
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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Interior view of houseboats in the backwaters of Kerala... Houseboat (Kettuvallam) is a kind of house boat in Kerala, India. Kettuvallam literally means "bundle" or "package" boat ( Kettu means tied with ropes, and vallam means boat - Malayalam language). A house boat is about 60 to 70 feet in length and has a width of around 15 feet in the middle. The boat is made of wooden planks joined and stiched together using coconut fiber ropes.Usually the wood used will be 'Anjili', The roof covering is made of bamboo poles and palm leaves. The outside of the boat is painted using cashew nut oil, which acts asa protective coating. During the time when road and rail transportation was expensive or unavailable, traders used Kettuvallam as a form of backwater lifemain transportation in the inland wate
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boats · sport
Support and rescue boats operate alongside traditional Chundan Vallam snake boats during a Vallam Kali (snake boat race) in Kerala, India.

boats · sport
Snake boats take to the Kerala backwaters during preparations for a Vallam Kali boat race in Kerala, India.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.