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The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is amongst the premier snake boat races in Kerala. It is held on the second Saturday of August every year and draws in a massive crowd. People gather in large numbers to watch nearly 100 ft long boats compete against each other to the tune of old boat songs. Punnamada Lake is the location for the race where the contestants line up to battle it out.
The story behind this water regatta getting its name goes back to the visit of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952. He was so enchanted by the sight of the majestic snake boats that he leapt onto one of the snake boats himself, ignoring his security cover. Later on in the year, he would donate a silver trophy in the form of a snake boat as a gift for the memories of the time he spent there. Hence the race would later go on to be named the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
During this season the area comes to life with ceremonial water processions and beautiful water floats. From the huge chundan valloms (snake boats) to small country rafts, the waters are under the control of the expert oarsmen who put on a show that one can never forget. It is an art form in itself.
History behind the Snake Boat Races:
Having 400 years back history, there is a famous legend about Snake Boat Races, according to that, the kings of Alleppey (Alappuzha) and the neighboring areas are used to fight with each other in boats on waterways. Once upon a time, the king suffered huge losses and called boat architect to build him in a better way and the “Snake Boat” was born which offered success in every war. It is also believed that an opposed king sent a spy to learn the secret of how to make these boats but was unsuccessful as the perception of the design was very difficult to pick up.
And then years later “Snake Boat Races” were started by the natives as a cultural celebration but the rowers / boatmen’s are treated with respect and no doubt it’s a special festivity for them.
Kerala, the “God’s Own Country” is a land of colours! Be it the nature’s ‘green’ shade romancing the ’emerald’ backwaters, the ‘golden’ rays of the sun caressing the clear ‘white’ sands, or the ‘azure’ sky calling for the mystical ‘hues’, Kerala showcases all the colours of Mother Nature! Well, if you want to explore all these shades and colours of the nature, you must your Kerala trip during any of the fairs and festivals in Kerala! It is during the fairs and festivals; the entire of the state unites together, removes all the religious and communal barriers, to celebrate every moment with full vigour and enthusiasm. No matter what background they are from, the way these locals celebrate the fairs and festivals in Kerala, it simply creates an everlasting memory in the minds of everyone!
