UNIQUE FEATURES OF NEHRU TROPHY BOAT RACE

The unique features of the boat race are :

   World's largest sporting event - more than 100 rowers in a boat.

The geography ( topography ) of Kuttanad

The untiring labour put in by the people of the area.

Once in a year entertainment cherished by the people for the rest of the year.

Culture related matters that evolved as the people are scattered in backwater islands.

The proud traditions of which the people enjoyed the possession of boats at huge costs.

The people who row this boat side by side forget the religions and other difference for the victory of these teams.

The Friendliness enjoyed by the people for the course the success of these boat.

The Chundan ( Snake Boat )

They Pertains to two grades A & B grades. B grade B grade boats are at present used only for exhibition purposes.

Two local chieftains ( Chembakassery and Kayamkulam ) who were persistently engaged in wars. The Chembakassery chieftains got defeated most of the times and at last they determined to design a conveyance which is most fit for a war over water and publicly invited people to shape such a conveyance which is fast , able to carry more people , enough space to stock weapons . Sri Venkita Narayanan Achary built the conveyance which was more than what was expected. The royal chundan boat which could be turned very fast , never capsized , the standard size of former snake boats was 42 ¼ “ and 55 “ It was about four hundred and fifty years back that the first boat race was held at Champakulam and even now this is the first boat race held in the season which starts from July to September .

Special Features of the Festival

The vicinity of Kuttanad ( The backwater area )

Grand tracks with uniform depth

Fine visibility at starting and finishing points

The sufficient width of the tracks which are not available on other races

    The elaborate preparations done before the race.