion, all the boats are adorned with silk and golden glittery umbrellas and there is a crew of more than 100 men rowing the boat. Besides the speed, it is the graceful rhythmic movements of the boat and the oarsmen that look amazing.

Aranmula Vallamkali is an annual water sports meet especially for boat races held in Aranmula district Kerela. The water fiesta is organized during Onam in the month of September. This world famous fiesta owes its origin to the Sree Parthasarathy Temple situated on the banks of the Pamba River.
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Vallamkali refers to the boat race competition that is held during the last two days of the festival. The participants, who are trained to row these boats, compete not merely for winning the competition but to celebrate the anniversary of the Sri Krishna idol installation, the main diety at the Aranmula Parthasarathy temple. As according to history Lord Krishna crossed river Pamba, the race is conducted in the Pamba River in front of the temple to commemorate the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna.

This annual event attracts tourists from all over the world. The snake boats that participate in this colorful carnival are called Palliyodams. The structure of these boats resemble snakes and are about 100 feet in length, with its front tapering, hood raised and the rear portion towering to a height of about 20 ft. During the races, about 39 to 41 of such boats participate in the event each accommodating about 120 people including oarsmen, singers and helmsmen. Colorful flags are fixed at the head of the boat and the colorful parasols at the center make it a spectacular show of pageantry too.

Apart from the famous boat races, other rituals include offering prayers to Lord Krishna early in the morning on the day of the boat race. At this time all boats assemble near the temple to seek blessings of Lord. After the morning prayers and other rituals, the race starts from the afternoon, with groups of men and singers all shouting and singing in a rhythmic manner.

A series of songs called “Vanchipattu” are sung throughout the races, while group of men row up and down the River. Decorated silk banners and golden umbrellas are carries along with the participants that provide a mystical environment to the festival of Aranmula Vallamkali. Palliyoda Seva Sangam isAranmula-Vallamkali.jpg the main organizer behind the annual water festival. Over the years even the Central Tourism Ministry has been providing financial assistance for preserving and promoting this legendary snake boat race, believed to be in existence for the past 1,000 years.

Traditionally, it is commanded by a Kaarnavan / Karanaadhan (Village leader) with First Adanayampu and under him there will be 3 main oarsmen who control the movement of the boat along with 12 feet long main rudder-oar (Adanayampu). Sitting two in row along the length of the Boat there will be the oarsmen, they row in rhythm of the vanchipattu (boatman's song). Standing on the platform in the middle of the boat, the main singer will lead the vanchipattu. A few singers will be with the main leader while others will stand at the middle between the oarsmen.  

 Boat Racing is one of the foremost cultural attractions in the beautiful state of Kerala. In God's Own Country, a large number of regattas are organized each year. A large number of people enthusiastically participate in this aquatic event not just as participants but also as viewers. The Aranmula Boat Race is held in Kerala with a great deal of fervor and vigor. 

According to legend, a devotee was once carrying offerings for Lord Krishna. Unfortunately his boat was looted. This broke his heart and in order to give him consolation, God himself appeared before him. He was advised to make larger boats so that they could be rowed by several men and could easily make its way through the water. This is how the snake boats originated. The people of Aranmula even believe that on the day of the race the boat possesses and shares some of the attributes of God.