A scene from the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race in Alappuzha, which heralds the start of the season in Kerala. Photo: Dennis Marcus Mathew
The over 400-year-old race is the first in a series of similar events, including the internationally popular 59-year-old Nehru Trophy race, which will be held over the next three months across the State. Photo: Dennis Marcus Mathew
A total of 35 boats, including nine snake boats, took part in the various categories of the race. The winner in the snake boat category takes home the historic Raja Pramukhan Trophy. Photo: Dennis Marcus Mathew
An enthusiastic spectator at the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race. Photo: Dennis Marcus Mathew
A boy watches from his makeshift vantage point at the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race. Photo: Dennis Marcus Mathew
The festivities that are held as a prelude to the race began with a cultural procession on Wednesday. Several boat clubs have been sweating it out on the waters of the Pampa, taking trial after trial over the last one week. Photo: Dennis Marcus Mathew
A spectator floats placidly, watching the furious rowing at the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race. Photo: Dennis Marcus Mathew
The other popular boat races that will follow the Champakulam race in Alappuzha include the Payipad Boat Race, the Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race at Pulinkunnu and the Karuvatta, Mannar and Neerattupuram boat races. Photo: Dennis Marcus Mathew