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Payippad and Neerettupuram vallomkali, Pulinkunnu vallomkali, Aranmula vallomkali

Payippad and Neerettupuram vallomkali, Pulinkunnu vallomkali, Aranmula vallomkali
Date: Payippad and Neerettupuram vallomkali - Both on Aug 25. Pulinkunnu vallomkali - Aug 28; Aranmula vallomkali- Aug 29.

The Vallomkali (boat race) is a sport unique to the backwaters of Kerala. Central regions of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom and Kuttanad were the venues of the vallomkali in earlier years. The popular Champakkulam vallomkali and the Payippadu vallomkali held in Alappuzha district are two events which are centuries old.

Later, the excitement the boat race created and the growing social participation, led to similiar sporting events being organised at locations. A few among such are Nehru Trophy Boat Race which is today a national event, Neerettupuram vallomkali held in the river Pamba and Pulimkunnu vallomkali at the Pulimkunnu river.

The history and legends connected with the vallomkali are interesting. Centuries ago an idol of Lord Subramanya (Lord Siva's son) was recovered from the Kayamkulam lake and brought to the Haripad temple on a kalivallom, along the Payippad river, in a procession of decorated canoes. To commemorate this event, every year on the Chathayam asterism of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the Payippad vallomkali is conducted with reverence and equal excitement.

The Aranmula vallomkali held at Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district too has a religious origin though it is celebrated as a grand social event today. In olden days vegetables, cereals etc required for the Thiruvonasadya (the onam feast) prepared as a ritual offering at the Aranmula temple, was brought from the ancestral house of Mangattubhattathiri, in a procession of snake boats. The vallom (boat) carrying these items was called Thiruvonachilavuthoni (literally the canoe that carries the food for Thiruvonam). To commemorate this ritualistic journey, the famous Aranmula Vallomkali - is conducted along the route traced centuries ago, is held. Also known as Uthruttathi vallomkali this event pulls the maximum crowd on the fifth day, the uthruttathi asterism (the deity's birthday) of the Malayalam month Chingam.

Getting there:

Payippad vallomkali venue: About, 35 km from Alappuzha on the way to Harippad.

Nearest railway station: Alappuzha.

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha.

Aranmula vallomkali venue: Aranmula is 10 km away from Chengannur on Thiruvananthapuram - Kottayam route.

Nearest railway station: Chengannur.

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 130 km towards south.

Neerettupuram vallomkali venue: Near Edathua, about 30 km from Alappuzha town on Alappuzha - Thiruvalla route.

Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla about 12 km in Pathanamthitta district and Alappuzha about 23 km.

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha town.

Pulimkunnu vallomkali venue: About 20 km from Alappuzha town on Alappuzha - Changanacherry route.

Nearest railway station: Alappuzha

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha town.

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