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1, The Nehru Trophy Boat Race (12 August 2006) | ||||
In 1952 the honorable Prime Minister of India, late Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru called on Kerala and enjoyed a graceful cruise in the centre deck of the Marshal Boat from Kottayam to Alleppey. As part of the visit, the state government arranged a boat race of the Chundan boats with the co-operation and participation of the local community. Mr. Nehru was so fascinated by this spectacular event that he jumped on to the deck of the winner boat, which was the Nadubhagom Chundan and congratulated them. On his return to New Delhi he send a rosewood Chundan
replica adorned with silver trimming to the State and this trophy is being
awarded to the winners of the boat race every year in the commemoration of
India's first Prime minister. The first winner of this 'Prime
Minister's' trophy was ‘ Kavalam Chundan'
on its race at the Kinakari Vattakkayal. From 1955 onwards
the boat races were held at the Punnamada Lake and the winner was
Parthasarathi Chundan. Since then this boat race
is being held at the Punnamada Lake on the 2 nd Saturday of August every
year. |
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Nehru Trophy Boat Race Venue |
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2, Chambakkulam Boat Race (10 July 2006) | ||||
The oldest and the most popular Chundan boat race in
Kerala is held on the Chembakkulam Lake on the Moolam day of the Malayalam
month Midhunam. This event is closely connected to Sri Krishna Temple at
Ambalappuzha. Legends say that Maharaja Devanarayana of Chempakasseri
built a temple at Ambalappuzha following the instruction of the Royal
Priest. But just before the installation of the deity the King was
informed that the idol was not auspicious. The king was disturbed, but his
minister suggested an inspiring solution of placing in the newly
constructed temple, the beautiful idol of Sree Krishna - presented to
Arjuna by the Lord himself, from the Karikulam temple in Kurichi. The
minister with a few others went to Kurichi, met the authorities there and
returned with the idol. On the way back they stopped at Champakulam to
spent the night and perform rituals or “pooja”. The next morning, boats
from the entire region assembled to escort the idol in a colorful,
ceremonial procession through the lake to the temple. | ||||
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Chembakulam Moolam Boat Race
Venue |
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3, Aranmula Boat Race ( 9 September 2006) | ||||
The Aranmula Uthrattadi Boat Race conducted is during
Onam . The event is a re-enacting of the legend involving a devoted Brahmin
who made a votive offering of feeding one pilgrim a day. One day Sree
Krishna himself appeared to him and the overjoyed Brahmin vowed to offer
51 measures of rice and all the provisions for the thiruvonam sadya (the
sumptuous Onam feast) at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Once, the
Thiruvonachilavuthoni (the boat carrying the offerings) was intercepted by
rivals from another village, but the Brahmin's own villagers came to the
rescue on snake boats. From then on, the offering was escorted by a fleet
of palliyodams This event is marked by a colorful water carnival and
procession on the lake with children dressed as nymphs and princesses. On
the second day of celebration, snake boats decorated with silken parasols,
carrying helmsmen, oarsmen and singers assemble near the temple early in
the morning and then move away in pairs, creating magnificent pageant. The
boat race proper is held in the afternoon. | ||||
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Aranmula Uthrattadi Boat Race
Venue |
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4, Payippad Boat Race ( 7 September 2006) | ||||
The Payippad boat race which lasts for three days
commemorates the installation of the deity at the Subramanya Swamy Temple.
The legend is that the people of the village decided to build a temple
with Sree Ayyappa as the presiding deity. After the temple was ready, they
had a vision directing them to a whirlpool in the Kayamkulam Lake from
where found the idol and placed ceremoniously to the temple. Devotees from
the entire region in colorfully decorated boats escorted the idol. This
happend on the Thiruvonam day of the Malayalam month of Chingam. And every
year this day boat race and spectacular water pageants are organized with
water floats, decorated boats, performing arts, children in fancy attires
etc.. Vanchipattu is a characteristic feature of these processions. The
event draws hundreds of thousands of spectators from all
over. | ||||
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Payippad Jelotsavam
Venue |
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