Kerala-God’s Own Country-is a blessed land of backwaters and beautiful beaches and a number of water sports are associated with the major lakes/rivers in Kerala. Boat races are the major among them and they have always been a part of tradition of Kerala and it is being organized by a number of social and religious organizations. These races are organized specifically during temple festivals, which give this water sports an aura of religious sanctity. A few out of these races are ancient and have different myths and legends attached to them. The Snake boat races, commonly known by the natives as Chundanvallams, are the most popular. These races are organized at different places in Kerala including Punnamada in Alappuzha.
Major Boat Races in Kerala are:
a. Champakulam Moolam Boat Race
b. Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali
c. Payippad Jalotsavam
d. Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Every year the boat race is being organized by people living in Evoor north, south and north west on karkadaka sankrama day (first day of malayalam month 'Karkkidakam'). The boat with the garland given from temple sanctum sanctorum will move to Pathiyoor Devi temple with the accompaniments of vadya melam and vanchipattu. At the Pathiyoor Devi temple, they will be welcomed by thambulam (betal leaf), karikku (tender coconut) and vazhakkula (banana). After giving their offerings to temple, people will return to Evoor. Later there will be saynapradakshinom (is done in a lying posture the devotees have eight parts of their bodies touching the ground) at Arattu kottaram. After the vazhipadu vallasadhya (feast), boats and kali vallams containing the idol of Sreekrishna will move in a procession to Kannamangalam temple for darshan. The sankrama festival will end by the karikku function to be held in front of sribudhanatha sannidhi of temple premise.