The oldest and most popular
snake boat race in Kerala, this event is closely
connected to the Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. The race is held on the Champakulam Lake on the
moolam day of the Malayalam month
midhunam,
the day of the installation of the deity at the Temple. Legends say that Maharaja Devanarayana of Chempakasseri, as instructed by the royal priest, built a temple at Ambalappuzha. But just before the
installation of the
deity he was informed that the idol was not auspicious. The king was disturbed,
but his minister suggested an inspired solution. To bring down the beautiful idol
of Sree Krishna - presented to Arjuna by the Lord himself, from the Karikulam
temple in Kurichi.
The minister with a few others went to Kurichi, met the authorities there and returned with the idol. On the way back they stopped at Champakulam to spent 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 proper is held
in various stages for various categories of boats.
Alappuzha 11 August 2001,
Aug 10 2002 The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is one of those events which the people of Kerala
look forward to with excitement. Thousands of Keralites - men, women and children - throng the watersides of Alappuzha
to witness the spectacle. Pavilions are set up for spectators on the banks and in the middle of the Punnamada Lake - the venue of the race.
This boat race is so named because the trophy for the winners was instituted
by
former Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Over 16 chundan vallams
participate in the race along with scores of smaller crafts like the churulan, veppu, odi etc., with a prize for each category. There are separate races for women too. The race begins
with a colourful
pageant of floats, performing arts and decorated boats. And goes on late into the evening.
Aranmula, Pathanamthitta district, 5 Sep 2001 The two day Aranmula Boat Race is more a water fiesta than a competition, Today, only 26 snake boats participate in the event which is marked by a colourful water carnival - an imposing effigy of Sree Krishna is taken
out in procession on the lake with children dressed as nymphs and princesses. On the second day, snake
boats decorated with
silken parasols, carrying helmsmen, oarsmen and singers assemble near
the temple early in the morning and then move away in pairs,
creating a magnificent pageant. The boat race proper is held in the afternoon. *
Parthasarathy is Sree Krishna
The three day annual fiesta on the Payippad Lake, 35 km from Alappuzha, commemorates the installation of the deity at the Subramanya Swamy Temple, Haripad. The story is that the people of the village decided to build a temple with Sree Ayyappa as the presiding deity. After the temple was ready, they had a vision directing them to a whirlpool in Kayamkulam Lake where they would find the idol of Sree Subramanya which was to be installed at the temple. Accordingly, the elders of the village with divers and swimmers rowed to the spot and found the idol which was escorted back ceremoniously by devotees from the entire region in colourfully
The boats of Kerala are known after their shapes, sizes or purposes. The chundan vallam is so called because of its pointed prow. The term snake boat comes from its stern which represents the raised hood of a snake and its length - usually 50 to 150 feet. The stern is majestically caparisoned and decorated with a flag and brass ornaments. Silken parasols are arrayed along the entire length of the boat.
One of the five temple towns in Kerala dedicated to Sree Krishna. Legend has it that the image of the deity was brought to the town on five bamboo poles, the words for which gave the town its name. Aranmula is world famous for its unique metal mirror craft using an alloy of copper, silver, bronze and lead. The kannadi (mirror) is priced between Rs. 300 & 3000.  |