Alleppey

Festive Celebrations

Definitely one of the most important celebrations here is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race held in August on the Punnamada Lake. The highlight of this boat race is the gigantic snake-boats and chundans, which are manned by almost 100 rowers. Today the Boat Race has grown into Alleppey's single most important tourist event, with each boat being sponsored by a different village. Competition is severe as the boats race to the finish point to the accompaniment of rousing music and great cheering by the crowd. Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple Festival is celebrated in the month of February/March in Mavelikkara. Witnessing great participation by locals, processions of floats, brightly decorated effigies of horses and bullocks make a spectacular pageant. Navarathri, Chirappu Mahotsavam and Thaipooyakavadi Festivals are celebrated at the Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple and include a nine-day Navarathri Festival marked by colourful processions of elephants on the last two auspicious days, and cultural programs including Ottanthullal. During the Thaipooyakavadi Festival about fifteen palanquin bearers take part in a spectacular procession. St. George's Church Festival includes the Edathua Feast of St. George beginning on April 27 and concluding on May 7. Processions of the gold decked statue of the Saint are carried to the main dais, and the festival culminates with great fireworks and devotees rolling on the ground as a sign of their worship. Believed to be a centre of great miracles, devotees offer serpents or human organs made of silver and gold in a bid to cure themselves of diseases.