Champakkulam Boat Race in God’s Own Country

Champakkulam boat race is one of the world famous snake boat races of the world conducted in God’s Own Country. Champakkulam boat race for the year 2011 will be conducted in coming 16th June 2011. Champakkulam snake boat race is one of the popular water sports in Kerala which attract so many domestic and foreign customers. The race will be conducted usually conducted in the harvest season of Kerala state which mainly occurs in the month of June. The sport is performed in river Pampa located in the banks of Champakkulam located in the district of Alappuzha. The variety of decorated snake boats and hundreds of rowers sailing the same is certainly an extravaganza to watch.

Belief and History behind Champakkulam Boat Race

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Beyond its popularity as one of the greatest snake boat races, Champakkulam boat race reveals the culture and tradition of the people of Kerala living in the backwaters. It is the living and active symbol of Kerala culture and tradition. Champakkulam boat race is also a best example for the unity and team spirit among the group of around 100 rowers in a long decorated snake boat.

Champakkulam boat is one of the oldest boat races in Kerala which is believed to be started in 1545 AD. This itself is a great document to reveal the richness of this sport in Kerala. the race is usually conducted in the harvest season of Kerala ( in the month of June). According to Malayalam calendar, Champakkulam boat race is conducted in Malayalam month Midhunam on Moolam day. Moolam day has some spiritual importance for the people of Kerala and it is the day where the deity is installed at Sri Krishna Temple, Alappuzha.

Champakkulam Boat Race- A Symbol of Unity and Team Spirit

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Champakkulam boat race is an enticing water sport of Kerala in which we could see 90-110 rowers in each of the decorated boats sailing against the river tides to get their respective teams in the first place. It is certainly a symbol of unity and team spirit among the rowers. The race is an ultimate test of their endurance, speed and skill. They have to sail the boat for 0 to 30 minutes at a stretch and is not at all an easy job. Rowers undergo vigorous trainings for several months and give up their maximum for the team. According to them, winning the race is a matter of pride and prestige.

Decorated snake boats are another specialty of Champakkulam boat race. The boats will have a length of 100 feets so that it can accommodate 90-110 rowers. Oarsmen is another interesting character in these kind of boat races. Champakkulam boat race will start with a song of the oarsmen and the song is locally known as Vanchippattu in Kerala which means snake boat song in English. This song is sung to reduce the work load of the rowers and enhance the team spirit and to maintain an increased state of energy.

Variety of Boats in Champakkulam Boat Race

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As already mentioned, decorated snake boats are the key attraction in Champakkulam boat race. The length of the boat and the number of rowers are always asset to a team participating in Champakkulam boat race. Long snake boats are the symbol of their pride and prestigue. The variety of boats in Champakkulam boat race mainly include Chundan snake boats, Iruttukuthy/Oddy snake boats, Veppu snake boats, Churulan snake boats and Thekkan Oddy Valloms. The cost along with boat grade details of boats in Champakkulam boat race 2011 are as follows

1. Chundan Snake Boat : Rs.4,00,000
2. Iruttukuthy/Oddy – Grade A : Rs.2,00,000
3. Iruttukuthy/Oddy – Grade B : Rs.1,00,000
4. Veppu – Grade A : Rs.2,00,000
5. Veppu – Grade B : Rs1,00,000
6. Churulan : Rs. 50,000
7. Thekkan Oddy Vallom : Rs.25,000

Champakkulam Boat Race 2011 Live telecast Online

Champakkulam boat race 2011 will be conducted on 16th June 2011. Live telecast of Champakkulam boat race 2011 will be available on all Malayalam TV channels like Asianet, Indiavision, Surya TV, Amritha TV, Manorama News channel etc. The details related to boat committees and sponsorship of Champakkulam boat race, visit www.champakkulamboatrace.com. The live online telecast of Champakkulam boat race in internet will be available online Malayalam channel streaming website that is http://malayalamlive.com/. You are free to select your channels from the mentioned site and can enjoy watching Champakkulam boat race 2011 live online.

Champakkulam Boat Race 2011 Other Contact Details

Champakulam Moolam Snake Boat Race Committee 2011
General Committee Chairman
Sri. P Mohanan Pillai
R.D.O, Alappuzha
Ph: 0477-2242320
Mob: 9447495002

General Committee Convenor
Sri. N Sundaran Achari
Tahsildar, Kuttanad
Ph: 0477-2702221
Mob: 9447495006

Champakkulam Boat Race 2011 | Watch Live Telecast Online