The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is amongst the premier snake boat races in Kerala. It is the time of the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2017, where the rhythmic oars of the pacing snake boats slice the flow of the backwaters in Alleppey.
Each year on the second Saturday of August, this is a special event where unique snake boats compete for that precious trophy at the Punnamada Lake in Alleppey, Kerala, India to honor the visit the first minister of India, of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952. The rhythmic synchronized rowing of so many snake boats allows it to be a rare event because of which Nehru Trophy Boat Race has emerged as the most popular snake boat race in Kerala. In 2017 Nehru Trophy Boat Race will be held on August 12, 2017, from 2:30 PM onwards at Punnamada Lake in Alleppey in Kerala.
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The very first boat competition about the Punnamada Lake occurred within the year 1952 to Alappuzha, within the recognition of visit recently Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India. Alleppey that will be well-known for evening cruise deal and Kerala Houseboat Packages in backwaters includes taste and a completely different color about the event of Nehru Trophy in August.
Folks from much and near swarm Punnamada Lake’s banks to savor this water regatta. Chundans (snake boats) are a remarkable to view, calculating more than 100 feet long, having a raised prow. the colonial rulers, who centered the title on the local vessel present in Norway,though Kerala’s Chundans keep little similarity for their namesakes named them snake ships.
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Alleppey which is well known for Kerala Houseboat Packages and day cruise package in backwaters has a totally different hue and flavor on the occasion of Nehru Trophy every year in August.
Origin of Snake Boat Races in Kerala
In Kerala, during an earlier 14th century there was a battle between your kingdoms of Chembakassery and Kayamkulam and King Devanarayana of Chembakassery commissioned a contractor to build of the battle vessel which was the origin of current day Chundan Vallams or snake boats.
Thus, the specialized local know-how of making these Snake Ships remain 650 yrs old. Out of all the snake boats being nowadays, the Parthasarathi Chundan is the oldest. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race has now become a significant part of the culture and tradition of the Indian State of Kerala.
History of Nehru Trophy Boat Race
The real history of the Nehru Trophy Boat Competition is linked to the visit the Prime Minister of India, recently Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to Alappuzha. He chanced a visit to Alappuzha Visit Official site of Alappuzha from Kottayam through waterlogged Kuttanad, by vessel and a pageantry of snake boats accompanies him during this boat trip.
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Panditji, who had been excited and thrilled within the efficiency of the oarsmen, leaped in to the Nadubhagam Chundan, forgetting all security arrangements.The vessel proceeded towards the boat jetty holding the Primary Minister.On his go back to Delhi in December 1952, Nehru contributed a Gold Prize, which is really a reproduction of the snake boat positioned on a wooden abacus. This trophy came into existence referred to as Nehru Trophy, each year as well as in loving memory of excellent Panditiji, the folks of Alappuzha enjoy the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
The trophy bears the following inscription above his signature.
“To the winners of the boat race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore-Cochin.”
Information about Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2017 in Kerala
Venue: Punnamada Backwaters in Alleppey, Kerala
Date & Time : August 12,2017 at 2:30 PM
Location: Punnamada
District: Alappuzha
Nearest Railway Station – Alleppey
Nearest Airport – Kochi International Airport
Nehru Trophy Boat Race Video
Nehru Trophy Boat Race Kerala
What is special about Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2017 in Alleppey?
In all about 56 boats are contesting in various categories, out of which 16 are snake boats generally called as “Kings of Water”, in which 100 rowers, with four at the helm to guide, sitting on both sides, padding in unity, to the finish point which is 1.35 KMs away from the starting point. The competition between the snake boats is the centre of attraction of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, not only because of the trophy will be awarded to the winner of the category, but also for the competitive spirit between the competing clubs which are the pride of each village.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race begins with drum beats along with chanting of boat songs that build the environment for the perfect event. The frenzy of activities held during the boat race imparts a different character to the event. The celebration of the event also includes music and folk dance performances.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held on Punnamda Lake in Alappuzha. The area is thronged by teeming millions who come to witness this spectacular event. The occasion attracts visitors from all across the world.
Dos and dont’s if you are planning to attend Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2017
Purchase tickets from authorized retail outlets (through Govt. departments), and tourism information office’s authorized ticket counters.
Please check the tickets for the authorized seal of the committee and serial number. Authorized counters can be identified with banners, having logo of NTBR.
- Try to reach Alappuzha by 10 A.M
- The committee arranges separate boats for the tourists and ticket holders to reach the race area.
- The ticket holders must reach the specially arranged boat jetty by 11 am, for catching the boat.
- Try to bring food items and water and can be taken to the venue.
- Occupy your seats by 12.00 noon.
- Vehicles can be parked in Municipal Stadium north of Zillah court Bridge.
- This facility will available only up to 11 am.
- Less luggage more comfort
- Show your tickets at the entrance of the boat jetty and also at the entrance of the pavilion.
- For any help please contact the control room 2243441/100 (police)
- Do not purchase complimentary passes by paying cash
- Do not bring any explosive items and dangerous electronic devices
- Smoking is not allowed in the pavilion
- Do not bring liquor to the pavilion
These snake boat events will also be a method to assure community involvement and several of the competition boats possess a shared possession of the locality’s people. Money is frequently raised by individuals locally through factors worth lakhs for engaging numerous ship events in a period of rupees.
Individuals in Kara or each area contemplate it like a subject of satisfaction to engage and get a ship competition underneath the tag and jersey. Each boat competition has been recognized whilst the locality’s event which is an event for loving the heat of brotherhood and friendliness between people within the area. If you are planning to watch the camaraderie, do ensure that you book an advanced ticket for Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2014 in Kerala.
Plan your trip to Kerala with us and be a part of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race and witness the huge boats cruising through the backwaters of Kerala.
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