Champakulam Boat Race takes place at Champakulam, about 26 km from
Alappuzha. It is conducted on the 'Moolam' asterism, which comes in the
Malayalam month of
Midhunam (June-July). Huge snake-shaped boats called 'chundans' gather on this day to take part in the impressive race. The festivities include spectacular water floats, decorated boats, vanchipattu (songs of the oarsmen) and the most thrilling
chundan vallam race.
