The scenic state of Kerala, which is well renowned as God’s Own Country located in the Southwestern region of India, keeps control of its uniqueness. Everything looks unique here from the nature, spirituality, food, tradition, culture, heritage, and everything. That’s why this state is an incredibly beautiful place that makes it every tourist’s dream destination. Kerala is home to a lot of impressive traditional festivals. Among them, Boat Races play an incredibly distinctive role in the culture, history and tradition of Kerala. These Boat Races have gained great popularity among tourists worldwide. Further, Kerala sets the landscape for various snake boat races. But among all the snake boat races, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most distinguished festival-like race in Kerala.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race is celebrated every year with abundant splendidness to memorialise and honour the visit of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the First Prime Minister of India in the year 1952 in Kerala.
History says that during Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s visit, people from Alleppey came in vast snake boats which are known as ‘Chudan Vallam’ to welcome him. The view of these snake boats thrilled the prime minister so much that he jumped onto one of the boats and sailed to Kottayam from Alleppey. Later, after returning to Delhi, Nehru contributed a silver trophy which was a model of a snake boat as a gift for the memories of the time he spent in Kerala.
As a respect for him, the trophy was named as Nehru Trophy and a boat race is organised every year to give an acknowledgement to this event known as Nehru Trophy Boat Race in which the winners are bestowed the trophy named after him.
On the day of the ferociously fought boat race, the peaceful lake transforms into a sea of humanity with an expected 2 lakh people, together with international tourists watching it.
Since time age-old, the second Saturday of August is particularly set aside for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race every year. The luminous Punnamada Lake in Alleppey gets into the festive mood. This Nehru Trophy Boat Race is so famous that people from all corners of the world to the world to the banks of the Punnamada Lake to watch this stunning water sport.
100- 200-foot-long canoes attractively ornamented with blossom flowers which carry 90-100 rowers moving like a snake through the glittering backwaters make for a maevelous scene. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and eagerness as there is rigid competition to win the race. The beats of the drum, the chanting of the boat song known as ‘Vanchippattu’ and the cheering people add more thrill to this water sport. It is a matter of pride for the rowers and the villagers, winning the race as it is the entire village that is privileged by the win. For this reason, they fight fiercely and put their best efforts in the race.
Venue and Timing:
The venue of the race is a 1.4-kilometre-long course on Punnamada Lake in Alleppey, Kerala. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted on the second Saturday of August every year.
Tickets for Nehru Trophy Boat Race:
Tickets for Nehru Trophy Boat Race ranges from Rs.100 to Rs.2500 varying on the pavilion location. High-category tickets (Gold – Rs.2500 and Sliver- Rs.1500) pavilions are located on the island at the ending point and are the best managed. Apart from Cost, these are best in case if you are travelling with your family and elders. You can sit comfortably and watch the intense finishing point competition without much disturbance.
Food, drinks and other requirements:
It’s very important that don’t ever forget to carry water and food as the wait for the race gets longer. Even though there are few stalls it gets difficult to get food through the crowd. As well as must carry umbrellas and caps for sure as it gets very sunny and also rains sometimes. There are no toilet facilities available.
Houseboat Packages:
Most of the operators have full-day houseboat packages to watch the race. These packages start from Rs.2000 per person which includes lunch also. These houseboats are located next to the island one after the other and manage to get away from the ending line. If you are with family, kids and elderly people, then these houseboats are very helpful and comfortable for you but some boring too. The reality is that if you want to experience the fierce action at the finishing line, then you must watch the race with the local supporters and have the energy to sit and stand in a crowded pavilion, real fun and intense is in the pavilion if you can bear the rush and weather.
Accommodations:
Alleppey has abundant accommodation options from heritage homes to houseboat stays. But book your stay in advance as the place is filled with tourists for the event. There are various hotels and homestays around Punnamada.
So you must add this place to your dream destination bucket list and pack your bags to witness and experience the most exciting water fair you would ever enjoy where the tradition fuses with modern-day excitement. In addition, never miss the exploring of Alleppey and the nature of God’s own country.
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