Kallada Boat Race

About this event

The Kallada Boat Race, also known as Kallada Jalotsavam, is an annual traditional boat race held at Munroe Thuruthu (Munroe Island) in Kollam district, forming one of the important snake-boat competitions of Kerala’s Onam season. The race takes place on the Kallada River at the Puthiraparambu–Karuthrakadavu–Nettayam stretch, where a 1,400-metre racing course provides the setting for competition between prominent snake boats and boat clubs. Held on the 28th day of Onam in the Malayalam month of Kanni, the event traditionally marks the culmination of Kerala’s major Onam-season boat races. The long, narrow chundan vallams move in powerful unison as teams of rowers maintain coordinated strokes to the rhythm of traditional boat songs, creating a spectacle that combines sporting skill, teamwork and community participation. The race is deeply connected with the riverine character of Munroe Thuruthu, a cluster of islands known for its waterways, coconut groves, village landscapes and traditional livelihoods. On race day, spectators gather along the riverbanks to watch the closely contested heats and cheer for participating teams, turning the event into a major community celebration. The competition also provides a contemporary platform for the preservation of Kerala’s vallam kali tradition, in which boat design, rowing techniques, team coordination and musical traditions are passed through generations. The Kallada Boat Race is now included in Kerala Tourism’s Champions Boat League, placing this long-established local competition within the state’s organised circuit of major snake-boat races. The event is distinct from Kollam’s President’s Trophy Boat Race, which is held separately on Ashtamudi Lake; the Kallada race is specifically associated with Munroe Thuruthu and the Kallada River. The surrounding island landscape adds to the character of the occasion, with the waterways providing natural viewing areas and the village setting offering visitors an opportunity to experience a traditional Kerala festival beyond the larger urban venues. The exact race programme and participating teams may vary by year, but the event remains closely tied to the Onam calendar. For 2026, Kerala Tourism’s official event calendar lists the Kallada Boat Race in September, while the established 28th-day-of-Onam tradition places it after Thiruvonam on August 26. The race therefore forms an important link between Kerala’s festive calendar, living water-based traditions and the sporting culture of its backwater communities.

🚆 Railway: Kollam Junction Railway Station — approximately 17 km from Munroe Thuruthu. (Kerala Tourism)

✈️ Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport — approximately 80 km from Munroe Thuruthu. (Kerala Tourism)

🚌 Bus: Munroe Thuruthu is accessible by road from Kollam and nearby towns; Kottarakkara KSRTC Bus Stand is approximately 24 km away. Local road access and boat services within Munroe Thuruthu vary by the exact viewing or race location. (Kerala Tourism)

🏨 Stay: Accommodation is available on and around Munroe Island, including homestays and other tourist stays. Kerala Tourism’s approved accommodation listings include properties in the Munroe Island/East Kallada area. (Kerala Tourism)

✅ Notes: The Kallada Boat Race is held on the 28th day of Onam and is part of Kerala Tourism’s Champions Boat League. Kerala Tourism’s 2026–27 event calendar lists the race in September 2026.