Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the most colourful water sport in Kerala, is conducted at PUNNAMADA LAKE in Alappuzha on the second saturday of every August. This prestigious cultural event of Kerala has been attracting people from all over the world. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a festival for the people of Alleppey the main attraction of which is the sportive sprits among the participants of the race.

This trophy named as NEHRU TROPHY was donated by the late Prime Minister of INDIA Jawaharlal Nehru to the winners of the first boat race which was an impromptu one conducted in 1952 in honour of Panditji who visited Alappuzha

This aquatic festival fosters a sense of unity and fraternity and sports man spirit event and attaching foreign tourists also.
In the year 1952, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin. On his way to Alleppey from Kottayam he was given a roaring reception by the people of Alleppey, escorted by the huge snake-boats. Having gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat popularly known as Chundan, Jawaharlal Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner.

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.

Nehru Trophy Vallam Kali

Nehru Trophy Vallam Kali

Nehru Trophy Boat Race is one the famous Vallam Kali held in Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha district of Kerala state in south India. Vallam Kali (or Vallamkali) literally means boat play/game, but can be translated to boat race in Malayalam.

This race is conducted on the second saturday of every August.

Vallam Kali include races of many kinds of traditional boats of Kerala. The race of Chundan Vallam (snake boat) is the major item. Hence Vallam Kali is also know in English as Snake Boat Race and a major tourist attraction. Other types boats which do participate in various events in the race are Churulan Vallam, Iruttukuthy Vallam, Odi Vallam, Veppu Vallam (Vaipu Vallam), Vadakkanody Vallam, Kochu Vallam.

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of Independent India visited Kerala in 1952

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of Independent India visited Kerala in 1952

How this boat race got the name

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of Independent India visited Kerala in 1952. He was given a roaring reception by the people of Alleppey, escorted by the huge snake-boats. Having gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat Jawaharlal Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner of the race.

The trophy is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the following words are inscribed.

"To the winner of the boat-race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore-Cochin".

The 100 - 120 feet long boats made of a forest wood locally called "Aanjili thadi" and is being moving like a snake through the channels , carrrying 90- 110 sailors is an eye catching sight for any tourist landing on to alapuzha for experiancing the boat race. The "Chundan Vallam" also has the record as "the biggest water vessel used for sports purpose" .

Kaarichaal, Chambakulam, Paayipaadu, Kaavalam, Alapaatu, Aanari, Cheruthana, Aayaparambu, St.George,Jawahar thaayankari, Vallamkulangara,Sri.Ganesh,Paarthasarathy are the knights of backwaters (Chundan vallam) .

Boat races in Kerala

Boat races in Kerala

• Indira Gandhi Boat Race
• Champakulam Moolam Boat Race
• Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali
• Payippad Jalotsavam

Indira Gandhi Boat Race

Indira Gandhi Boat Race is a boat race festival celebrated in the last week of December in the backwaters of Kochi, a town in Kerala, south India. This boat race is one of the most popular vallam Kali (snake boat race) in Kerala. This festival is conducted to promote Kerala tourism. This race with its heart throbbing rhythm of drum music provides an unforgettable experience to the spectators.

The trophy of the race was instituted in memory of Indira Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India.

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race This boat race is the oldest and most popular vallam kali (snake boat race) in Kerala state of south India. The race is held on river Pampa on the moolam day (according to the Malayalam Era M.E) of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple.

The Legend

King of Chempakasseri, Devanarayana, built a temple at Ambalappuzha as instructed by the royal priest, but just before the installation of the deity he was informed that the idol was not auspicious.

The vigraha (idol) had be installed, the only solution to which was to bring idol of Sree Krishna from the Karikulam temple in Kurichi. This idol was believed to be given to Arjuna by Lord Krishna himself. After getting the idol from Karikulam temple and returning back to Ambalappuzha the kings minister and others stopped at Champakulam to spend the night and perform a pooja.

The next morning boats from the entire region assembled to escort the idol in a colourful, ceremonial procession through the lake to the Temple. Years later the pageant is still re-enacted with the same enthusiasm. An exotic procession of water floats, boats decorated with colourful parasols and performing arts greets the spectator before the race. The race is held in various stages for various categories of boats.

Aranmula Boat Race

The Aranmula Boat Race takes place at Aranmula, India near a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna. Thousands of people gather on the banks of the river Pampa to watch the snake boat races. Nearly 30 snake boats or "chundan vallams" participate in the festival. The oarsmen sing traditional boat songs and wear white dhotis and turbans. The golden lace at the head of the boat, the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the center make it a show of pageantry too.

