Season of boat races begins in Kerala
Alappuzha, July 02 (ANI): The season of boat races in Kerala has begun with the Champakulam Moolam boat race. The Champakulam boat race marks the onset of the season of boat races in Kerala leading to the famous Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race that is held in the second week of August every year. The Champakulam boat race commemorates the installation of idol of Hindu god Krishna at a local temple in Ambalappuzha town more than 400 years back. People pay respects to the Kalloorkkad church and the Mappilasserry 'tharavad', a Christian family at Champakulam village, before the start of the race. Elaborating on the history behind the tradition, chief guest at the boat race, Kodikkunnil Suresh, said that four centuries back a Christian family protected the idol of a Hindu god which was later installed at a temple in Ambalappuzha town.
