Snake boat race is one of the famous festivals in Kerala. The snake boat race is usually conducted during the months of August and September every year.  The attractive backwaters are filled with activities as the villagers prepare for the great snake boat races. The Chundan vallam is the largest and the most majestic of all the race boats.

The length of the Chundan Vallam boat varies from 100 to 120 feet long and the longest boat accommodates nearly 120 rowers in the boat with 60 on each side of the boat. The rowing is perfectly synchronized with the boatmen’s song. The main steersman of the boat stands on the amaram which rises to a height of nearly 15 -20 feet. The amaram resemble the angry snake with its neck raised. It is decorated with brass studs and beautifully engraved works.

The main boat races are the Nehru trophy boat race which began in the year 1952 when India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Alleppey. It is one of the major events which take place on the second Saturday in the month of August every year. Champakulam boat race is conducted during the month of June and July and is closely connected with the Asterism Moolam of Midhunam the Malayalam month.