Champakkulam Boat Race

Kerala is well-known for its water bodies that take the form of canals, backwaters and rivers. And there are regions in Kerala, where water dominates life of those living in its vicinity. The southern district of Alappuzha is one such region in Kerala that takes the credit of having a great amount of area under water. Some of the rivers rising in the highlands of the Western Ghats, flow down to join the vast stretches of backwaters and canals that crisscross the heart of Alappuzha and the nearby region of Kottayam. The backwaters of Alappuzha support a rich wealth of fish and are also home to several species of life forms, both inside and outside the water. Birds, both local as well as migratory ones, find these water bodies ideal for feeding, nesting and breeding. The local people look forward to these water bodies for food in the form of a variety of fish and also for livelihood. Talking about boat races and Alappuzha, we are getting close to the riveting annual boat race and one of the popular races in and around Alappuzha - the annual Champakulam boat race. It is the oldest Snake Boat Race in the State and kicks off the boat race season annually. The Pampa River plays host to this race held in Champakkulam, a village in Alappuzha district. Held normally in June or July, the crowds it draws are enormous. Massive boats splitting the waters apart as ancient boat songs are hummed make for an exhilarating experience. This is the event that kicks off the boat racing frenzy which takes over the State for the next few months.