- Vallam Kali is Kerala's traditional snake boat race held during the Onam festival
- Nehru Trophy Boat Race occurs on August 30, 2025, at Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha
- Payippad Boat Race takes place from September 5-7, 2025, on the Payippad River, Alappuzha
Every year, as Kerala celebrates the harvest festival of Onam, its tranquil backwaters transform into racing tracks echoing with drumbeats, chants, and cheering crowds. Long, serpent-like boats cut through the water with breathtaking speed, rowed by hundreds of oarsmen moving as one. This is Vallam Kali - Kerala's legendary snake boat race - a tradition that is equal parts sport, spectacle, and spiritual celebration. In August and September 2025, three of the biggest races will once again turn God's Own Country into a stage for one of India's most thrilling cultural experiences.
What Makes Vallam Kali Special?
The word Vallam Kali literally means "boat play," but the event is much more than that. These races are held during Onam, Kerala's most celebrated harvest festival, when the monsoon-fed rivers and lakes become the grand stage. At the heart of the spectacle are the majestic chundan valloms (snake boats) - slender, nearly 100-foot-long vessels with a raised stern, rowed by over 100 men working in harmony.
Beyond the competition, Vallam Kali reflects Kerala's maritime heritage, teamwork, and deep-rooted traditions.
Also Read: Kerala's Aranmula Vallasadya: A Sacred Feast Worth Travelling For
Here Are 3 Iconic Boat Races In Kerala To Watch In 2025:
1. Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Alappuzha
Photo Credit: Kerala Tourism
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is Kerala's most famous water spectacle, held on Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. Its origins go back to 1952, when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru witnessed a thrilling race here and was so impressed that he commissioned a silver trophy bearing his signature. Since then, this race has become a prestigious annual tradition.
- When: August 30, 2025
- Where: Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha
2. Payippad Boat Race, Alappuzha
Photo Credit: Kerala Tourism
Steeped in legend, the Payippad Boat Race commemorates the discovery and installation of the idol of Lord Subramanya at the Subramanya Swamy Temple. Held on the scenic Payippad River, it is one of Kerala's most eagerly awaited events, featuring the largest number of participating snake boats. The three-day festival is a blend of devotion, folklore, and fierce competition.
- When: September 5-7, 2025
- Where: Payippad backwaters, Alappuzha
3. Aranmula Uthrittathi Boat Race, Pathanamthitta
Photo Credit: Kerala Tourism
More than just a race, the Aranmula Boat Race is deeply tied to the rituals of the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Held on the River Pamba, it is believed to carry divine blessings. The boats here, called palliyodams, are larger and taller than the usual snake boats, and up to 15 people can stand in their centre. The event is a blend of devotion, tradition, and grandeur, making it one of the most sacred races in Kerala.
- When: September 9, 2025
- Where: River Pamba, Pathanamthitta
Together, these races showcase Kerala at its festive best, and if you are visiting Kerala during this time of the year, you should plan a visit to witness these wonderful boat races.
