Aranmula Uthrittathi is a famous snake boat race in
Kerala. It is conducted annually at Aranmula on the day of Uthrittathi asterism in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August-September). The race is not conducted to win any trophy or prize. It is held across the Pampa River to commemorate the crossing of the river by
Lord Krishna on that day.
This river carnival is part of the
Aranmula Temple festival. The boats are rowed in union to the accompaniment of songs. The deity is supposed to be in all the boats that take part in the carnival and all of them are expected to arrive at their destination simultaneously.
Similar snake boat races are organized at Champakulam and
Payippad in
Kuttanad during the
Onam days.
