The grand regatta of Champakulam

The life of the people of Kerala, South India is peppered with a series of boat races from June to October, and the one conducted on the Champakulam River known as the Champakulam Moolam Chundan Vallamkali is the first among them during the season.

The video shows race of chundan vallams, or snake boats, which are more than 100 ft in length and have a raised prow.

The race is conducted on the day of the moolam asterism as per the Malayalam calendar in June/July and is celebrated to commemorate the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna temple. The Champakulam River is in Alappuzha District of Kerala.