Kerala Picnic Spot

The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is one of the oldest vallam kali (snake boat race) (after the Aranmula Boat Race) of Kerala, India. The Champakulam Moolam vallam kali is the boat race that kicks off the boat race season of Kerala annually.

The race is held on the River Pamba at Champakkulam, a village in Alappuzha district on Moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam (according to the Malayalam Calendar), the day of the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple. The day normally falls in June or July and the boat race attracts an enormous crowd.

This is the event that kicks off the boat racing frenzy which takes over the State for the next few months.

To see Event Date visit Champakulam Moolam Boat Race Event Page

The Legend

It is said that the Raja of Chempakasseri, Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan, built a temple at Ambalappuzha as suggested by the royal astrologers, but just before the installation of the deity (Lord Krishna) he was informed that the idol was not auspicious.It was important to install a suitable idol immediately.

Accordingly, the priests identified another idol of Lord Krishna at the Karinkulam temple in Kurichi which was considered very sacred as it was believed to have been given to Arjuna by Lord Krishna himself. While returning to Ambalappuzha after getting the idol from Karinkulam temple, night set in, and as instructed by the Raja, they took shelter at a Christian household, the home of Mappilassery Itty Thommen, in the village of Champakulam. Itty Thommen was a loyal subject and a confidant of the king.

Itty Thommen and his family received the men and the idol with great honour. The next day, the Raja and his entourage turned up at Mappilassery. Itty Thommen and his men also travelled with the flotilla to Ambalapuzha where the idol was duly consecrated and installed with great fanfare. On the way, the people of Champakulam and adjoining areas, as well as the priests and laity of the Champakulam Kalloorkadu Church, honoured the Raja and the idol.

These events took place in 1545 A.D. The Raja, pleased with the love and affection shown to him by his Christian subjects, declared that henceforth, to commemorate these events, a great water carnival would be held at Champakulam every year, on Moolam day in the Malayalam month of Mithunam. Thus began the Champakulam Snake Boat Race and related functions, which continue to this day.

Later the old house was demolished and a new one was built and a special lamp, made of rare metals, was given to the family, to be kept in this holy place, and perpetually burning, as an eternal flame. Every year priests and other delegates from the temple call at the house on Moolam day, with gifts and prasadam for the karanavar or head of the house. This ceremony is known as the Moolakazcha. It is believed that on Moolam Day, Lord Krishna resides not at the Temple, but at Mappilassery House. The Temple delegates enter the prayer room, where along with Christian icons like the cross, and statues of Jesus and Mary, the lamp, known as the Vazhakoombu Vilakku is given a place of prominence. The temple representatives then venerate the lamp, and are treated by the family to a sumptuous feast. It is only after all these ceremonies that the famous Champakulam Snake Boat Race commences.

Getting there

Nearest railway station: Alappuzha, about 15 km
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 78 km