Aranmula Vallamkali

Kerala is a land dotted with water bodies and rivers. In places like Kuttanad, habitations are in the coastal estuaries and people move around in boats. It is primary transport at many places even today, despite many roads being built in the modern era. For Aranmula on the banks of the river Pampa, what was once the central means of transport, the villages on each bank own Chundan Vallams, snake boats, and these parade on the eve of the temple festival. The boats are kept in specially made enclosures and maintained with meticulous care. These are oiled frequently and even worshipped. They are only taken out on the days of the festival.
 
These boats assemble at dawn and sail in pairs for about 2 hours through the river. What gives a majestic sight with all the color and gaiety. A colorful and decorated umbrella, muthukuda, also will be there. Each boat normally has a Karanavan or Karanathan, who leads, about four helmsmen, hundred rowers and around twenty five singers. After the event there is an elaborate feast in the Aranmula temple called Valla Sadya which is an apex model of feasting. The snake boats, chundan vallam, are unique to Kerala and are built with meticulous care and only highly skilled master craftsmen have the knowledge to build these.
 
These are cases of a highly evolved naval architecture of the land and were perhaps used for warfare at one point in time. Coupled with the Kalari, martial art culture of Kerala, this must have been a device which later became ornamental. The swift movement that these boats are able to make surprise onlookers. This is made possible also due to the highly skilled and daring people who man these boats. The boats from 52 Karas now take part in the Aranmula Vallam Kali which has become an international tourist attraction. From Chennithala in the west to Ranni in the east Vallams take part.

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