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The Nehru Trophy Boat Race held on the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha (Alleppey) is a highly competitive event. The first race held in 1952 in honour of the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's visit was an impromptu one. About 10 snake boats were present on that occasion. The winner was Nadubhagam Chundan. Nehru was so fascinated and excited that he jumped into the winning boat ignoring all security arrangements. On his return to Delhi he instituted a trophy for the winners of the boat race. In 1953 the boat race was not held. But afterwards it became a regular feature. Every year around 40 boats participate in the regatta. Though boats like Vepu, Iruttukuthi, Ody, Swan and Churulan also participate in the fete, the magnificent Chundan Valloms which are 60-65 meters in length are the star attraction with highly decorated sterns where the coxswains stand, leaning on their large steering cars, the pace-setters thumping staves and hundreds of men handling a single paddle oar on each side churning the still waters in fascinating rhythm and dip showering spray of water
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