Payippad Boat Race

Payippad boat race is a very popular event held every year in the month of either August or September. It is a major event that attracts a huge crowd from all over the state.  The boat race is held in Payippadu near Harippad in Kerala.  The main attraction, are the 100 feet long boats that are decorated beautifully by local craftsmen. These boats are popularly known as 'chundan vallams' or snake boats and can accommodate more than 100 people at a time. Usually, musicians who sing and play instruments, accompany the oarsmen to keep up the energy levels and at the same time make the atmosphere lively and electrifying. The Payippad boat race is organized to commemorate the installation of idol at Subramanya Swami temple and attracts thousands of spectators. The race has a legendary story behind its inception. It is said that when residents of the Haripad village decided to build a temple dedicated to Sree Ayyappa, they had a vision. In the vision they were directed to install the idol of Sri Subramanya and were also told that they will find the idol under a whirlpool in Kayamkulam river. What is more interesting is that the idol was discovered accordingly by the village divers and swimmers and brought back to the village and installed it in the temple. The Payippad Boat Race took birth as a tribute to the incident. The Payippad festival also witnesses classical and spectacular folk art performances. Though the festival stretches to three days the main event will be held on 28th August.