June
15, 16 -
Ochira kali (Near Kayamkulam, Alappuzha)
18 - Kottiyur Revati, Hindu pilgrim centre in Kannur dist. It is 2 hour by bus from Thalassery via Koothuparambu. Oodapoo is the prasad.
July
06 -
Chambakulam Moolam boat race (near Ambalapuzha, Alappuzha)
21 - Karkidavavu; Varkala, Tirunelli (Wayanad), Tirunavaya (Malappuram) & Sankhumukham beach (Thiruvananthapuram), Tiruvambadi Sree Krishna temple Alappuzha
28 - St Alphonsa's feast at St Mary's church Bharananganam (near Pala, Kottyam).
August
6 to 15 - Bangalore (Karnataka) flower show
8 -
Nehru Trophy Boat race at Punnamada (Alappuzha) 2 pm. Mrs Sonia Gandhi will be the Chief guest.
15 - Independence Day parade at New Delhi and other State capitals.
23 -
Tripunithura Attachamayam (Ernakulam), Thrikkakara temple fest. Ganesh Chaturthi and Dahi Handi is celebrated all over Maharashtra mainly in Pune and Mumbai.
Athachamayam
This is a colorful procession with caparisoned elephants, colourful floats and some of the awesome art forms of Kerala including Theyyam, Panchavadyam, Chendamelam, Pambamelam, Karakattam, Mayilattom, Ammankudam and Aattakavadi and Pulikali. One can also have a look on the pookkalams, floral decorations to welcome King Mahabali (Maveli), who is believed to have ruled the land, according to mythology. Celebrated at Thripunithura near Kochi during Onam Season.
Chundan vallams or snake boats are narrow boats over 30 m long, with a raised prow that stands 3 m above water and resembles the hood of a snake. Traditionally these were used by local rulers to transport soldiers during waterfront wars. In modern times, it has spawned a new sport – the Vallam Kali (boat race). Each 'chundan vallam' accommodates about a hundred muscular oarsmen.
Boat races are occasions of great excitement and entertainment with thousands gathered on the banks to watch and cheer. Most of these races are held in the Kuttanad region of Alappuzha.
Nehru Trophy Boat race
When Jawaharlal Nehru visited Kerala in 1952, four traditional chundan valloms went to receive him. A snake boat race was organised for him. He was so impressed that when he went back to Delhi, he sent back a gleaming silver trophy for a boat race. Even today, the 1.5 km Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most prestigious. It is held during the Onam harvest festival in August in Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha.
The types of boats take part in this competition includes the bean-shaped boats, Kitetailed, curly-headed and so on. Between 30 and 60 metres long with tall, cone shaped, tapering helms protruding several metres above water and accommodating 100 or more at the oars, these boats of exquisite elegance plough the water with the rhythm of drums and cymbals and legendary songs, typical of Kerala. Above each boat gleam scarlet silk umbrellas as the boats go in procession in the backwaters and rivers of a Kerala, which remind one of the sea-faring and martial traditions of ancient Kerala.
Other renowned boat races are Indira Gandhi Boat Race, Champakulam Moolam Boat Race (near Ambalapuzha), Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali (near Chengannur), Payippad Jalotsavam (near Harippad), Kallada boat race, Kottayam boat race (Tazhathangady) and Kumarakom Boat Race (near Kottayam).