Kallada Jalotsavam to be held on September 23
Marking a milestone for the event, nine snakeboats that triumphed in the Nehru Trophy Boat Race alongside over 15 small traditional boats will participate in the competition, making it the highest number of racing boats ever gathered on the Kallada river
The 54th Kallada Jalotsavam and the second leg of the 6th Champions Boat League (CBL), both organized by the State Tourism department, are set to take place on the Kallada river on September 23, 2026, according to Ullas Kovoor, an MLA. The festival has a history spanning 53 years, originally starting near the railway bridge near the Veerabhadraswamy temple.
However, it was temporarily halted in 2018 due to floods and again during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the CBL resuming post-pandemic, small boat competitions were discontinued, causing a decline in community involvement. In 2024, the traditional festival was revived on the 28th day of Onam by Mundrothuruthu grama panchayat and the Kallada Jalotsavam Committee, initially held on separate days.
Following discussions with Minister for Tourism and Culture P.C. Vishnunadh, it was decided to merge the Kallada Jalotsavam and CBL on the 28th day of Onam. Collaborative meetings involving the Tourism department, the Jalotsavam Committee, representatives from three local grama panchayats, boat club officials, and political party members finalized the joint hosting.
The event will be inaugurated by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, presided over by Ullas Kovoor, and graced by Minister Vishnunadh as the chief guest. Mr. Suresh will distribute the prizes. This year's competition will feature a record-breaking nine snakeboats (chundan vallam) from the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, along with over 15 small traditional boats in veppu and iruttukuthi categories, marking the largest gathering of racing boats on the Kallada river.
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