In God’s own country Kerala, amidst the meandering maze of exotic, beautiful and ever enchanting backwaters happens the celebration of brotherhood, unity, and togetherness like no other, in the form of Nehru Trophy Boat Race, an event that happens just once every second Saturday of August where boats of different designs, sizes and shapes come together in the spirit of competition for a race that creates not just a winner but joy and happiness in the hearts of millions watching them race.
Kerala is a world renowned tourism destination, which has left each and every traveler to this small southern Indian state enchanted and wanting more. Known for its, greenery, French-Portuguese culture, its breathtakingTea Estates and the ever so popular Backwaters, Kerala has a lot more to offer. In the month of August it hosts amidst its backwaters a boat racing event, where boating communities from all parts of Kerala compete to show there prowess in boating and win the prestigious Nehru Trophy. The event sees a footfall in tens of thousands and is also a popular event attended by tourists who visit the state around this time.
Boats are competing with each other. (Source: Sivavkm)
The event got its prestigious trophy and name due to a specific event in the year 1952, in 1952 when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited as the first Prime Minister of India to Alleppey, Kerala he was welcomed with a roaring reception, later he took a ride upon the famous snake boats of Alleppey and having felt so good from the ride he donated a trophy for the annual boat racing competition, which today is known as Nehru Trophy Boat Race. The main racing in the event is the Snake boat race which sees many snake-like boats mounted by some 50-60 people race towards the finish line. There are other types of boats that participate in the event in various races these include Churulan Vallam, Iruttukuthy Vallam, Odi Vallam, Veppu Vallam (Vaipu Vallam),Vadakkanody Vallam and Kochu Vallam.
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