Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Nehru Trophy Boat race is a popular Vallam Kali held in the punnamada lake near Alappuzha, Kerala, India. Vallam Kali or Vallamkali literally means boat race. It held on the second Saturday of August every year. It is the most competitive and popular of the boat races. On the day of this fiercely fought boat race, the tranquil lake front is transformed into a sea of humanity with an estimated two lakh people, including tourists from abroad, coming to watch the event. For the people of each village in Kuttanad, a victory at this race for their village boat is something to be celebrated for months to come.

The most popular event of the race is the competition of Chundan Vallams (Snake Boats). Hence the race is also known as snake Boat Race Other types boats which participate in various events of the race are Churulan vallam, Odi vallam, (Vaipu Vallam), Vadakkanody Vallam and Kochu Vallam.

The major attraction of the boat race is the competition of snake boats chundanvallams or snake boats.Chundans (snake boats) are an impressive sight, measuring over 100 feet in length, with a raised prow. They were called snake boats by the former colonial rulers, who based the name on a native boat found in Norway,although Kerala's Chundans bear little resemblance to their European namesakes.

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 witch is a unique feature of community life in Travancore- Cochin.

 A fish with a paddle has been selected as the official logo of the 60th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race to be held here for three days from August 9.

Kaav & Backwater Blues on Valentines day

The city is ready to move the body with the tune of Kaav band and Backwater Blues in association with the launch of Times of India.

Venue : Alleppey Beach
Date : 14 Feb 2012
Time: 7.00 IST
Performance by: Kaav and Backwater blues

Free entires available at:
Alleppey Prince Hotel
A.S Road, NH 47,
Radio centre cellular service,
CCNB Road , Mullakkal
Alappuzha

International Coir Fest- 2012

The second edition of the highly successful international coir festival held at the EMS Stadium, Alappuzha from February 4 to 9.

As the event had been named, would be an exhibition cum sale event divided widely on four themes, which would be knowledge dissemination and interaction, development, marketing and coir. There would be separate international and national pavilions.

Over 60 international delegates had assured of their presence while 110 delegates from other Indian states had registered themselves.

Visitors to the Coir Kerala 2012, had taken back handicrafts, souvenirs to even coir poles and pellets for their gardens.

16 delegates from foreign countries have arrived at the ‘Venice of the East,’ on Friday itself for attending the coir fest. The domestic delegates have also increased from 46 to 142 this year.

The fest was inaugurated by Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy on Saturday. Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi inaugurated the valedictory of the fest on February 9.

The main attraction of this year’s fest is a coir village showcasing the age-old traditions of coir producers in the State. It throw light into how coir as a cottage industry functioned and flourished in the past as well as highlight the lives of the coir workers.

The visitors had opportunities to watch live demonstrations of the various technologies used in the coir sector. A theme pavilion featuring a variety of coir products used for home décor and other domestic purposes will be another highlight of the fest. The organizers have also put up a series of paintings and sketches around the pavilions showing the evolution of the coir industry from the setting up of first coir factory in Alappuzha in 1859 by the Irish-born American, James Darragh.

It introduced a seminar on how coir products could be used for interior decoration. Export-quality items such as coir mats made from different fibres, mattings, rugs, carpets, tiles and mattresses will be displayed in as many as 220 stalls put up by exhibitors from across the country.

Display of geo-textiles, coir pith and baskets and a variety of machinery employed for coir processing were displayed.

A series of seminars and cultural programmes in the evening were also scheduled on the fest days.

Alappuzha Greenery

Punnamada Lake View

Image courtesy: Ashwin

The Oberoi Luxury Houseboat 'Vrinda' on Punamada lake

Image courtesy: Arun

Light Decoration At Mullakkal Ckirappu

 

Chirappu days are the most colorful time in Alappuzha. It is in the middle of December. At that time the roadsides are full of stalls and sellers. You will find yourself float in the crowd. Be there next time and enjoy.

Image courtesy: Vivek Alleppey

 

Alappuzha/Alleppey Backwaters

The backwaters at Alappuzha is the signature theme of the God’s own country. The backwaters can be enjoyed by the house boat which can be hired from the local agencies at the town.

