Kerala and its zigzag backwaters are famous for its local boat races held in various parts of the State during the harvest season. The Champakulam boat race is the initial race held during this season and has a tradition of more than 500 years. The annual traditional boat race begins in late June and early July. This festival is acknowledged as ‘Moolam Vallamkali’. It is strongly connected to the Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. The race is carried out on the Moolam day in the Malayalam month Midhunam, the installation day of the deity at the Temple.