Snake Boat of Kumarakom: The grand arrival!

Posted on Jul 04 in photo essaysby Sajan ManiPrint

July 4,Thayankari : The villagers of Kumarakom started their preparations for the upcoming Boat racing festivals by giving a new beginning for their oars and paddles to find new heights of victory. The new season of boat racing started with the grand arrival of snake boats after a slumber of 8 months. Almost all the villagers were busy welcoming their snake boats with prayers and offerings at different temples and churches in the region. A group of young men in high spirit took the giant snake boat from the Boat shed of Thaynkari to the waters of Vembanad lake. The rowers and singers over took the egrets to find new speed.

people ready to take the snake boat to water

seeking divine intervene!

attaching the ‘pattu’ ( silk robe) from Chakkulathu Kavu temple, and St.George Forane Church, Edathua.

loneliness of a long distant winner

on your mark!

a boat full of fans.

in the heart of the venice of the east

This snake boat will take a short brake for 3 days .

a kumarakom sunset

This snake boat will take a short brake for 3 days ,after that it will starts its journey through the waters of vembanad lake participating in different boat races, Champakulam Boat race on July 14 , Nehru Trophy Boat Race etc.

Stay tuned with us for more updates:)
What is a Snake Boat ?
Chundan Vallam (Beaked Boat) known to the outside world as Kerala snake boats are one of the icons of Kerala culture used in the Vallamkali (boat race).
Constructed according to specifications taken from the Sthapathya Veda, an ancient treatise for the building of wooden boats, these boats are anywhere from 100 to 138 ft in length. With the rear portion towering to a height of about 20 ft. and a long tapering front portion, it resembles a snake with its hood raised. Its hull is built of planks precisely 83 feet in length and six inches wide.

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