Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Nehru Trophy Boat Race

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held every year on the second Saturday of the month of August. The race derives its name from the first Prime Minister of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru who visited Kerala in the year 1952. The people of Kerala welcomed him with all grandeur and he was escorted amidst snake boats. The tremendously exciting feeling that the Prime Minister experienced while he was sailing on the snake boat inspired him to institute a trophy for the winning team.

Since then the boat race has become a major attraction of Alappuzha. Around 16 snake boats along with numerous other smaller boats participate in the race to win the coveted silver trophy on which is inscribed, "To the winner of the boat-race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore-Cochin". Races for various categories are held including a separate one for women. The extravaganza of race is witnessed by thousands of Keralites and tourists from other parts of India and abroad.