For the past 75 years, the people of Gothuruthu have been rowing to the rhythm of ‘Vanchippattu’. Come September, and the colourful snake boat race will complete its Platinum Jubilee at Gothuruthu, a village near North Paravur.
According to the organisers, this is the first instance of a boat race completing 75 years in Ernakulam district. “The Gothuruthu Boat Race (GBR) is held in the heartland of ‘Muziris’, the country’s best heritage tourism project. Since 1938, the races have been conducted on the third Sunday of September, which also happens to be the feast day of Holy Cross,” said Martin Daniel, secretary of the Sports and Arts Club, which is organising the event.
“On September 23, the picturesque backwaters will be rippling in excitement as over a hundred thousand men and women gather on the banks to witness the spectacular water regatta,” Daniel said.
The Chundan Vallam race will be the major attraction and four snake boats will participate this time. The contest of the ‘Iruttukuthi’ boats will set the ball rolling for the pulsating battle of the ‘Chundans’. At least 12 Iruttukuthi boats will participate in two categories.
Club members add that the boat race is also a mark of religious harmony. The tributary of the Periyar, which is the venue for the GBR, has the Moothakunnam Sree Narayanamangalam temple and the Kadalvathurthu Holy Cross Church on either of its banks. “This being the platinum jubilee year, we are making all efforts to conduct the race as a mega event. The presence of two Union ministers and celebrities will add to the occasion,” Daniel said.
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