Alappuzha: The Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha is buzzing with excitement as the heats of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race have started on Saturday.
The race has drawn large crowds who gathered to cheer for the competing teams. Reportedly, 74 boats are participating in this historic race held here.
Each year, spectators come in large numbers to witness nearly 100-foot-long boats battling it out on the waters, moving in sync with the traditional boat songs. This year, 19 snake boats, known as Chundan Valloms, are set to compete. The finals for the snake boat race will take place later in the evening.
The race, originally planned for 10 August, was postponed after the Wayanad landslides. To manage the increased flow of spectators, KSRTC has arranged for additional buses to operate to and from Alappuzha.
The story behind this prestigious water regatta dates back to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's visit to Alappuzha in 1952. Captivated by the sight of the majestic snake boats, Nehru reportedly jumped onto one of them, disregarding his security.
Later that year, he presented a silver trophy shaped like a snake boat as a memento of his experience. This trophy eventually gave the race its name, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
Published: 28 Sept 2024, 02:19 pm IST
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