Nehru Trophy Boat Race Alleppey – Second Saturday of August | History | Download Images, Quotes, Pictures, Wishes, and Status

In every part of India, there is a race going on. "The Nehru Trophy Boat Race" is a unique race that has become a festival in itself. You can't say it's just a race. It is also related to the first Prime Minister of India who will be competing in this race. 

What is Nehru Trophy Boat Race?

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held every year on the second Saturday of the month of August at Alappuzha 'Punnamadakayal', is the most popular competition among boat-race competitions.

On the day of this competition filled with great enthusiasm and enthusiasm, the Pacific atmosphere of 'Punnamada-Lake' becomes 'Janamahasamudra' (ocean).

About two lakh tourists from all over the country and abroad come to see it. For the people of every village of Kuttanad, this competition is no less than fair. The hearts of those who win this competition are filled for months.

The biggest attraction of this boat-race competition is 'Chundan Vallam' i.e. 'Snake Boat'. The size of the chundanavallas with more than a hundred feet in length and protruding podagra (the pointed part of the boat) is very impressive.

The Chundanvallas of Kerala have no relation with the European names, yet on the basis of the native boat of Norway, the old rulers called them 'snake boats.

The History of Nehru Trophy Boat Race: 

'Alappuzha-tourism', as former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru called it, had a role in the history of the boat race that bears his name.

During this journey, he got a chance to go in a boat from Kottayam to Alappuzha in Kuttanad surrounded by water all around. Behind them were many great boats.

The first competition of Chundanwallas in 1952 was quite different which was organized to pay respect to Nehruji. In this 'Ndubhagam Chundan' got the first position. Nehru was very happy to see the performance of the boat rowers. Nehru ji praised him a lot. 

Further, the boat carrying the Prime Minister proceeded towards the boat jetty. After reaching Delhi in December 1952, Nehru gave a silver trophy as a gift.

The first was its name 'Prime Minister's Trophy. Since 1969 it is known as 'Nehru-Trophy' and since then 'Nehru Trophy Boat-Race' is being celebrated every year by the Alappuzha residents in memory of Nehru. It can be termed as 'Kuttanad's Olympics'.

How do you prepare for the race?

The preparations for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race start a month in advance. The arrangements are also special for this and this race itself is very special. Know about the preparations –

• Sardine (sardine) oil is applied to the entire boat so that it moves easily in the water.

• 150 mallahs (boatmen) are chosen to represent the different villages.

• These sailors take a vow of celibacy and non-vegetarianism till the race is over.

• These seafarers are trained by old and experienced seafarers.

• During the training session, there is a mass feast on the banks of the river every day. The rich families of the village come forward and feed the sailors.