Indira Gandhi Boat Race

Indira Gandhi Boat Race is a grand festival on the backwaters of Kochi. This boat race is one of the most popular vallam Kali or snake boat race in Kerala. This festival is conducted to promote Kerala tourism. This race with its heart throbbing rhythm of drum music provides an unforgettable experience to the spectators. It is conducted in the last week of December, and it is the finale to the Tourism Fair, which attracts travellers from all parts of the globe. Kuttanad and the upper Kuttanad area are just one of the most famous boat racing spots. Since most of the natives of Kerala are agriculturists and fishermen by profession, boat races help to unwind them and show off their graceful and muscular physique as they work with each other as a team to win the race. Both the oarsmen and boats are selected carefully irrespective of their caste, creed or classes, merely, on the basis of their performances. Thus, a communal harmony is promoted through such events and a bond of union binds all the classes as one. A total of 16 boats compete with each other. Cheering crowds, zest and festivity abound when the sixteen majestic snake boats race neck to neck in gaiety, each vying for the coveted trophy of the race, which was instituted in memory of Indira Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India.