Each snake boat belongs to a village along the banks of the river Pampa. Every year the boats are oiled mainly with fish oil, coconut shell, and carbon, mixed with eggs to keep the wood strong and the boat slippery in the water. The village carpenter carries out annual repairs and people take pride in their boat, which is named after and represents their village.

Payippad Jalotsavam

Payippad Jalotsavam is a three day water festival. Its conducted in Payippad Lake which is 35 km from Alappuzha district of Kerala state in south India. There is a close relation between this Payippad boat race and Subramanya Swamy Temple in Haripad.

The legend

The people of the Haripad village decided to build a Sree Ayyappan temple. Before the installation of the idol the people had a vision that they should install the idol of Sri Subramanya Swamy which they will find in the Kayamkulam river. The exact location of the idol will be under a whirlpool in the river. The people found the idol as per the vision and brought back Subramanya vigrah in a boat, escorted by the devotees in other boats ceremoniously. In remembrance of this event a three day water festival is conducted each year, the famous Payippad Jalotsavam.

Types of boats

Types of boats

• CHUNDAN VALLAM (SNAKE BOAT)
• CHURULAN VALLAM (RACE BOAT)
• VAIPU VALLAM
• IRUTTUKUTHY/ODI
• KETTU VALLAM - HOUSE BOAT

Chundan Vallam

Chundan Vallam (Chundan boat) known to outside world as Kerala snake boats is one of the icons of Kerala culture used in Vallamkali (boat race).

Architecture

Constructed according to specifications taken from the Sthap Athya Veda, an ancient treatise for the building of wooden boats. These boats are about 100 to 158 ft in length, with the rear portion towering to a height of about 20 ft. and a long tapering front portion. It resembles a snake with its hood raised. Its hull is built of planks precisely 83 feet in length and six inches wide.

Decorations

It is decorated with golden lace. And there will be a flag and two or there ornamental umbrella.

Care

Traditionally each boat belongs to a village and the villagers worship that boat like a deity. Only men are allowed to touch the boat and to show respect they should be barefooted. To make the boat slippery while in water it is oiled with a mixture of fish oil, coconut shell carbon and eggs. Repair works are done annually is done by the village carpenter.

Capacity and Usage

Traditionally it will be commanded by a Kaarnavan / Karanaadhan Village leader)with 'First Adanayampu' and under him there will be three main oarsmen, symbolize the four Vedas who control the movement of the boat with 12 feet long main rudder-oar (Adanayampu). Sitting two in row along the length of the Boat there will be 64 oarsmen, representing 64 art forms (or sometimes there will be 128 oarsmen). They row in rhythm of the vanchipattu (boatman's song). There will be around 25 singers in a row at the middle between the oresmen. And in the middle of the second half of the boat is a platform for eight people to stand from where the main singer will lead the song.They represent the Ashtadikpalakas(the Devas or Gods who guard the eight directions).A colourful and decorated umbrella also will be there.Sreerenganathan 06:04, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

CHUNDAN VALLAM (SNAKE BOAT)

CHUNDAN VALLAM (SNAKE BOAT)

The boats of Kerala are known after their shapes, sizes or purposes. The Chundaanvallam is so called because of its pointed prow. The term snake boat comes from its stern, which represents the raised, the hood of a snake and its length . The front end of this type of boat will be tapering in shape and the rear end will be very high from the water level. They have a length of about 60-65 meters and a capacity carrying hundred to hundred and ten people during the race time. The stern is majestically caparisoned and decorated with a flag and brass ornaments. Silken parasols are arrayed along the entire length of the boat. There will be almost 95 oarsman, 5 Amarakkar (Controllers) and 10 'Nilakkar' (persons supposed to enhance the vigour and enthusiasm of the articipating oarsman). It has got a resemblance to the shape of a snake, when it advances in a competition and hence became popular as snake boats. Snake boats are the traditional battle vessels of Kerala known as Chundan vallams . They were originally designed as a naval vessel used for battle.

CHURULAN VALLAM (RACE BOAT)

CHURULAN VALLAM (RACE BOAT)

The Race Boats "churulan vallams" are boats having a capacity for about 45 persons . They are designed as a passenger boat. But the end of these types of boats will be shaped as a Circular ring (Churul in Malayalam).

VAIPU VALLAM

VAIPU VALLAM

'Vaipu' vallams are boats having a passenger capacity of about 40-45 person . One end of the boat will higher than the level of the other end. These boats are originally designed as boats for preparing food while they accompany the battle vessels in olden days.

