Kerala tourism Guide

Aranmula Vallamkali is conducted on the last two days of the festival and forty odd snake boats known as Palliyodams or chundan Valloms take part in this beautiful and colorful carnival. The Palliyodams which looks like a snake with its hood raised is about 100 feet long with back portion towering to a height of 20 feet and the front tapers gradually like the tail of a snake. The boat accommodates about 120 people who include the oarsmen, helmsmen and singers. The pageantry starts early in the morning where the snake boats assemble near the temple and make offering and prays to the deity. They then go up and down the river singing songs known as Vanchipattu carrying banners and decorated gold and silk umbrellas. The snake boat race takes place in the afternoon which is attended by tourist from all over the world. When the race starts the speed and the graceful rhythmic movements of the oarsmen and the boat is a sight to be seen which keeps you on your toes. Legend says this boat race and carnival have been in existence for more than 1000 years. After the water sport fiestas a grant feast known as Vallasadya is given to the oarsmen in the Aranmula temple. The Vanchipattu is sung throughout the races by a group of men who rows up and down the River.