Kerala's Backwaters Filled with Excitement: Vallam Kali Snake Boat Races in Onam 2025

Vallam Kali: A Celebration of Kerala's Maritime Heritage

Vallam Kali, a thrilling boat race steeped in tradition and history, is set to captivate audiences once again during Onam 2025 in Kerala. This "boat game" or "boat race", as the name translates from Malayalam, is a spectacle that honours the state's rich maritime heritage and showcases the prowess of its skilled oarsmen.

The Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race, held at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, is one such event. It is a sacred regatta that honours Lord Krishna and culminates in the feast-like Vallasadya. In contrast, the legendary snake boat race, Vallam Kali, is entwined with temple festivals and rituals, most notably Onam, the harvest festival that honours the legendary King Mahabali.

Vallam Kali races have their origins centuries ago, with stories woven into the folklore and historical memory of Kerala. The Chundan Vallams, or snake boats, are the central vessels in these races, each crewed by 80-150 oarsmen, helmsmen, and singers who keep rhythm with boat songs. These traditional boats, built from hardwoods like anjili and stretching more than a hundred feet, are a testament to Kerala's craftsmanship.

The Chundan Vallams take centre stage in various races across Kerala, such as the Payippad Jalotsavam, the Kallada Jalotsavam, and the Champakulam Moolam. The latter, considered the oldest race, traces its roots to the installation of the idol at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple.

One of the most renowned Vallam Kali events is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha, first held in 1952. Often called the crown jewel of Vallam Kali, it serves as the grand opener of the Champions Boat League (CBL). The CBL, launched in 2019 by Kerala Tourism, has reimagined Vallam Kali for a new era, complete with franchises, live broadcasts, and prize purses.

Each team in the CBL represents historic boat clubs, like the formidable Pallathuruthy Boat Club or the Kumarakom Town Boat Club, whose legacies are carved into decades of fierce competition. Major events like the Nehru Trophy Boat Race are scheduled around Onam festivities, turning village banks into throbbing amphitheatres of celebration.

Visitors can witness this spectacle in popular venues such as Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, Aranmula on the Pampa River, and other backwaters across central Kerala. The President's Trophy Boat Race, held on Kerala Piravi (statehood day) in Kollam, is another must-see event.

Vallam Kali began as royal traditions, where local kings organised grand boat contests to display their naval strength. Today, it stands as a symbol of Kerala's maritime heritage, a testament to its past and a promise of its future. The legend of Kerala's creation is linked to water, as it is said that Parashurama created the land by hurling his axe into the ocean. This spirit of tradition and resilience is echoed in every Vallam Kali race, making it a celebration not to be missed.