• Jan 25 2016
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Nehru Trophy Boat Race

 

One of the most exciting events to be held in Lake in Alleppey is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, which is a yearly competitive boating event held on the second Saturday of every August, during the Onam festival. The most popular event is the Snake Boat Race, which is a thrilling event to watch as well as participate in. 100-120 feet long canoe-like boats make serpentine movements through the water, thereby popularising the name. Other categories of boats which participate in various events of the race are Churulan Vallam, Iruttukuthy Vallam, Odi Vallam, Veppu Vallam (Vaipu Vallam), Vadakkanody Vallam and Kochu Vallam. Supposedly when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru came to see the event, he got so involved in the competition that he jumped in one of the boats which later won the race. Since then, the event has been called Nehru Trophy Snake Boat race. The men rowing the boats and cheerleaders motivating them is a sight to witness. The winners get a trophy in the form of a silver snake boat on a wooden pedestal.