Onam: Vallam Kali, a more than a boat race; 10 unknown facts

After two long years of the Covid-19 pandemic, Keralites celebrated Onam with great revelry. The festival of Onam is an annual Malayali harvest festival that falls in August or early September every year. The festival is celebrated to mark the homecoming of the Demon King, Mahabali to his state. The 10-day-long festival, this year, began on August 30 and will culminate on September 8, 2022.

The festival includes a wide range of cultural events which mark the Malayalam New year. One such event witnessed during the Onam festival is the famous Boat race. Boat racing is one of the most popular cultural attractions in Kerala during the Onam festival. The breathtaking races with the wooden boats set the festivities on fire.

10 unknown facts you should know about Vallam Kali-

Associated with the state for over 400 years, the history of this Vallam Kali can be traced ack to the King of Alleppey, where these canoe-shaped boats were used in wars in the backwaters of Kerala

2.An event infused with energy, it sees a number of oarsmen gearing up to row with full vigour, in mesmeric synchronisation.

There is Payippad Boat Race held during Onam on the Payippad river in Alappuzha which is organised to celebrate the installation of the idol of Lord Subramanian at Haripad Subramanya Temple

A two-day festival organised during Onam, Aranmula Snake Boat Race is the annual celebration of Sri Parthasarathy Temple. More than a race, it is a ritual, where over 25 palliyodams or snake boats, with 100 rowers, 15 helmsmen and 25 singers participate. Vibrant umbrellas, colourful tassels and flags are used to decorate the boats.

5.This tradition got so much popularity that Former PM of India Jawaharlal Nehru even instituted a grand trophy for the winner of the race - Nehru Trophy.

Boats have fixed measurements with a length of 100 m and around 150 men can be seated in each boat.

These boats are carved out from Artocarpus (Hirsuta) and teak (Kadamb) at times as well

8.With the ends of the boats being curled resembling cobra hoods, the shape of the boats is the reason why they are called snake boats

According to some reports, only men are allowed to touch the boat that too with bare feet.

10.Lord Vishnu and the great demon King Mahabali are worshipped so that the boatmen and their boats are blessed by the Lord and the King. Flowers are also offered as they considered to be good luck