Payippad Jalotsavam is fourth biggest Boat Race in Kerala. Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race, Champakkulam Moolam Boat Race are other biggest Boat Race in Kerala.There is a close relation between this Payippadu Vallam Kali and Subramanya Swamy Temple in Haripad.

The people of the Haripad village decided to build a Sree Ayyappan temple in accordance with a vision of a divote that they should install the idol of Subrahmanya, which they would find in the Kayamkulam River .They recovered the idol and it vas escorted back ceremoniously by devotees from the entire region in colorfully decorated boats. This happened on the Thiruvonam day of the Malayalam month of Chingam. To this day water fiesta is conducted along the route traced by the auspicious procession in the month of August or September.Besides the boat race, spectacular water pageants are organized with water floats, decorated boats, performing arts, children in fancy attire etc. The vanchipattu is a characteristic feature of these processions.

This one boat race is enough to set the river on fire what with thousands of enthusiastic people flocking the venue to enjoy this event. The main attraction, are the 100 feet long boats[Chundanvallam] that are decorated beautifully by local craftsmen. These boats are popularly known as “snake boats” and can accommodate more than 100 people at a time. Usually, musicians who sing and play instruments[Vanjipatu]], accompany the oarsmen to keep up the energy levels and at the same time make the atmosphere lively and electrifying. Payippad boat race is a major event in kerala that draws a huge crowd from all nearby places and Foreign tourists.