The Aranmula boat race takes place at Aranmula in Kerala with big crowds of spectators thronged on both sides of the great Pamba river. Lucky for me, Aranmula is hardly 6 kms away from my home and I try to be a part of this Onam event every year. More that 36 boats take part in this event and this year 30th of August was the day and I was there early and got my seat right on the river banks, couldn't ask for a better view. These kerala style boats can be as long as 200 meters, with a huge towering tail and is most adorably called Snake Boats. Each boat belongs to a town on either side of the river. It is a team event with more than 40 rowers rowing the boat with synchronised strokes towards the finishing line. The rowing is helped by few people at the centre of the boat who sing songs to get the rowers into a synchronised rowing.
The race started and excitment started flowing as most of the races were won by the favourites. This year 2 people died during the event, a rower on one of the boats drowned as his boat capsized and a spectator also slipped into the river. Sadly none of their bodies were recovered. This year the water level was higher than usual, but it didn't seem to dampen the spirits of the rowers. The finals was won by the boat from Melukara, they had won the trophy for a 3rd time in a row.
