Chundaanvallam (Snake Boat) is so called because of its pointed prow. The term snake boat comes from its stern, which represents the raised, the hood of a snake and its length. The front end of this type of boat will be tapering in shape and the rear end will be very high from the water level. They have a length of about 60-65 meters and a capacity carrying hundred to hundred and ten people during the race time. The stern is majestically caparisoned and decorated with a flag and brass ornaments. Silken parasols are arrayed along the entire length of the boat. There will be almost 95 oarsmen, 5 Amarakkar (Controllers) and 10 'Nilakkar' (persons supposed to enhance the vigor and enthusiasm of the participating oarsman). It has got a resemblance to the shape of a snake, when it advances in a competition and hence became popular as snake boats. Snake boats are the traditional battle vessels of Kerala known as Chundan vallams. They were originally designed as a naval vessel used for battle.

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1: Champakulam Boat Race -- Event Date: June 30, 2007.
Venue: Champakulam, Alappuzha district.

The boat race season of Kerala begins with the Champakulam Vallamkali or boat race, one of the most popular boat races of the State. The highlights of this magnificent event include a ceremonial procession on the water, spectacular water floats, decorated boats and, of course, the regal chundanvalloms (snake boats) (so called because the prow resembles the raised hood of a snake), each 100 feet long!

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Alappuzha about 26 km away.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha.

2: Nehru Trophy Boat Race --Event Date : August 11, 2007.
Venue: Punnamada Backwaters, Alappuzha district.

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the greatest event on the backwaters of Kerala. The race is held on the second Saturday of August every year. Magnificent snake boats compete for the prized trophy instituted by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. Apart from the races of chundanvalloms (snake boats) and of smaller country crafts, the event offers many fascinating sights such as ceremonial water processions, spectacular floats and decorated boats.

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Alappuzha, about 8 km away.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha.

3: Indira Gandhi Boat Race -- date not declared.
Venue: The Kochi backwaters, near Marine Drive.

The Indira Gandhi Boat Race is organized as part of Celebration Kochi. Sixteen majestic snake boats race neck to neck in gaiety to the sky - rending cheers of the crowds of spectators. The coveted trophy of the race has been instituted in memory of Indira Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India.

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam about 3km.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 20 km from Ernakulam town.

4: Payippad Boat Race, Alappuzha - Event Date : August 28, 2007.
Venue: Payippad near Harippad, Alappuzha district.

Apart from the snake boat races, the Payippad boat race also includes extravagant water pageants with floats and decorated boats, classical and folk art performances and so on.

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Harippad, about 5 km away.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha.

5: Aranmula Boat Race -- August 30, 2007.
Venue: River Pampa, Aranmula, Chengannur
The Aranmula Vallamkali is held during the Onam season. The regatta, celebrated as a grand social event today, has a religious origin. In the olden days, vegetables, cereals and other food materials required for the Thiruvonasadya (the grand Onam feast), prepared as a ritual offering at the Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple, were brought in a procession of snake boats. It is to commemorate this ritualistic journey that the famous Aranmula vallamkali is conducted.
Before the grand procession, the snake boats assemble near the Sree Parthasarathy Temple. Each boat is 100 feet long and accommodates four helmsmen, 100 oarsmen and 25 singers. The boats move in pairs to full-throated singing and shouting, watched by a crowd of hundreds.

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Chengannur, about 10km away.
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 117 km away