Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Nehru trophy boat race takes place in Alappuzha, every year on the second Saturday of August. There is an interesting incident behind how Nehru trophy boat race of Kerala got its name. It is said that when our Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin, the people of Alappuzha gave him a roaring reception. He had the chance of experiencing the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake boat popularly known as "Chundan". As a token of gratitude, he donated a rolling trophy to be presented to the winner of the Snake Boat Races in future years. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most colourful water sport in Kerala and is conducted at the Punnamada lake in Alappuzha. This prestigious cultural event has been attracting people from all over the world. This aquatic festival fosters a sense of unity and fraternity and sportsman spirit. The trophy is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the following words of Panditji are inscribed above his signature -  "To the winner of the boat-race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore-Cochin".

The 100-120 feet long canoes made of a wood locally called "Aanjili" carries 90 to 110 rowers and moves like a snake through the channels. The Chundan Vallam also has the record of being "the biggest water vessel used for sports purpose"