Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

The Aranmula boat race is held during the harvest festival of Onam, on the Pamba River near the Sree Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula. The head of the boat is usually fantastically decorated with golden lace, a flag, and chains of flowers; often the boats have an ornamental umbrella towards the centre of the vessel. Each snake boat belongs to a village along the banks of the River Pamba, and is named after its home. Prior to the race, the snake boats participate in a grand procession with oarsmen and singers on board.