Nehru Trophy
Alappuzha, Kerala

The Origin of Nehru Trohy Festival was in Alappuzha, Kerala. The annual Boat races festival held in Alappuzha, Kerala, India, is a thrilling event where giant Snake Boats compete for the prestigious Nehru Trophy. The Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, gave the trophy to the people of Alappuzha after his visit to Kerala in 1952. As Nehru arrived in Alappuzha, he was given a grand welcome, along the backwaters with hundreds of boats including swift-moving Snake Boats. As Nehru saw a demonstration of the rowers' prowess, he suggested an annual race be held and donated the Nehru Trophy to be given to the winning team. The Nehru Trophy has a silver replica of a Snake Boat set on a base. The annual Snake Boat races festival is an exciting event held in a celebratory atmosphere. Join in the exhilarating Snake Boat races festival on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

On boat race day, the 'Chundan Valloms' as the greatest snake boat racing are called -are slicked down with a special oil to make them glide effortlessly through water. The crews then visit a shrine carrying the stroke and largest steering oar with them. And having offered prayers to the Almighty, they are now ready to war with their fellow men. The air crackles with excitement as the best of the 130 feet Chundan Valloms, each manned by over a hundred rowers, fly through the waters at break neck speed, egged on by the fierce competitive spirit that marks the event and the spectators lusty roars

Nehru Trophy snake Boat Race is the biggest and the most famous event. The world renowned Nehru Trophy snake Boat Race is held at Punnamada lake in Alappuzha on the second saturday of August every year . This year the event falls on 12th August , 2006.

 The major attraction of the boat race is the competition of snake boats or chundanvallams for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race all the 18 snake boats of the state will participate. The race course, having a length of about 1370 mts , is divided into various tracks for the conduct of the competition. When they are advancing through various tracks, it appears like the fast moving snakes. The oarsmen splash the oars in unison with the rhythmic chants and beats of drum. The movements of competing boats are so thrilling that the spectators get in tune with the excited mood of the surrounding uproar.

“Coco Planet Tour Company” organizing a snake boat race package for budget travelers on August 12th 2006 at Punnamada Lake, Alleppey;

Snake boat race package itinerary:
Aug 11th : Cochin/Ernakulam - Alleppey
Check into the Upper duck Motor boat from Cochin/Ernakulam at 10 am.
Cruise through the  Cochin Lake, Vembanad lake, Kumarakom lake; reaches at Alleppey at 6pm.
The price will be Rs.500/ person

Aug 12th: Alleppey –SNAKE BOAT RACE.
Check into the Upper duck Motor , see the snake boat villages, snake boat clubs , at 2 pm snake boat races stars, see the race from the Upper duck Motor boat. 6 pm check out.
The price will be Rs.500/ person

Aug 13th:
Check into the Upper duck Motor boat from Alleppey at 10 am.
Cruise through the   Vembanad lake , Kumarakom lake, Cochin Lake; reaches at Alleppey at 6pm.
The price will be Rs.500/ person