Karuvatta Boat Race | A Thrilling Onam Spectacle in Kerala

The Karuvatta boat race or the Brothers Trophy Boat Race is held every year during the Onam season at the Karuvatta village in Alappuzha district. A variety of spectacular cultural activities are organised during the race. The snake boat race is currently part of Kerala Tourism's Champions Boat League (CBL).

The event was founded by the Karuvatta Brothers Arts & Sports Club in 1966. The race is held on the Karuvatta leading water channel and it was initially known as the Karuvatta Leading Channel Boat Race. The bunds on either side of the channel are used as galleries during the event.

The race track is 1200 metres long and it stretches from Thaivypinkadavu to St. Joseph's Church. There is a permanent pavilion at the church premises. The Brothers Trophy Boat Race was initially conducted for smaller snake boats like Churulan, Odi and Veppu vallams. Nowadays, all major snake boats vie for this trophy. Vibrant festivities including a colourful procession are held during the event.

CBL Boat Races

Dharmadom Boat Race

The Champions Boat League, hosted on the Ancharakandi River in Dharmadam, Kannur, is one of the most captivating boat race events in North Malabar. Competitions like these play a key role in drawing both domestic and international visitors to the region.

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Piravom Boat Race

Launched in 1958, the Piravom Boat Race is one of the oldest snake boat races in Kerala. The founding of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race inspired the people of Piravom in Ernakulam district to have a similar event of their own. Conducted on the Muvattupuzha River, this is one of the hardest snake boat races because competitors have to paddle against the undercurrents. Initially, smaller vessels like odi or iruttukuthi and kadathu (ferry) boats participated in the race. In 1962, parunthuvalans or veppu vallams (a type of smaller snake boat) were introduced to the contest. The Parthasarathy Chundan was the first snake boat to participate in the race and in the later years other major snake boats tested their mettle against the currents of the Muvattupuzha River. The 27 sections of the Piravom Municipality is divided into 9 karas (localities) and the races are held under the names of each division. The race begins at Kalamboor Aattutheeram Park and ends at the finishing point near the Piravom bridge. Every year, boat clubs from across the state arrive here to showcase their skills and raw power to win this title, which is now part of Kerala Tourism's Champions Boat League (CBL).

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Kottappuram Boat Race

The Kottappuram Boat Race is one of the two prestigious snake boat races held in Kerala's Thrissur district. The race was launched 26 years ago and it is conducted on the Kodungalloor-Kottappuram Lake. The event was not held for several years in between due to organisational and financial challenges.The race got a new lease of life with the intervention of Kerala Tourism. Now the event is held every year as a water carnival. The Kottappuram Boat Race is also part of the Champions Boat League (CBL), which makes it one of the much-awaited water sports events in the state.

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Beypore Boat Race

The Beypore Boat Race is a new entrant into Kerala's traditional water sports arena. The event was launched by Kerala Tourism to expand the indigenous sport to the northern regions of the state. The race is held on the Chaliyar River at the historic port town of Beypore in Kozhikode district. The race is part of Kerala Tourism's Champions Boat League, but it does not involve chundan vallams (snake boats). Only churulan vallams (small sporting boats) compete in this event. The race track is located between the old and new Feroke bridges. Teams from the northern regions participate in this race, which is quickly gaining popularity in the state. The Beypore Boat Race is held during Kerala Tourism's annual adventure water sports carnival - The Beypore Water Festival. A celebration of Malayali spirit and an international showcase of the state's potential as an adventure sports destination, this gala has become one of India's biggest water fests. Apart from the boat race, the event also hosts canoeing, kayaking, parasailing, speedboat racing, wooden log racing and timber rafting competitions. The Beypore Marina Beach and the eco-friendly Oceanus Chaliyam stretch on the opposite shore are the venues of this spectacular event, which also features rocking musical evenings, delectable food fest, international symposiums, kite festivals, naval and coast guard aviation displays and much more.

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