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Payippad Jalotsavam: the Onam boat festival of Haripad
Snake boats retrace the river journey that brought the temple its god
Payippad Jalotsavam, also called the Payippad boat race or Vallam Kali, is a three-day water festival of the Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple at Haripad, in Kerala’s Alappuzha district. Snake boats (chundan vallam) race on the Achankovil river at Payippad, about 6 km from Haripad, on the Thiruvonam, Avittam and Chathayam days of Onam, and the final comes on Chathayam. Dates: 12–15 September 2027 (expected), final on 15 September 2027 (expected).
The days follow Onam, which the Kerala holiday list fixes late in the previous year; the local committee confirms the programme in the week before.
The legend
By tradition, the elders of Haripad all dreamt the same night of an idol of Subrahmanya lying in the lake near Kayamkulam, under a whirlpool.
The idol was found and carried to the temple by boat, escorted by boats from the villages. The three race days at Payippad recall that journey.
Customs
Snake boat races
Long chundan snake boats, each with a large crew of oarsmen, race on Payippad lake, 6 km from Haripad.
How the three days run
Kerala Tourism notes that Payippad is a three-day event, unlike most Kerala boat races, which last a single day. The race is conducted by the Travancore Devaswom Board.
- Thiruvonam: boats to the temple
The snake boats arrive at Aranazhika Nelpurakadavu, where by legend the idol was received. By afternoon the official races on Payippad lake are under way.
- Avittam: the water procession
A water procession with floats and art forms.
- Chathayam: the final
The snake-boat final. Smaller classes race too: iruttukuthi, veppu and churulan boats.
The legend behind the race
The festival is a temple festival first. As Kerala Tourism tells it, while the Haripad temple was being renovated, a priest dreamt that an idol of Lord Subrahmanya (Murugan) lay under the water where a whirlpool turned on Kayamkulam lake. The idol was found in Govindamuttam lake at Kayamkulam, received at Aranazhika Nelpurakadavu and brought to Haripad by boat, with boats from the villages as escort. The three race days recall that journey.
The temple, known as Dakshina Palani, the Palani of the south, is counted among the oldest temples in Kerala; the present building dates from the reign of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma of Travancore. Payippad itself is often called one of the oldest boat races in the state.
Getting to Haripad
Haripad is a small town in Alappuzha district on National Highway 66, between Alappuzha and Kollam, and its railway station is in the town centre. The nearest airport is Kochi, about 114 km away. Payippad, where the races are held, is about 6 km from Haripad. Few outside visitors come, so the festival is easy to combine with an Onam stay in the backwaters; Kerala Tourism covers it among its Onam boat races.
Kerala’s boat race season
Payippad falls in the week of Onam. It pairs with the Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali on the Pampa and with the Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha, the best-known race, which has a date of its own. It is still the monsoon season, so expect rain.
FAQ
When is Payippad Jalotsavam?
12–15 September 2027 (expected). It runs on the Thiruvonam, Avittam and Chathayam days of Onam, in the Malayalam month of Chingam, with the final on Chathayam (15 September 2027, expected).
On which river is the Payippad boat race held?
On the Achankovil river at Payippad, about 6 km from Haripad in Alappuzha district; the stretch is also called Payippad lake.
Which temple is linked to the race?
The Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple in Haripad. By legend, the race recalls the boat journey that brought the temple its idol of Subrahmanya from the lake at Kayamkulam.
Which is the biggest boat race in Kerala?
The best known is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race on Punnamada lake in Alappuzha. Payippad is smaller, is often called one of the oldest and, unlike most, runs over three days.
Facts checked: 22 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.