The season of boat races will begin in Alappuzha on July 1 with the magnificent opening of the Chambakkulam regatta. The boat race season is a festive occasion for the local populace while it offers a grand spectacle for domestic and foreign tourists.
Alappuzha, famed for its picturesque waterbodies, will play host to a number of boat races during the coming months. The Chambakkulam boat race is held on the Moolam star in the month of ‘Mithunam’ in the Malayalam calendar. The boat race is also considered the harbinger of the Onam festival.
In the days ahead, boat races of varied hues will be celebrated at places such as Neerettupuram, Pulinkunnu, Karuvatta, Haripad, Mannar, and Kayamkulam. As usual, the Nehru trophy boat race at Punnamada in August will be the most prestigious event among the boat races.
The Chambakkulam boat race commemorates the installation of the idol at the Krishna temple at Ambalappuzha.
It rekindles memories of the festivities of yesteryear, which started with the Champakasserry king bringing the idol from Changanasserry to Ambalappuzha with the participation of all communities. The tradition of paying respects to the Kalloorkkad church and the Mappilasserry ‘tharavad’ at Chambakkulam has continued over the years.
This year’s preparations for the Chambakkulam boat race have begun with a ‘proclamation rally’ at the Karuvankulam temple in Changanasserry, said D.Balamurali, Alappuzha Sub-Collector and chairman of the Moolam boat race committee.
A cultural procession would be taken out on Tuesday from Chambakkulam Father Thomas Porukkara Central School to the Chambakkulam bus stand. The extravaganza would have traditional events such as Amman kudam, Garudan parava, Mayilattam, and colourful floats depicting the rich cultural heritage.
Mr.Balamurali said the boat race committee had been able to organise the festival with limited government aid. The total outgo is estimated at Rs.15 lakh as the participating teams had to be paid a bonus of over Rs.9 lakh. The government was providing an aid of Rs.3 lakh.
There will be participation of 19 boats, including five ‘chundan valloms’ (snake boats) capable of accommodating over 100 oarsmen each.
Smaller ones called ‘churulan’, ‘oadi’ and ‘veppu’ are the other categories of boats taking part in the race.
Proclamation rally of race held
19 boats to compete in race
