Aranmula Uthrittathi
Jalolsavams evoke the waves of enthusiasm in the minds of Southern Keralites.
its history is flirting with, paddling with river gods.
Down the years the boat race has accrued sporting value and tourism importance.
For ages, Keralites have cherished a reverential attitude to rivers. It is
the apt time for Keralites to hold the Jalotsavam (water-carnivals). Boat
race is in a way a display of physical might of the people who forget their
differences in partaking of this sport.
The famous snake boat carnival on the Pampa, held annually at Aranmula on
the day of Uthrittathi asterism, in connection with the Onam festival is to
commemorate the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna on that day. The deity
is supposed to be in all the boats that take part in the carnival and all
of them are expected to arrive a t their destination simultaneously. There
is thus no element of competition in the Aranmula Boat Race as in other regattas
held in this district and elsewhere. The race is not conducted to win any
trophy or prize. The crew regards the occasion as one for rejoicing and merry-making
and cheerfully row up and down the river to the tune of songs.
The people of Central Travancore and special boats and buses ply to carry
the people to witness the event. During the races, the banks of the river
on either side, for a distance of about three kilometers, would be thronged
with millions. In recent years, the festival attracts spectators from all
parts of the world. The Valla Sadya is an important vazhipadu (offering) in
the temple on this occasion.
The snake boats at the Aranmula regatta present an enchanting as well as
imposing spectacle. They are of extraordinary shape. About 100 ft. long, the
end of the boat is curving upwards with the front portion tapering gradually.
The rear portion would be towering to a height of about 20 feet. The boats
resemble snakes with their hoods raised. Crews of over hundred men vying to
win the coveted trophy, attract spectators from all over. The occupants carry
banners and ornamental umbrellas of silk and gold. It is doubtful whether
there is any other national festival resplendent with such an aura of spiritual
devotion, endearing friendship, sportsman spirit, majesty and rapturous delight
as the Aranmula boat race.
Similar Snake-boat races are organized at Champakkulam and Paippadu in Kuttanad,
the rice bowl of Kerala, during the Onam days.
Festivals in Kerala
Onam || Sabarimala
Festival || Nehru
Trophy Boat Race || Aaranmula
Boat Race || Cochin
Carnival || Muharram
|| Malabar Mahotsavam
|| Swathi Festival
|| Aarattu || Jagannatha
Festival || Aattachamayam
|| Indira Gandhi
Boat Race || Thirunakara
Festival || Vettukadu
Perunal || Nisha
Gandhi Dance Festival || Oachirakkali
|| Easter || Thrissur
Puram || Aranmula
Uthrittathi || Chittur
Konganpada || Maramon
Convention || Nellikulangara
Vallanghi Vela || Thiruvathira
Festival || Oaachira
Kettukazhcha || Nilamperoor
Padayani || Ramadan
|| Makaravillakku
at Sabarimala || Kerala
Village fair || Kalapathy
Chariot Festival ( Ratholsav )
