One of the main attractions of Onam, is the 'Vallamkali' or boat races of Karuvatta, Payippad, Aranmula and Kottayam. Hundreds of oarsmen row traditional boats to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. These long graceful Snake Boats called 'Chundans' are named after their exceedingly long hulls and high sterns that resemble the raised hood of a cobra.

Then there are 'Odis', the small and swift raiding crafts adorned with gold tasseled silk umbrellas, the 'Churulans' with their elaborately curled prows and sterns, and the 'Veppus', a kind of cook-boat. This traditional village rivalry on watercrafts reminds one of ancient naval warfare.

Thousands throng the banks to cheer and watch the breathtaking show of muscle power, rowing skills and rapid rhythm. These boats - all pitted against their own kind - rip through the backwaters of Kerala in a tussle of speed.

Other boat races held during Onam

Nehru Trophy Boat Race | Champakulam Boat Race
Aranmula Boat Race | Payippad Boat Race

ATDC Boat Race , Alappuzha , Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race , Pulinkunnu , Neerettupuram Boat Race , Kumarakom Boat Race , Karuvatta Boat Race , Kavanattinkara Boat Race , Kumarakom Arpookara Vanitha Jalamela , Kottayam Mahatma Boat Race ,Thazhathangadi Boat Race , Kottayam , Kottapuram Boat Race , Kodungallur and Kumaranasan Smaraka Jalotsavam .The Indira Gandhi Boat Race is held on the Ernakulam Lake during the Cochin Carnival in the last week of December