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Vallamkali |
One of the main attractions of Onam is the ‘Vallamkali‘ or boat races of Karuvatta, Payippad, Aranmula, and Kottayam. Onam is for all people of all class and creed. Hindus, Muslims and Christians, the wealthy and the downtrodden, all celebrate Onam with equal fervor. People of Kerala make elaborate preparations to celebrate it in the best possible manner. It's about the onam, Onam celebration, Onam festival, ona pookalam, pookkalam, ona sadhya, Onam festival kerala, onam aaghosham.
Onasadya
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Onasadya |
Pookalam
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Pookalam |
Boat race at Punnamada, Alappuzha in Onam Festival:
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Onam Festival Boat Race |
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Onam Festival boat race |
Nehru Trophy Boat Race was started in 1952 when India’s first Prime Minister, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, visited Alappuzha and inaugurated the function in which the gigantic snake boats with over 100 rowers in each raced one another. The trophy is a replica of a snake boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the following words of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru the first prime minister of India are inscribed above his signature. Kerala information provides the complete information about Nehru Trophy Boat race, Nehru Trophy Boat race Alappuzha, Nehru Trophy Vallam kali, Vallam kali,
Boat Categories
CHUNDAN VALLAM (SNAKE BOAT)
The boats of Kerala are categorized and named as per their shapes, sizes and purposes. The Chundaanvallam is so-called because of its pointed prow. The term snake boat indicates the shape of the stern which resembles the raised hood of a snake. The front end of this type of boat will be tapering in shape and the rear end will be highly elevated from the water level. It has a length of about 60-65 meters and a capacity to carry over a hundred to hundred and ten people during a race.
CHURULAN VALLAM (RACE BOAT)
The Race Boats “churulan vallams” are boats having a capacity to accommodate about 45 persons and are designed as passenger boats. The ends of these types of boats are shaped as a Circular ring (Churul in Malayalam).
VAIPU VALLAM
‘Vaipu’ vallams are boats having a passenger capacity of about 40-45 persons. One end of the boat is always higher than the other end. These boats were originally meant to prepare food for the other vessels during war.
IRUTTUKUTHY/ODI
Iruttukuthy or Odi types of boats are designed for transportation during the night. The shape of the boat is suitable for speedy journey. The width of the boat is so designed as to avoid friction with water while moving. In olden days these boats were supposed to be used for piracy works.
VANCHIPATTU (SONG OF THE BOATMAN)
These highly rhythmic songs were created to keep up the spirit of the boatman. These songs were so framed and sung as to keep pace with the movement of the oars and to keep alive their devotional, mythological and rustic life styles. Every snake boat has about twenty-five singers with their traditional percussion instruments.
Online Nehru Trophy Boat race ticket
This online ticket booking of Nehru Trophy Boat race is two types, they are Gold and Silver. You can make online payment for the tickets by a debit card, credit card, cash card or by the way of net banking.
Watch Video: The True Epics of OONAM Festival