Kerala is known for its backwaters, the abundant
banana trees, cultures, ethnic beauties and so on. This God’s Own Country is
also about the ever energetic Boat Race where hundreds of men row a long boat
in the midst of a cheering audience. It is a once in a lifetime kind of opportunity
to witness this amazing Snake Boat Races. This July, the famous Champakulam Boat Race is about to take place and it is the right time to discuss the History of
Champakulam Race. Let’s see!
The Snake boat race in Kerala is held in the
Malayalam month of Midhunam, which is roughly sometime in the months of June
and July. The Champakulam boat race is held in Champakulam, in the Alappuzha
district of Kerala. This Boat race is one of the oldest races of this type. It kick
starts the season of boat races all over Kerala. The boat race which is held on
the river Pampa attracts a massive crowd to the river on the day of Moolam
according to the Malayalam calendar.
The boat race started around 1545 A.D. The Raja of Chempakassery, Devanarayanan, built a temple in Ambalapuzha since the royal astrologer suggested him to do so. Before the deity was installed in the temple, it was brought to his notice that the idol wasn’t auspicious. This made him look for an idol that was suitable, as soon as possible. The priests told him about the idol of Lord Krishna, in Kurichi at the Karikulam temple. It was believed that this idol in Kurichi was given to one of the Pandavas, Arjuna, by Lord Krishna. This made this idol holy and sacred. This Raja’s men went on boats to Kurichi to get this idol and, thus, on the return journey, the men stayed in Champakulam for the night at a Christian household of Itty Thommen, who was a confidant of the Raja. The next day, followed by his entourage, the Raja came to Champakulam. The idol was worshipped by all with Pujas done by the Raja and the people of Champakulam. The Raja was happy by the treatment he got from the people of Champakulam and the idol on their stay and thus declared a water carnival would be held every year in the river water of Pampa, in Champakulam. This boat race in Champakulam commemorates the boat racing festival all over Kerala. Midhunam was the day when the deity was installed at the Ambalapuzha temple.
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