Kumarakom Boat Race

This magnificent Kumarakom boat race honors the arrival of Sri Narayana Guru, one of Kerala's most important social reformers. The city celebrates on the day of Chathayam day. The Ezhava Samajam authorities had requested the Guru to construct a temple in Kumarakom. Guru consented to travel for the idol's dedication but requested that a school also be started at the same time. 

Kumarakom is the location that hosts the boat racing among the places to visit in Kumarakom. Throughout August and September, Backwaters hold a lot of special events. The backwaters caught fire during the thrilling races of the carved wooden boats. In association with Onam, a boat race happens during the harvest festival that takes place in August or September. Boat races for the Nehru Trophy. These activities attract a large number of long snake boats as well as various smaller vessels. The snake boat races, the biggest team sport in the world, are preceded by vibrant water parades. A snake boat typically has four helmsmen, 25 singers, and 100 to 125 oarsmen who all paddle together in time to the quick beat of the Vanchipattu (the boatman's song).

Thousands of spectators gather at the water's edge to applaud the enormous black vessels as they sail over the waves toward an impressive conclusion. The earliest of these events have fascinating folklore and mythology attached to them. Myths that are directly related to the beliefs of the rural population. One of the must-experiencing activities during the Kumarakom tour package. 

History of the Kumarakom Boat Race
    
Guru arrived in Kumarakom in 1903 aboard a boat with a large procession. He dedicated the idol, which had a depiction of Lord Subrahmanya and Pavel' (the divine spear). He also started a neighboring school from scratch. The Kumarakom Boat Race happens every year as a tribute to this occasion and organizing the procession to welcome Guru. Guru noticed that the people who had assembled to welcome him on that particular day in 1903 were sopping wet. He requested that the organizing committee members provide everyone with "Sharkara Payasam." Even now, the tradition of providing this delectable dessert as part of the celebration is still in place.