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Champakulam Moolam Vallam Kali: the first snake-boat race of the Kerala season
A river village cheers the season's first snake boats from both banks
Champakulam Moolam Vallam Kali is the snake-boat race that opens Kerala's boat-race season, held on the river at Champakulam village, a branch of the Pampa, in Kuttanad, Alappuzha district. It falls on the day of the Moolam star in the Malayalam month of Mithunam, usually in June or July; next date: 19 June 2027 (expected). The race remembers the water procession that, by tradition, carried the Krishna image to the Ambalappuzha temple.
The day follows the Malayalam almanac; the organising committee and the local press confirm it in the week before.
The legend
Legend says the Raja of Chempakassery built a temple at Ambalappuzha, but its Krishna image was found inauspicious, so another was fetched from Karinkulam.
On the way back the party stayed the night at Champakulam with a Christian, Mappilassery Itty Thommen; next day a flotilla took the image on.
That was in 1545, and the Raja decreed a water festival at Champakulam every year on Moolam day. The race remembers that procession.
Customs
Snake boats
Long chundan vallams race down the Pamba, the oarsmen keeping time to vanchippattu, the boat songs.
Water procession
Before the race a colourful procession moves down the river, with folk arts performed on kettuvallam houseboats.
What people eat
Palpayasam
Ambalappuzha's milk pudding, taken to the Mappilassery family yearly.
How race day runs
The day keeps the order of an old ritual before it becomes a sporting event. Tens of thousands of people, local families and visitors, line both banks of the river to watch.
- Palpayasam for the Mappilassery family
A delegation from the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna temple brings palpayasam, the temple's milk pudding, to the Mappilassery family of Champakulam. The race begins only after prayers there.
- Water procession
Decorated boats move down the river, with folk arts performed on kettuvallam houseboats.
- Heats and the chundan final
Chundan vallams, the snake boats, race to the rhythm of vanchippattu, the boat songs. A chundan is about 100–120 feet (30–37 m) long and carries a crew of 64 to 128. The winner of the final takes the Rajapramukhan Trophy.
The legend and the history
By tradition, the Raja of Chempakassery built the temple at Ambalappuzha, but the Krishna image made for it was found unfit. His minister brought another ancient Krishna image from the Karikkulam temple at Kurichi. Night fell on the way back, and the party stopped at Champakulam in the house of Mappilassery Itty Thommen, a Christian notable. Next day the Raja and the people took the image on to Ambalappuzha in a water procession.
The panchayat dates the festival to 1545, when the Raja decreed a water festival at Champakulam every year on Moolam day. The yearly palpayasam visit to the Mappilassery family is kept as a mark of that hospitality between a Hindu temple and a Christian household.
Kerala Tourism records the race in its present form as inaugurated in 1927 by M. E. Watts, then Diwan of Travancore. In 1952 Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, then Rajapramukh of Travancore-Cochin, watched the race and instituted the Rajapramukhan Trophy for the winning snake boat; the main contest has been for it ever since.
How the date is fixed
The race follows the Malayalam almanac: the day of the Moolam nakshatra (lunar mansion) in Mithunam, which falls between mid-June and mid-July. In some years Moolam occurs twice within Mithunam. Kerala Tourism advises confirming the date locally, so keep the plan flexible until it is announced.
Planning a visit
- Where it is — Champakulam is a river village in the Kuttanad backwaters of Alappuzha district. The race suits a trip if you are already around Alappuzha in late June or July.
- Monsoon season — The race falls in the south-west monsoon. Bring rain cover for yourself and your phone or camera.
- Near the water — Rivers in India can have strong currents. Follow the instructions of the organisers and police on the banks, and keep children back from the edge.
- The rest of the season — Later races of the season include the Nehru Trophy Boat Race on Punnamada Lake and the Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali.
FAQ
When is Champakulam Moolam Vallam Kali?
On the day of the Moolam star in the Malayalam month of Mithunam, usually between mid-June and mid-July. Next date: 19 June 2027 (expected); confirm it locally closer to the day.
Where is the Champakulam boat race held?
On the river at Champakulam village, a branch of the Pampa, in Kuttanad, Alappuzha district, Kerala.
What trophy do the snake boats race for?
The Rajapramukhan Trophy, instituted in 1952 by Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, then Rajapramukh of Travancore-Cochin.
Why is palpayasam taken to the Mappilassery family?
By tradition, the Krishna image for Ambalappuzha rested overnight in the house of Mappilassery Itty Thommen. Each year a delegation from the temple brings palpayasam to the family, and the race starts after prayers there.
Is it the first boat race of the season?
Yes. Kerala Tourism says it marks the beginning of the state's boat-race season; the Champakulam panchayat calls it the start of Kuttanad's festive season.
Sources (4)
Facts checked: 22 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.