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Home > Kerala Travel > Kerala Travel Guide > Alleppey Travel Guide > Events In Alleppey
Events In Alleppey
Champakulam Boat Race
Event Date : 2 Jul, 2004
Venue: Champakulam, about 26 km from Alappuzha.
Kerala, with its winding stretches of backwaters, is famous for its native boat races held in different parts of the State in the harvest season. The Champakulam boat race, held on July 2 this year, is the first one during this season and has a tradition of centuries.
The festivities include spectacular water floats, decorated boats, Vanchipattu - the song of the oarsmen and the most thrilling Chundanvallom race. Chundans are a category of boats over 100 feet in length with raised prows. They were first called snake boats by the foreign rulers.
How to get there:
Nearest railway station : Alappuzha.
Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha town
Bharani Festival
Event Date : 4 Mar, 2005
The Bharani asterism of the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February/March) is popularily called Kumbha Bharani or Bharani utsavam and is celebrated in most Bhagavathy temples in the State. The one-day annual Bharani utsavam at the Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple is a very popular event. The day is marked by special rituals, Kuthiyottam performances and Kettukazhcha processions. Kuthiyottam is a 1200 year old ritual performed by young boys. The group of boys observe certain austerities and are led by a man who teaches them the rituals. On the day of the Kuthiyottam performance these boys, with their bodies wound with silver wire, one end tied around the neck and the other fixed on the top of a knife held high over the head, are taken on a procession accompanied by temple orchestra and brightly coloured tinselled parasols. By the time they arrive before the deities the young boys are in a possessed stage and dance in a frenzy. The Kettukazhcha varavu held in the afternoon is a colourful event. Effigies of kuthiras (horses), larger than life figures of epic characters, well decorated chariots etc, are brought to the temple in the spectacular Kettukazhcha procession. Ritual and folk artforms like Padayani, Kolkali and Ammankudam are performed alongside the procession, unfolding an unforgettable spectacle. All night- Kathakali performance marks the conclusion of the cultural fare.
Getting there :
Nearest railway station: Kayamkulam, about 5 km from the shrine. Nearest airport: Kochi international airport, about 90 km from Alappuzha town
Thaipooya Mahotsavam Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, Harippad
Event Date : 25 Jan,2005
The Harippad temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya is one of the oldest and most famous temples in Kerala. The temple premise covers over a hectare of land, the shrine is a fine example of the Kerala's temple architecture. On Thaippooyam day hundreds of devotees carry Kavadies to the temple and dance in abandon unfolding a magnificent spectacle in the temple precincts. Thousands of small traditional oil lamps fixed on the outer walls of the temple are lit on the festival night.
Getting there : National Highway 47 passes through Harippad town. Nearest railway station : Harippad, about 12 km Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 117 km.
Payippad Boat Race
Event Date : 30 Aug, 2004
Venue : Payippad, Alappuzha
Watch the exciting spectacle of the Payippad Boat Race set the Payippad river afire. Conducted annually at Payippadu, en-route to Harippad, this race is a three-day affair, with highlights like water floats, classical and folk art performances etc.
Getting there :
Location : About 35 km from Alappuzha near Harippad
Nearest Railway Station : Harippad about 5km away
Nearest Airport : Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha
Payippad Boat Race
Event Date : 14 Aug, 2004
Venue : Punnamadakayal, Alappuzha
Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held on 14 August this year, is one of the most important boat races in Kerala. It is an annual event conducted on the second Saturday of August every year, in the afternoon. The main event consists of a stiff competition between the magnificent snake boats known as 'chundanvallams' for the coveted trophy. These boats stretch about 100 feet in length, with a raised prow, resembling the raised hood of a snake. They are manned by some 100 rowers who row vigorously to the accompaniment of the 'vanchipattu' to lend vocal support to their physical efforts. The race commences with a ceremonial water procession comprising of floats and a variety of craft.
Getting there:
Nearest Railway Station : Alappuzha
Nearest Airport : Cochin International Airport, about 85 km away.
