As the state of Kerala comes alive with festivities during the Onam season, Snake boat races (locally called Vallamkali) are organized in the glorious backwaters of this region. The race is celebrated as an ode to the Gods, to celebrate the harvest.
The Vallamkali boat race attracts tourists from around the world to the riverbanks who cheer skilled rowers as they sail through the waters. This enticing boat race has its associated charm dating back to the 13th century. One of the Kings commissioned the construction of a war boat called the Chundanvallam. Among all the snake boats made during that time, the Parthasarathi Chundan is the oldest.
Stories also have it that when the head of a Namboodiri family stood praying to Lord Krishna while waiting for a poor man to pass by whom he could feed, Lord Krishna himself appeared to the Brahmin as a poor boy. The boy later disappeared only to appear at the Aranmula Temple. The Brahmin, who realized that the boy was an incarnation of God, returned to the temple each year with food in a fleet of snake boats. Snake Boats gained popularity, and the race emerged.
The Vallamkali is celebrated with incomparable enthusiasm every year. The Vallam (boat) is about 100 feet long, has a seating capacity of about 150, and has curled ends shaped like the hood of a cobra. The villagers maintain the snake boat in good condition throughout the year in anticipation of participation in the event. The boats, embellished with beautiful adornments, symbolize the town’s prosperity. To win the race is a matter of great honor.
The race begins after prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu. Around 30 boats elaborately decorated with adornments and flowers from the Pooja race on a stretch of water approximately 40 km long. As the air brims with the Vanchipattu, The rowers sing the Vanchipattu, it imbues the ambience with exhilaration, and people cheer for their team. Each Snake boat carries around 125 oarsmen, the rest of the occupants being helmspersons and singers. Synchronization between the team members is essential to avert the boat from tumbling. The winning boat gets to escort the Palliodam, a boat that dispenses food along the river banks.
Several boat races are held in Kerala. Though the South of Kerala is more famous for the Snake Boat Race, the race is increasingly being organized throughout North Kerala during the Onam Season. The enthralling harmonization with which the rowers move captivates the audience. This race is not only a sport but a pure form of art and a display of team spirit.