The most popular of the boat races, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held on the Punnamada lake in Kuttanad on the second Saturday of August every year. The Payippad Boat Race is held during the month of August/September, two days after Onam.

Major Boat Races of Kerala

Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Started in 1952, the most famous of
the boat races is held in a backwater off the canal town of Alleppey on the second Saturday of August. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race takes its name from India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who inaugurated it in 1952. It is excitement all-round as snake boats, each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind. The event is a tremendous show for the tourist and the local population alike.

Getting there
154 kilometers from Trivandrum, 64 kilometers from Cochin.

Payipad Boat Race
The boat race is held in memory of the Prathishta (installation) ceremony of Haripad Subramanya Temple and therefore has a religious significance. Payipad Boat Race is celebrated for three days, commencing from the Onam festival day. Snake boat Processions are taken out on the first two days. The competitive boat-race takes place on the third day.

Getting there
94 kilometers from Cochin (Via, Cochin - Alleppey - Haripad). Change bus for Payipad at Haripad, from where it is just 3 kilometers.

129 kilometers from Trivandrum (Trivandrum-Quilon-Haripad). Change bus for Payipad at Haripad.

Aranmula Boat Race
There is an ancient Krishna Temple in Aranmula. The anniversary of the installation of Parthasarathi (Lord Krishna) at this temple falls on the last day of Onam Celebrations, and the boat race is conducted on this auspicious day called 'uttrittathy'.

Usually held four days after the Onam Festival day. Sometimes, it falls three or five days after Onam (August/ September) depending on the day of Uthirittathy as per the local Calendar.

Getting there
122 kilometers from Cochin (Cochin-Kottyam-Chenganur). Change bus for Aranmula at Chenganur from where it is just 10 kilometers.

130 kilometers  from Trivandrum (Trivandrum-Adur-Chengannur). Change bus for Aranmula at Chenganur from where it is just 10 kilometers.

You can travel by rail up to Chengannur either from Cochin or Trivandrum and then take a bus to Aranmula.

Indira Gandhi Boat Race
This  prestigious   boat   race  was  instituted in fond memory of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. About sixteen Snake-boats vie with each other to win the coveted trophy. This boat race is conducted at Maine drive backwaters (Cochin) during the last week of December.

Getting there
Cochin is connected by air, road and rail with major cities in India.

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