Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race is usually conducted on the 2nd Saturday of August every year at Allapuzha on the Punnamada Kayal or Punnamada backwaters, part of Vembanad backwaters. In 2018, it is to be held on 10th November, as it could not be conducted due to heavy rain and floods in August.
Allapuzha was previously known as Alleppey. ‘Kayal’ means ‘backwater’, in the local language, Malayalam.
There are different kinds of boats taking part in this Alappuzha Nehru-Trophy Race. Snake Boat, Iruttukuthy, Churulan, Veppu, Odi, Kochuvallam, etc., are the types of race boats participating. Snake boat racing is the most attractive race among these races.
The first Prime Minister of India, the Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, visited Alappuzha and watched the Nehru Trophy Boat Race in the 1950s. He was so excited about seeing the race that he jumped into one of the boats. He also donated a rolling silver trophy in the shape of a snakeboat
Around 100 people are needed to row the Snake boats at Alappuzha. It is the prestige of the local boat clubs, which is tested in the backwaters here. Kumarakom Town Boat Club has won the Nehru Trophy three times in a row, making them the only hat-trick winners.
Site of Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
Alleppey houseboats are available for hire, and you can go for a Cruise in the Alappuzha backwaters, visit the islands to have tasty local foods, and go to the Bird Sanctuary at Kumarakom, etc.
Alappuzha is well connected by road. It is around a 3-hour drive by car from the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. Allapuzha railway station is the nearest railway station. The code for ALLEPPEY or Allapuzha (new name) is ALLP on the official Railway Ticket Booking site of Indian Railways. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport.
Is Accommodation Available Near the Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race Site?
There are many hotels in Alappuzha. ‘Lake Palace Resort’ is a leading resort near the finishing point of the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race on Vembanad Lakeside. Homestay at Alappuzha and neighboring places like Kumarakom and Kottayam are also available.