Inside house boat

The house boat, as the name implies is just like a closed tent form which can give you a homely feeling and that too in backwaters. The most interesting part of house boat is that it does not depend on a particular season. House boats are available throughout a year. Let’s share what all things are there inside a houseboat and what all things can be experienced in a house boat.

A house boat normally consists of several bedrooms with attached bathrooms and the most available is a 2 or 3 bedroom house boat. If you have more money to spare, then you can hire a house boat with air-conditioned rooms. Apart from bedrooms, there is a hall like room where the captain of the house boat directs the boat with the steering. You can have a chat around the cushioned table in the hall and can have a look at the waters which is visible from the hall. There is also an upper structured room which can be reached by a pile of steps from the hall room. The good part of the upper level is that you can have a drink or chat around the table in the upper level with a sweet blizzard along with the beautiful scenery of nature through the backwaters, which will make you more fresh and happy. There‘s a kitchen at the backside of the boat where the cook arranges you delicious and mouthwatering sea food and other dishes with a spicy touch, which is Alappuzha’s own taste.

The house boat starts off from the land at the time suitable time of you. Usually, it starts before breakfast, which is about of some one hour voyage from the start. After the breakfast, the boat runs for more distance where you can explore mind blowing view points of the quintessence taste of nature. The house boat halts at night for about 8 ‘o clock as the government of the state declared to do so. The boat starts only at next day morning after breakfast. The bedroom has a big curtained glass pane, where you can have a view at the backwaters which makes your eye fresh.

Food

Mostly, food prepared in house boats are of extreme touch of taste and the food is prepared in your own taste. Whether you like spicy, salty, saucy or anything, all of it can be provided from the experienced hands of the cook at the house boat. All you should do is to give the list of foods you need at morning, noon and night and at other suitable times because they can buy all the items needed, at the town. If you like fishing, then you can have a good fishing from inside the house boat, by the help of the fishing tool which is available from the captain. The fish you caught can be brought to the kitchen and can be cooked by you, if interested. The most usual food is the combination of rice with fried fish (karimeen) and its curry. If you like chicken dishes, then you should ask the captain before the boat starts from land. In the morning, the usual dishes would be idli and sambhar with tea. At evening also, you will get tea with snacks. At night you can have anything in your taste like rice, chapatti, or any other Chinese dishes.

Price Range

Usually, the normal luxury house boat costs you as per the number of people in your team. For 5 people with 2 bedroom house boat, the cost of hiring the house boat is around 10,000 INR (about 200 US Dollars). The price is inclusive of the boat rent, food, and bedroom arrangements. If you wish to hire an air conditioned one, then it will cost you another 2500 INR (50 USD). Prices may vary when the number of people changes or the number of bedroom changes. If you have further queries, then please mail to iamanands@gmail.com or call onto

Contact no. : +91-7293646490

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Pier at Alleppey Beach

Alappuzha beach, which is considered as one of the hottest tourist destinations in the God's Own Country, Kerala is an add up to the golden cap of Kerala tourism department. This scenic creation of nature is reachable from all forms of transportation. It is very near to the Alappuzha railway station for less than 500 meters. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old.This pier at the alleppey beach once helped transport tons of cargo. The construction of the same is going on in full swing for tourist attraction and revamping the legacy of the ancient trade and transportation. The place is worth in meeting all the expectations of the tourists mainly from outside the country.

The sea is totally calm on some days like the one in the photo.


Image courtesy: Rahul and Ashwin

Mullakkal Temple

Mullakkal temple is located at the heart of Alleppey town. The presiding deity is Goddess Rajarajeswari. The temple celebrates two festivals every year. The nine-day ‘Navarathri’ festival is specially important. the last two days are most auspicious. Colourful processions participated by nine elephants are held in the evening. It is witnessed by thousands of devotees. Also several cultural programmes including Ottanthullal are staged in the temple. Another festival celebrated by the temple is a one day ‘Thaipooyakavadi’ about fifteen kavadis take part in this spectacular procession which is presented during the evening.

Temple courtyard is open to Non-Hindus too. It is very interesting to visit the temple at morning. Please make sure that there is somebody with you to advice you to follow the customs in the temple.