Harvest season brings boat races to India

Traditional Indian boat races are just one of the exciting aspects of the upcoming harvest season.

The upcoming harvest season will see many Indian locals taking to the winding backwaters of Kerala for the Champakulam Boat Race.

British culture vultures are urged to catch flights to India to catch this centuries old traditional competition, which marks the beginning of a month of festivities.

The boat races begin in Alappuzha on June 16th and run for ten days, but the harvest celebrations carry on for much longer.

Visitors to India can expect to see spectacular water floats, decorated boats, hear Vanchipattu (the song of the oarsmen) and watch the thrilling Chundanvallom race.

The boats competing are known as Chundans, or snake boats, and they can measure up to 100 metres long.

Due to their raised prows, they resemble the Norwegian boats of the same name, which led British colonial forces to give them this nickname.

Brits looking to catch the Indian harvest season can choose to fly with a range of airlines, including Jet Airways, Air India and Virgin Atlantic.

Written by Ruth Norris