Aranmula Boat Race

Aranmula Boat Race, the oldest river boat festival in Kerala and it is held during Onam, at Aranmula. The snake boats moves in duos to the rhythm of full throat singing of the oarsmen dressed in white mundu and turbans and shouting of the excited crowd.

Palliyodams are Aranmula’s unique snake boats (‘’Chundan Vallam’’) which devotees consider it as the divine vessel of the presiding deity in Sree Parthasarathy temple. The golden lace at the head of the boat, the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the center make it a show of pageantry.

Thousands of people gather on the banks of the River Pampa to watch the race.