In ancient days snake boats
were originally used as battleships for taking
soldiers from place to place. Nowadays they
are used only on festive occasions and for races.
The long, slender and sleek boats bear testimony
to the architectural and design skills of great
craftsmen of yesteryears. The aerodynamically
designed but stunningly beautiful snake boats
can carry as many as 120 rowers who can race
through the long waterways at an amazing speed.
Almost all the snake boats of Kuttanad
now in operation have been built after 1940.
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The smaller sized Veppu boats
were originally built for accompanying the snake
boats to the battle front and for carrying food
for the soldiers. They can take as many as 60
rowers at a time.
The Iruttukuthy boats, mainly
used for night rides, were the favorite vehicles
of pirates in ancient times. The Churulans are
another type of long boats still widely used for
riding in the backwaters. |
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