Event Date :9-08-2008

One of the traditional spectacles of Kerala, the Aranmula Boat Race is a world renowned and highly popular event, held on the Pampa River near the Sree Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula. Held during the harvest festival of Onam, majestic and elegantly decorated snake boats take part in the boat race, which is also an occasion for grand social get together. The race is preceded by several traditional practices in the form of offerings and prayers to Lord Krishna, the main deity of the Sree Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula. 

Prior to the race, the snake boats participate in a grand procession with oarsmen and singers on board holding colourful and sequined parasols and festoons. Each snake boat is about 100 feet long and accommodates four helmsmen, nearly 100 oarsmen and a group of singers who provide rhythm to the oarsmen helping them to maintain the pace while they paddle.

Getting there:
Nearest Railway Station: Chengannur, about 10 km away.
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 115 km away.

Disclaimer : In Kerala, some of the festival dates are decided in accordance with the Malayalam Calendar. Local practices also influence the dates of some traditional, customary and auspicious events. Being the case, the dates appearing in this section are approximate, which the users need to confirm with the local authorities

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