Nehru
Trophy Boat Race, the annual water carnival at Punnamada Lake in
Alappuzha is considered as the biggest snake boat race in the world. The
colourful boat pageantry, which precedes the boat race, is a marvelous
treat to the onlookers.
The
snake boats with 100 to 120 oarsmen plough the waters to the tune of the
legendary songs. Jawaharlal Nehru who was enthralled by the charm and
gaiety of the water carnival instituted the Nehru Trophy. This boat race
attracts a large number of tourists.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race is
the most famous of the boat races of Kerala. This annual regatta is held
on the Punnamada Backwaters of Alappuzha district on the second Saturday
of August.
The event is a commemoration of the visit to this
place by the late Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1952.
The spectacular races features magnificent snake boats or 'Chundans'.
The boisterous and rhythmic boat songs or Vanchipattu work the
spectators to a state of frenzy.
