Nehru Trophy Boat race in Alappuzha

**sherlyk** · 08-10-2012, 03:43 PM

Nehru Trophy Boat race is a popular Vallam Kali held in the punnamada Lake near Alappuzha, Kerala, India. Vallam Kali or Vallamkali literally means boat race. The most popular event of the race is the competition of Chundan Vallams (Snake Boats). Hence the race is also known as snake Boat Race Other types boats which participate in various events of the race are Churulan vallam, Odi vallam, (Vaipu Vallam), Vadakkanody Vallam and Kochu Vallam. The race conducted on the second Saturday of August every year is a major tourist attraction.

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of Independent India visited Kerala in 1952. He was given a roaring reception by the people of alleppey, escorted by the huge snake-boats. Having gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat Jawaharlal Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner of the race. The trophy is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the following words are inscribed.

To the winner of the boat-race witch is a unique feature of community life in Travancore- Cochin.

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