Nehru Trophy Boat Race Festival Information | Snake Boat Kerala

July 1, 2009

Snake boat race of Kerala
Kerala is the most exiting tourist place in South India, the Snake Boat Race Festival is the most popular boat racing game of Kerala. Most prestigious game the snake boat race festival also called Nehru Tropy Boat Race celebrated on second Saturday of August every year.

The snake boat race of kerala has been recognized as an international event. It is held on the occasion of onam which is one of the most famous festivals of south India. It is celebrated in August- September. The Champakulam Moolam snake boat race is related to Sri Krishna temple of Ambalappuzha.  Hundreds of people use their muscle power in this race.

The Jawaharlal Nehru trophy of boat race is a famous event which the people of Kerala eagerly wait. When the race start with all 100 or more people abroad the excitement reaches a height with cheers and cries echoing form the banks. The tourists not only enjoy a lot but even want to take part. Pandit Nehru once visited kerala and enjoyed the boat race, he was so impressed that he awarded a trophy to the winners. Since then the trophy was named after him. This is the best time to visit Kerala because the monsoon generally receded, so every where could get the greenery.

Being major tourist attraction this festival is celebrated near Alappuzha (Alleppey) in Lake Tranquil of Punnamada in Kerala. The Snake Boat Race festival is called Nehru Tropy Boat Race due to the Priminister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1952 visited Alappuzha, and awarded winners by  the Silver Trophy. It is the world’s largest snake boat race.

In the drums beats and rhythmic chants the snake boats with 100 to 120 oarsmen splash the oars in unison. 100-125 oarsmen, 25 singers, and 4 helmsmen are required to control this boat. To cheer the huge clack crafts thoudands people gather the waterways.

Name ‘The Snake Boat’ came from the snake shape of the boats used, the snakes have no relation with the festival or the game. Kuttanadu region people use the canoe style boat is a Snake shape. Construction of these expensive snake boats and grand festival preparations starts many weeks before the festival, second Saturday of August and attracts a large  number of people from the whole world.
Itinerary Details.nehru-trophy-boat-race
This boat race is accomplished by a number of boats, having massive size and attractive shape it magnetise the maximum tourist attention, includes Kochu Vallam, Vadakkanody Vallam, Veppu Vallam, Odi Vallam, Iruttukuthy Vallam, Churulan Vallam. Due to the huge size of these Snake Boats greater number than hundred oadsmen are required to propel and speed up in the water with the team sprits. The greatest teamwork and team sprit required to be winner.

The kings of Alleppey (Alappuzha) used boats to flight with each others along the over 400 years ago. Due to defeat of one king, who suffered big losses, decided to architect boat a better vessel and generated the snake boat.

Start counting down for Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race which is scheduled at Punnamada Lake, Alleppey, Kerala, India on on 08th August 2009. World’s most famous boat race game has attracted a number of tourists nationally and internationally, for this year a number of bookings done in advanced.

Kochi Airport is 54kms away from the Alleppey and Trivandrum Airport is at 154kms distance from Alleppey. Travelling to Alleppey by Train is too easy, it is connected to major cities like Kottayam, Cochin, Chengannur and Changanassery. By road Alleppey is connected is interconnected by a number of roadways of South India. One can also reach Alleppey from Cochin by backwater.

Kerala the most popular tourist destination in southwestern India is full of tourist places. One can enjoy the Backwaters, Beaches, Hill Stations, Monuments, Museums, Spice Plantations, Wildlife, Ayurveda and Religious Places in Kerala.