Kerala, especially Alappuzha is famous for Snake Boats or locally cally Chundan Vallams. Snake boat races (chundan vallam kali) is normally conducted during Kerala's main festival (Onam) season.

Snake boats are constructed in wood with a lenght of 100 to 160ft and the rear portion towering to a height of 20ft. Normally a snake boat can contain up to 128 oarsmen including 4 main orsmen holding pankayam and who directs the boat. There will be few singers and a capain.

Main boat races in kerala are Nehru Trophy boat race, Payippad vallam kali, Chambakkulam moolam vallam kali, Karuvatta leading channel boat race etc

---