Ayamparambupandi Chundan lift the 'Rajapramukhan' trophy at Champakulam Vallamkali

Alappuzha: Ayamparambupandi Chundan emerged winner in the Chambakkulam Moolam Boat Race on Saturday.

Oarsmen of Ayamparambupandi snake boat lifted the Rajapramukhan trophy, beating Nadubhagom and Chambakkulam teams.

As many as six snake boats contested for the trophy in the race in river Pamba which kickstarted this year's boat race season.

The boats were Sree Vinayakan chundan, Nadumbagam chundan, Chambakulam chundan,  Karuvatta Puthen chundan, St George Chundan and Ayamparambupandi Chundan. 

The contest for the snake boats were held in two heets with two boats participating in each heets. Separate competitions were held for smaller boats called the Veppu and Iruttukuthi. 

The history of the race

Way back in AD 1545,  the Raja of Chempakaseri built a temple at Ambalapuzha. The idol which was to be installed in the temple was brought from a temple at Kurichi. Those days, the main means of transport was through the interlinking waterways and by the time they reached Champakulam, it was late. The idol and the men traveling with it were put up by a Christian family called the Mappilassery family. After staying the night there, they resumed their journey next day. After the installation was over, the king was very pleased and declared that a water regatta would be held to commemorate these events. And this is a tradition that has been zealously followed till date. 

How to reach

Champakulam is in Alappuzha district.

By road - 15 km away from Alappuzha, 18 km from Changanassery

Nearest railway station: Changanassery, Alappuzha

Airport: Thiruvananthapuram airport is about 150 km away and Cochin International Airport is about 100 km away. 

Read more: Travel News | Travel | Beyond Kerala