A complete showcase on India and a in-depth focus into its culture, diversity, heritage, history and every detail to the minutest that a traveller to India would want to know. Get to know the mysterious Indian even before you get there!
The major attraction of Kerala can be said to be the snake boat race (Vallamkali) a sport that displays excellent team spirit, integration and amity of people of Kerala. Snake boat races are usually held in connection with Onam, the harvest festival in August/September. Scores of long snake boats and other smaller crafts participate in this event. The largest team sport in the world, the snake boat races are preceded by colourful water parades.
Usually a snake boat is manned by 4 helmsmen, 25 singers and anything between 100-125 oarsmen who row in unison to the fast rhythm of the vanchipattu (song of the boatman). Thousands of people crowd the water's edge to cheer the huge black crafts as they race through the placid waters to the finishing point.
© Copyright 2009 visitindia.org.in
Kerala, the state with the highest amount of literates in India, is situated on the south-west coast of India, sandwiched between the Lakshadweep Sea and the Western Ghats. It is a green fertile land dotted with rice fields, coconut palms, cahewnut trees and mango farms.
___________________________________________
The oldest of these events have curious legends and myths attached to their origin. Myths closely linked to the rustic people and their beliefs.
The oldest and most important events in this connection are the
- Champakulam Moolam Boat Race (July)
- Aranmula Uttrattadi Vallamkali (September)
- Payippad Jalotsavam (August)
- Nehru Trophy Boat Race (August)
The other boat races held during Onam ie (August/ September) are
- ATDC Boat Race - Allapuzha
- Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race - Pulikunnu
- Neerettupuram Boat Race
- Kumarakom Boat Race
- Karuvatta Boat Race
- Kavanattinkara Boat Race - Kumarakom
- Arpookara Vanitha Jalamela - Kottayam
- Mahatma Boat Race - Mannar
- Thazhathangadi Boat Race - Kottayam
- Kottapuram Boat Race - Kodungaloor
- Kumarasan Smaraka Jalotsavam - Pallana
The Indira Gandhi Boat Race is held on the Ernakulam Lake during the Cochin Carnival in the last week of December.
