Gothuruth to celebrate 75 yrs of boat race

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When the waves of Punnamada kayal come to rest, it is time for the waters around the sleepy hamlet of Gothuruth in Ernakualm to reverberate as the boatsmen strike their oars to the rhythm of songs.

The Gothuruth boat race (GBR) is all set to become the first in Ernakulam district to celebrate platinum jubilee on September 16.

In the heartland of ‘Muziris’ a mega heritage tourism project with an investment of more than Rs 260 crore, the boat race is set to give the land a new place in history.

This year’s GBR edition will be held at the Kadalvathruth Holy Cross boat jetty which forms the focal point of ‘Muziris’ also the finishing point of the race.

Since 1938, the boat race has been conducted every year on the third Sunday of September which also happens to be the feast day of Holy Cross church.

GBR race ensures the active participation of tens of thousands of residents belonging to the Muziris islands of Gothurthu, Kurumbathurthu, Valiya Panickan thruruth, Sathar Island and Pazhamibilli Thruruth. The chief organizer of the race is the Gothuruth Sports and Arts Club.

According to the organsiers, the GBR forms a mega fest of the more than 7,000 families in the various islands in the vicinity. And this being the 75th year, the organizers expect thousands of both national and foreign tourists come there as spectators.

Initially it was the over 2,500 families of the island of Gothuruth who have been extending financial support for this grand water mela. Now there come in donations which are seen as an extension to the offerings made for the Holy Cross feast.

And to add glory to the race, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to inaugurate 'Musiris' waterways and museums two days before.