August will see a sense of adventure return to Kerala with the 8th edition of the famed Malabar River Festival. Featuring a set of watersports like kayak slalom and boater cross, the event will take place in Kozhikode’s Thusharagiri region on August 12,13, and 14. Here’s all about it. By Eshita Srinivas
God’s Own Country is known to host a flurry of tourists every year. Between the ample verdant coffee plantations, pristine beaches, and thriving wildlife sanctuaries – there’s plenty to discover in Kerala. Adding to the itinerary is the 8th edition of the Malabar River Festival, which is making a comeback after a two-year gap owing to the pandemic. Organised by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society, the event will feature adventure enthusiasts testing their mettle in the rapids of the Iruvazhinjipuzha and Chalipuzha tributaries of the Chaliyar River.
Malabar River Festival 2022 features extreme races
AUGUST ADVENTURE ALERT!
The 8th edition of the Malabar River Festival organised by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society will be held at Thusharagiri on August 12,13 and 14. Watch this space for more details. #MalabarRiverFestival #PackUpForKerala #KeralaTourism pic.twitter.com/1sWdXQtJyl
— Kerala Tourism (@KeralaTourism) June 22, 2022
With the onset of monsoons adding a certain vigour and fervour to rivers in Kerala, the event will see kayakers and adventurers – professional and amateur – battling the most challenging rapids. The continuous rapids, as well as mild temperatures in Thusharagiri, make it the ideal spot for the festival.
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This event is hailed as one of the biggest white-water rafting festivals in Asia. Featured here are water sports like kayak slalom, boater cross, and downwater races. Winners of these are famously crowned the ‘Rapid Rani’ and ‘Rapid Raja’ and are handed cash prizes.
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This year’s rendition is slated to be bigger and better. It will also see about 100 foreign kayakers from over 20 countries, the Kerala tourism minister PA Mohammad Riyaz stated as per a report by The Indian Express. Although primarily catering to the participants, a throng of tourists and locals often populate the rivers to get a glimpse of the adrenaline-fuelled races. This helps promote tourism and uplift the economy of the region.
That aside, there are opportunities to indulge in a bit of white water rafting despite not being a participant. Those willing to learn could also sign up at the kayak training centre. No further information about the event is available as of yet.
All images: Malabar Fest/Instagram
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