Here, the majestic chundans move in a ritualistic procession and does not exhibit its racing prowess. About 30 festooned chundans participate in the water regatta. This annual event has its significance attached to the Parthasarathy Temple in Aranmula, dedicated to Lord Krishna - the preserver and restorer of life, and his charioteer Arjuna. The one at Aranmula is distinct for its traditional gaiety, where the crafts known as ‘Palliyodams,’ which are very much similar to that of Chundans are taken out in procession through the River Pamba. These boat races are conducted immediately after the harvest season, and serves as an occasion for the farmers to regale following a good harvest. These venues except Aranmula are located in a region called ‘Kuttanad’ in the District of Alappuzha, which is also known as the rice bowl of Kerala. Except Aranmula, rest of the venues like Champakkulam, Payippad and Alappuzha are popular for the boat races that involves sheer spirit and ecstasy of the participants and the onlookers, as the majestic race crafts called the ‘Chundans’ rip through the placid waters to the uproarious cheers of the crowd. The most spectacular of water regattas are held at Aranmula, Champakkulam, Alappuzha and Payippad. It's an incomparable sight and that is why every year, people from all over the world come to Kerala to watch the chundans during Onam. These spectacular, gargantuan 'water snakes' are manned by over a hundred oarsmen who row to the beat of songs, accompanied by drums and cymbals. Teams compete in a variety of boats, both big and small but the one that really brings the crowds in is the Chundan vallom or the snake boat.
The thrilling races on the beautiful coconut-tree fringed backwaters and rivers are a sight to behold. The most spectacular and most competitive Onam sport is the vallomkali - the boat race. Vadamvali or tug-of-war, an Indian favourite for occasions of celebration, is played with great enthusiasm all across the State during Onam. When the player finally succeeds in catching the pot, he breaks open the bottom and drinks the delicious curd inside. Two people who hold long ropes tied to the pot control the movements of the pot swinging it towards and away from the player. In Uriyadi, a player tries to catch a swinging earthen pot. This fascinating sport, loved by people all over the world since ancient times, streaks the skies with psychedelic hues adding to the charm and the beauty of Onam. The Keralite who enjoys the outdoors of his beautiful land loves to fly kites during Onam. While the game is on, the den and the rest of the players engage in a loud dialogue that entertains spectators and adds to the excitement of the game. The Olenjaali stands in the middle of a chain formed by the rest of the women to protect her. Here, the den tries to touch the ‘Olenjaali’, one of the women, with a branch. Olenjaali, also the name of a common bird in Kerala, is an Onam sport for women. Naadanpanthukali, a game that may be described as a combination between football and cricket played in the country style, is popular in the villages of Kerala. If and when she succeeds, the person in whose hand the nut was intercepted becomes the next den. The blindfolded ‘den’ who stands in the middle has to try and grab the nut being passed.
Here, the players sit in a circle and pass a ripe areca nut, keeping their hands behind and singing a special song. Manikkyachembazhukka is a game for women. The prize usually would be in the form of sweetmeats or money. In Kazhakayattam, a game for youngsters, the competitors attempt to climb a long, oil-slicked pole to get to the prize tied on the top. The game ends either when the ‘egg’ has been stolen or when the den manages to make physical contact with all four men. If the den succeeds in touching one of them, that player is out of the game. The den, who is allowed to run along the inner lines of the small squares tries to touch the men with his hands and feet. The men trying to steal the ‘egg’ stand in four squares drawn inside the big one. In Kilithattu, a game popular in the villages of Kerala, the den protects a stone – the ‘egg’ – placed in the middle of a square, from four men. Oonjaalaattom - playing on swings by the women and children - is an integral part of Onam. Games like Onappanthu, Thalappanthu - both ball games, Ambaiyyal or bow and arrow, Cheettukali or card games, Aattakkalam kuthuka, Kambithayam, Kilikali or bird game, are traditionally for the men, Kannanamunnikkali, and so on for women and Onamkali and so on for children. After the Sadya and the siesta that follows is the time for games.
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