Boat Race Festival in Kerala

Boat Race or ‘VallamKalli’ is one of the most vigorously celebrated festivals in Kerala. An annual festival in God’s Own Country, it is a traditional boat race that is held during Kerala’s harvest festival ‘Onam’, and is celebrated by locals from all religious background.

During the harvest festival, locals gather up around the silent backwaters of Kerala in Thayathangadi, Aranmula and Papiyad to participate in a gala event called ‘Snake Boat Festival’. Locals gather backwaters and plunge into the traditional boats or the ‘VallomKallies’ to participate in boat rowing competition.

In addition to the locals, foreigners also visit these locations to enjoy and delight in the revelry of these traditional boat races. Among all the boat races, ‘Nehru Trophy Boat Race’ is the most popular competition followed by the ‘ChampakulamMoolam Boat Race which is revered as the oldest traditional boat race festival in Kerala. For the visitors, attending boat race festival is a must while on a Kerala trip!

Celebrated Across:Alleppey, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Kumarakom, and others
Celebration Month:June to September
Last Celebrated On:Variable Dates
Next Celebration On:Variable Dates