Snake Boat Race

The boat races in Malayalam are generally called as ‘Vallam Kali’. They are traditional boat races which are conducted only in Kerala, in the southern part of India. The snake boat race is said to be the most important. The snake boats are traditional vessels which are called as ‘Chundan Vallam’. The boats used in this race usually measures up to 100 feet in length, with the rear portion towering to a height of 20 feet.

These wooden boats resemble the snake with its raised hood. The hull of the boat is built of planks which is 83 feet in length and 6 inches wide. Each boat belongs to a village and the villagers worship the boat and it is said that only men are suppose to touch the boat. The villagers use coconut shell carbon and fish oil to make the boat slippery in water. The other renowned boat races are Nehru Trophy boat race, Indira Gandhi Boat Race, Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali, and others.

The snake boat race is usually conducted in the month of September every year. The boat is decorated with a flag and brass ornaments. There would be approximately 95 oarsmen, 5 controllers and 10 Nilakkar – people to enhance the vigour and enthusiasm of the oarsmen. The boats are traditionally designed as a naval vessel which is used for the battles.