Payippad Boat Race

It is considered to be one of the richest cultures in the world. A tour to Kerala reveals many of the best-kept secrets of India. The entirety of “God’s Own Country,” as Kerala is also known, is a tourist’s paradise, with the famed backwaters of Kerala playing one of the most famous roles in Indian tourism.

It influences the various rituals and festivals, with a number of the festivals celebrated in Kerala resembling some of the myths and legends of Kerala. One of these is the Payippad Boat Race, a festival that perfectly combines the rich folklore and the natural abundance of the land.

History of Payippad Boat Race

Bearing a close resemblance to one of the best-loved legends of Kerala, the Payippad Boat Race is an homage to two of the most revered deities of Kerala: Lord Sree Ayyappan and Lord Subramanya. The legend relates that the people of Haripad Village once decided to build a Sree Ayyappan temple in their village premises.

However, just before the temple was about to begin, the villagers had a vision that the idol of Sri Subramanya Swami should be installed in the temple. The image also stated that the idol would be found in the Kayamkulam River, within which a whirlpool would be formed, serving as God’s temporary abode.

True to the words of the vision, the villagers found the Subramanya Vigraha in the whirlpool of the Kayamkulam River, which they ceremoniously brought back to their village. The journey of the idol was accompanied by countless devotees in several well-decorated colored boats.

For how many days is the Payippad Boat Race celebrated?

This incident is ceremoniously enacted every year for three days during the Payippad Boat Race in Kerala.

When is the Payippad Boat Race celebrated?

The Payippad Boat Race, one of Kerala’s most popular boat races, is a three-day affair, generally occurring during August or September. The festival, which is usually celebrated at the Payippad Lake in Haripad, a picturesque region about 35 kilometers away from the district of Alleppey or Alappuzha, is one of the most colorful festivals in Kerala.

Start date: 08-09-2022 (tentative)
End date: 10-09-2022 (tentative)
Venue: Payippad Backwaters
Location: Alappuzha
District: Alappuzha

If you are planning to enjoy the Payippad Boat Race, then check out our Kerala tour packages.