IRUTTUKUTHY/ODI

IRUTTUKUTHY/ODI

Iruttukuthy or Odi type of boats are designed for transportation during the night . The shape of the boat is suitable for speedy journey. The width of the boat is so designed to avoid friction with water while moving. In olden days these boats were supposed to be used for piracy works.

KETTU VALLAM - HOUSE BOAT

KETTU VALLAM - HOUSE BOAT

These massive boats once used for transportation of goods are now converted as house boats

VANCHIPATTU (SONG OF THE BOATMAN)

VANCHIPATTU (SONG OF THE BOATMAN)

These highly rhythmic songs were created to keep up the spirits of the boatsmen . The rhythm of these songs blend perfectly with the movement of the oars and to keep up devotional, mythological or relating to rustic life styles. Every snake boat has about twenty-five singers keeping time with traditional percussion instruments.

Aranmula, Uthrattadi Vallamkali Pathanamthitta district

Aranmula, Uthrattadi Vallamkali

Pathanamthitta district

The two day Aranmula Boat Race is more a water fiesta than a competition, conducted during Onam. The event is a re-enacting of the legend involving a devout Brahmin who made a votive offering of feeding one pilgrim a day. One day Sree Krishna himself appeared to him and the overjoyed Brahmin vowed to offer 51 measures of rice and all the provision for the thiruvona sadya (the sumptuous Onam feast) at the Aranmula Parthasarathy* Temple. Once, the thiruvonachilavu thoni (the boat carrying the offerings) was intercepted by rivals from another village, but the Brahmin's own villagers came to the rescue on snake boats. From then on the offering was carried by a fleet of palliyodam - about 48 of them representing the nearby backwater villages. (A palliyodam is a large, luxurious snake boat used by gods and royalty.)

Today, only 26 snake boats participate in the event which is marked by a colourful water carnival - an imposing effigy of Sree Krishna is taken out in procession on the lake with children dressed as nymphs and princesses. On the second day, snake boats decorated with silken parasols, carrying helmsmen, oarsmen and singers assemble near the temple early in the morning and then move away in pairs, creating a magnificent pageant. The boat race proper is held in the afternoon.

* Parthasarathy is Sree Krishna in his role as Prince Arjuna's charioteer, in the epic Mahabharatha.

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, Champakulam, Alappuzha

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race

Champakulam, Alappuzha

The oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala, this event is closely connected to the Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. The race is held on the Champakulam Lake on the moolam day of the Malayalam month midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Temple.

Legends say that Maharaja Devanarayana of Chempakasseri, as instructed by the royal priest, built a temple at Ambalappuzha. But just before the installation of the deity he was informed that the idol was not auspicious. The king was disturbed, but his minister suggested an inspired solution. To bring down the beautiful idol of Sree Krishna - presented to Arjuna by the Lord himself, from the Karikulam temple in Kurichi. The minister with a few others went to Kurichi, met the authorities there and returned with the idol. On the way back they stopped at Champakulam to spent the night and perform a pooja. The next morning boats from the entire region assembled to escort the idol in a colourful, ceremonial procession through the lake to the Temple.

Years later the pageant is still re-enacted with the same enthusiasm. An exotic procession of water floats, boats decorated with colourful parasols and performing arts greets the spectator before the race. The race proper is held in various stages for various categories of boats.

Payippad Jalotsavam , Alappuzha

Payippad Jalotsavam , Alappuzha

The three day annual fiesta on the Payippad Lake, 35 km from Alappuzha, commemorates the installation of the deity at the Subramanya Swamy Temple, Haripad. The story is that the people of the village decided to build a temple with Sree Ayyappa as the presiding deity. After the temple was ready, they had a vision directing them to a whirlpool in Kayamkulam Lake where they would find the idol of Sree Subramanya which was to be installed at the temple. Accordingly, the elders of the village with divers and swimmers rowed to the spot and found the idol which was escorted back ceremoniously by devotees from the entire region in colourfully

Boat races held during Onam (August/September):

Boat races held during Onam (August/September):

• ATDC Boat Race, Alappuzha
• Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race, Pulinkunnu
• Neerettupuram Boat Race
• Kumarakom Boat Race
• Karuvatta Boat Race
• Kavanattinkara Boat Race,
• Kumarakom Arpookara Vanitha Jalamela,
• Kottayam Mahatma Boat Race, Mannar
• Thazhathangadi Boat Race,Kottayam
• Kottapuram Boat Race,
• Kodungallur and Kumaranasan Smaraka Jalotsavam, Pallana.

The Indira Gandhi Boat Race is held on the Ernakulam Lake during the Cochin Carnival in the last week of December.