ARANMULA: The annual Uthrittathi snake boat race was held in the Pampa at Aranmula on Sunday with traditional fervour and gaiety after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus. Mallapuzhassery and Edappavoor palliyodams (snake boats) won the Mannam Trophy in batches A and B, respectively, of the race.
Kuriyannoor palliyodam bagged the second prize in the ‘A’ batch while Pulloopram came second in the ‘B’ batch race. Nair Service Society president M Sasikumar distributed the prizes to the winners. As many as 49 boats participated in the race held in two batches.
The event began with a ceremonial procession of snake boats in the afternoon. Swami Nirvinnananda Maharaj lit the lamp to mark the launch of the event. Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony flagged off the procession of the participating boats while former Mizoram governor Kummanam Rajasekharan flagged off the race.
District panchayat president Omalloor Sankaran felicitated veteran ‘vanchipattu’ (song sung in chorus by oarsmen) singers. The annual festival also marks the idol installation anniversary at the centuries sold Sree Parthasarathy temple.
Following the Covid outbreak, there were restrictions on the participation of boats in the race. Braving the scorching sun, thousands of people gathered on both sides of the river to witness the race.