Snake boat race support boats and Kerala backwaters during Vallam Kali
boats · sport
Support and rescue boats operate alongside traditional Chundan Vallam snake boats during a Vallam Kali (snake boat race) in Kerala, India.
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Meet the people who row their hearts out in the Kerala snake boat races
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Captain of the winning team from the last snake boat race held in 2019 along with his enthusiastic teammates. Vallam kali (vaḷḷaṃ kaḷi, literally: boat game) is a traditional boat race in Kerala, India. It is a form of canoe racing, and uses paddled war canoes. It is mainly conducted during the season of the harvest festival Onam in spring. Vallam kali includes races of many kinds of paddled longboats and 'snake boats'. Each team spends about 6 lakh rupees for the Nehru Trophy. The race of chundan vallam ('snake boat', about 30-35 meter (100-120 feet) long with 64 or 128 paddlers aboard is the major event. Hence Vallam Kali is also known as the snake boat race and is a major tourist attraction. Other types of boats which do participate in various events in the race are churulan vallam, iru
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Result 2Kerala snake boat race preparations and rowing on scenic backwaters
boats · sport
Snake boats take to the Kerala backwaters during preparations for a Vallam Kali boat race in Kerala, India.
Result 3Kerala snake boat race officials monitor start on backwaters
sport · boats
Officials oversee the start of a traditional snake boat race on the Kerala backwaters in India. A motorised judging boat displays a prominent "STARTER" banner, with race officials positioned on board to supervise the event.
Result 4Snake Boat Race rowers gather before the competition begins in Punnamada Lake, in Kerala
sport · boats
Participants in a traditional Kerala Snake Boat Race (Vallam Kali) as they wait for their turn before the competition. The rowers, dressed in coordinated race attire, walk along a paved pathway leading towards the waterfront staging area.
Result 5Traditional Boat racing on the Backwaters of Kerala
Alappuzha, Kerala·boats · sport
The viewing area of a traditional Vallam Kali (Snake Boat Race) held on the scenic backwaters of Kerala, India. Spectators gather along the waterfront as Chundan Vallams (Snake Boats) line up near the riverbank in preparation for the race.
Result 6Festival atmosphere during Kerala's famous Snake Boat Race on Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha
Kerala·boats · sport
The lively atmosphere of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (Vallam Kali) on Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha, Kerala, India. Large crowds gather along the lakeside to watch the traditional Chundan Vallam (Snake Boat) teams compete across the water.
Result 7Houseboats cruise through the Kerala Backwaters under monsoon skies
Alappuzha, Kerala·river · monsoon
The Kerala Backwaters in Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kerala, India, under an overcast monsoon sky. Traditional houseboats (Kettuvallams) navigate the wide canals while smaller motorboats travel between villages.
Result 8Traditional snake boats race across Punnamada Lake during Kerala's Nehru trophy boat race
Alappuzha, Kerala·boats · sport
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race (Vallam Kali) on Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, Kerala, India. Teams compete in traditional Chundan Vallams (Snake Boats), recognised by their long wooden hulls and distinctive elevated sterns.