The rivers and backwaters have finally come to life with the Champakulam Moolam boat race marking the start of the snake boat-racing season in Kerala on 12 July 2022. The races will mostly be held in the vast Pampa River near Champakulam village in the Alappuzha district. Boat races, locally known as Vallamkali in Kerala, are totally thrilling for both the rowers and the audiences. Tourists visiting the race will surely have the time of their lives seeing hundreds of men row their snake boats head to head with all their might! And the two-year pandemic break surely must have given all the rowers and the boat clubs a new zeal! Read on to know more details about the main races of the Kerala boat race this year!
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is one of the most important snake boat races in Kerala. It is held on the second Saturday of August every year and draws in a massive crowd. However, this year the race will be held on September 4, 2022 in Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha.
How To Reach:
The nearest railway station is Alappuzha, just 7 km from the venue while the nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport, 83 km from the venue.
Payippad Boat Race
The Payippad Boat Race is one of the most anticipated snake boat races in Kerala. This year the race will kick start on September 8 and end on September 10, 2022. The race commemorates the installation of the idol at the Subramanya Swamy Temple and is held every year on the Payippad River in Alappuzha.
How To Reach:
The Nearest railway station is Haripad, about 5 km while the nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport, about 85 km.
AND THE WINNER IS….
The boat-racing season is open in God’s Own Country! The Champakulam Moolam boat race was held on Tuesday and the Champakulam Chundan team lifted the Raja Pramukhan Trophy. #BoatRace #Kerala #PackUpForKerala #KeralaTourism
PC: @CNNnews18 pic.twitter.com/HMgovvEjkw
— Kerala Tourism (@KeralaTourism) July 13, 2022
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Kumarakom Boat Race
Kumarakom Boat race commemorates the great social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. During the race, the spectators witness a grand procession of country boats carrying the Guru’s portrait from Sree Kumaramangalam Temple to Kokkathodu, the venue of the race. This year, the race will be held on September 10, in Kumarakom, Kottayam district.
How To Reach:
The nearest railway station is Kottayam, 15 km, while the nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport, 78 km.
A Joint team of ITBP & Kerala Police won the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race (Kerala Snake Boat) (1500 Mtrs) on 12 July, 2022. 9 teams participated in the race which marks the annual boat racing season in Kerela. #Himveers pic.twitter.com/efCqY67s3d
— ITBP (@ITBP_official) July 15, 2022
Aranmula Boat Race
This year, the Aranmula Boat Race will be held on September 11, in Aranmula, Pathanamthitta district. This is one of the oldest river boat races in Kerala. With rows of boats competing against each other, the boat race is a sight to behold! Spectators are always eager to witness the Aranmula Boat race.
How To Reach:
The nearest railway station is Chengannur, 10 km, while the nearest airport is the Trivandrum International Airport, 115 km.
Champions Boat League
The Champions Boat League is a visual treat for the spectators of the boat race. The main objective of this event is to boost tourism in Kerala globally and to keep alive Kerala’s traditional festivals.
This year the league will kick start on September 4 and end on November 26, 2022, in the Kerala backwaters.
How To Reach:
The event is conducted in different venues across the state. So once you reach Kerala, you can decide which venue to attend at your convenience.
Battleships are being readied as battle-hardened veterans practise and battle songs resound in the air! The 2nd edition of the #ChampionsBoatLeague will be held from September 4 to November 26. #BoatRace #KeralaBackwaters #PackUpForKerala #KeralalTourism pic.twitter.com/jeRuho1jIc
— Kerala Tourism (@KeralaTourism) July 15, 2022
President’s Trophy Boat Race
President’s Trophy Boat Race is the most celebrated and final snake boat race in Kerala. This year the boat race will be held on November 26, in the peaceful waters of Ashtamudi Lake. It’s one of the best races to end the 400-year-old tradition of snake boat races in Kerala.
How To Reach:
The nearest railway station is Kollam, 1.5 km, while the nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, 67 km.
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