Marking the beginning of the first snake boat races in Kerala, the Chambakulam Moolam Boat Race started in the backwaters near Alleppey in Kerala.
The race is the first one of the season and from now on there will be more than 15 such small and big races during this season.
Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race to be held in the second week of August is considered to the best among all.
Champakulam race which is held every year during the mid monsoon season was witnessed by scores of enthusiasts gathered from in and around the village.
The race is over 400 years old and makes the villagers forget their communal and religious barriers and put in all their efforts in making it a success.
Various types of boats are introduced during the race but the real attraction remains snake boats due to its length and speed. Chundans are the boats over 100 feet in length with raised prows and the foreign rulers first called them snake boats.
The festivities include country boats, canoes and spectacular water floats.
