Champakulam Boat Race
The traditional annual boat race of Kerala begins in July at Champakulam. Champakulam Boat Race in Champakulam Lake announces the starting of the boat festival season and month of festivals. This festival is known as “Moolam Vallamkali”. “Moolam signifies Malayalam Nakshathram Moolam in the month of Mithunam. This is the much oldest Boat Race in Kerala.

Champakulam boat race is closely connected to the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha sree Krishna Temple. The idol for Ambalappuzha temple was taken from Karikulam temple. When it was taking back to Ambalappuzha ,the Christian subjects of Champakulam and near by places also travelled and accompanied King and his men till the installation duly done and shown all support throughout.
The King was happy with Christain Subjects’ love and affection, declared that henceforth, to commemorate these events, a great water carnival would be held at Champakulam every year, on Moolam day in the Malayalam month of Mithunam. Thus began the Champakulam Snake Boat Race and related functions, which continue to this very day. The enchanting idol of the temple was carved out of black granite.
Special privileges were also given to the Christian household who gave shelter to Raja on the way to idol installation. They had been given lands and coconut groves to supply the oil for the lamp.