Tourism -Alappuzha Snake Boat Race

 

Tourism Alappuzha

What is Nehru Trophy Boat Race

This is the most competitive of Kerala's boat races and one of the state's most prominent tourist attractions. Huge numbers of local and international tourists congregate on the shores of Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha. Villages from across the region compete with one another. It is a tremendous honour for your community boat to win the trophy, which will be treasured throughout the year.

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race dates back to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's visit to Alappuzha in 1952, when he was India's first Prime Minister. To commemorate his visit, an impromptu race using snake boats was arranged, and he was apparently so taken with the boats that he jumped into one, disregarding all security measures. To express his gratitude to the public, he later presented a trophy of a silver snake boat. The boat race has become an annual event in Kerala's summer calendar since then.

Other notable snake boat races apart from the Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race: this race means the opening of the boat racing season in Kerala and is one of the most popular ones in the state. Like with the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, highlights include beautiful floats, decorated boats, a ceremonial procession and the royal snake boats themselves which get their epithet from their bow resembling the raised head of a snake. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport while Alappuzha’s railway station is about 26 km away from the river at Champakulam. The 2020 date was 4 July.

Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali(Boat Race):  the religious ritual of this stunning carnival of boats will keep you mesmerised when rowers dressed in traditional attire glide their snake boats over the calm waters of Aranmula’s Pamba River. Aranmula is about 10 km away from Chengannur railway station while the nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport serving Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram some 117 km away. The 2020 date was 4 September.

Payippad Jalotsavam(Boat Race): in this race, held annually on the Payippad River nearby Payippad, Alappuzha, everything revolves around team spirit. This is one of Kerala’s oldest boat races that attracts big crowds cheering on the rowers and which also includes water float parades, elaborately decorated boats and many folk art performances. The nearest railway station is Harippad, at a distance of about 5 km, while the nearest airport is Cochin International Airport. The 2020 date was 2 September.