The most prominent and prestigious among Kerala’s boat races is the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race held in memory of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on Punnamada lake near Alleppey.
All kinds of colourful boats participate and up to 70 boats take part in this lively and exciting event. Monsoon is certainly the best time to visit Kerala for many reasons. The green environment and constant downpours make the state very attractive during this season. Besides, the season of boat races also begin during the onset of monsoon in the state. Out of the different boat races, the Nehru Trophy boat race is the most prestigious one. Named after the former Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, this water extravaganza held on the Punnamada backwaters in Alleppey / Alappuzha. Nearly 70 charmingly decorated colorful boats fiercely participate for the vibrant boat race contest.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2017
Kerala is famous for boat festivals which has so many followers throughout the world. Even if there are so many boat races in the state, Nehru Trophy boat race holds a special place. A lot of people gather to watch the rhythmic oars of the charming snake boats that slice the flow of the scintillating backwaters in Alappuzha. This special event celebrates on the second Saturday of August every year and this year it falls on August 12th from 2.30 pm onwards at the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. Plan a trip to this venue on this day to experience a rare event.
A Great Competition To Improve Communal Harmony
Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2017 is truly a special event for many reasons. About 70 boats are participating in the contest in different categories. All these boats maintain in a traditional style in order to give the best performance. Among them, nearly 16 snake boats are known as “Kings of Water” because it has approximately 100 rowers. Each of them has four men sit on both sides of the boat to guide other oarsmen. All the rowers pad in unity from the starting point to reach the finishing point which is about 1.35 kilometers away. A lot of people including foreigners reach the spot to watch the competition between the snake boats. The winner will be awarded with a trophy. However, main attraction shall be the competitive spirit between the participating clubs which is certainly commendable. This event is an outstanding way to enhance communal harmony.
Vibrant Event
Nehru Trophy Boat race is truly a spectacular event. Watching snake boats that maintain in a traditional way shall be a unique experience. These snake boats locally known as “Chundan Vallam”. Vanchipattu, the lively and rhythmic boat songs also special and make the event more alluring. This boat festival conducted for the first time in 1952 in order to honor the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru who visited Alappuzha. Thrilled and excited after watching the boat race, he donated a silver trophy which was a model of a snake boat placed on a timber abacus. Later, this trophy is known as Nehru Trophy. Boat race lovers and different boat clubs spend lakhs of rupees each year to contest in the race and win the trophy. Winning this trophy is a matter of prestige and pride for each team.
So, why not plan a trip to Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha on August 12, 2017 to enjoy a spectacular boat race? No doubt, the thrill and cheers of Nehru Trophy Boat race will stay in your memories for a long time.
Date: August 12, 2017
Time: 2.30 onwards
Venue: Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha
