An Introduction to Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Alappuzha, Kerala, India - Snake Boats

Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the most colourful water sport in Kerala, is conducted at PUNNAMADA LAKE in Alappuzha district of the kerala state in India on the second saturday of every August. This prestigious race of the snake boats is celebrated with style by people of Alappuzha and is marked as a cultural event of Kerala. Snake Boat Race has been attracting people to Kerala India from all over the world. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a festival for the people of Alleppey the main attraction of which is the sportive sprits among the participants of the race.

Jawaharlal Nehru - First Prime Minister of India

The prize named as NEHRU TROPHY was donated by the late Prime Minister of INDIA Jawaharlal Nehru to the winners of the first Snake boat race which was an impromptu one conducted in punnamada lake in honour of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who visited Alappuzha district in Kerala State in 1952.

This Snake Boat Race is an aquatic festival of Alappuzha and fosters a sense of unity and fraternity and sports man spirit among the participants of the race it draws crowds not only from kerala but also from other states in India and attacting foreign tourists also.

Origin of Snake Boat Race of Kerala

In the year 1952, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin. On his way to Alappuzha district from Kottayam he was given a roaring reception by the people of Alappuzha, escorted by the huge snake-boats. Having gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake boat popularly known as Chundan he donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner of the Snake Boat Races to be held every year.

The trophy is a replica of a snake boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the following words of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru the first prime minister of India are inscribed above his signature.

"To the winner of the boat-race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore-Cochin".

This was later christened, 'Nehru Trophy'.

		Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India
		Alappuzha District Alappuzha - Kerala - India " Venice of the East "
		Types of Snake Boats The Snake Boats of Kerala are known after their shapes, sizes or purposes.
		Winners The winners of Nehru trophy boat race from 1952 - 2004
		Other Races in Kerala The outstanding and truly national aquatic festivals in kerala india.
		Kerala Photo Gallery Kerala at its very best.
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Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2005