Click to play videoNew Delhi: In Alappuzha, Kerala one of India's biggest water-sport events is on. Onam is approaching and it's time for the annual snake boat regatta in Kerala. On Saturday the 55th Nehru Trophy Boat Race was flagged off by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan at the Punnamada Lake.
The event is attracting swarms of foreign tourists from across the world. This time, some women from UAE are also participating in the event. Thousands of spectators, including hundreds of foreign tourists, have lined up on the banks of the lake to witness the event.
The boat race event epitomizes the beauty of Kerala and its rich culture – the palm-fringed backwaters, the muscular oarsmen and their coordinated push towards glory in a competition that was started by the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru himself.
Over 55 boats are taking part in the race this year. The highlight will be the 18 Chundan Vallams or snake boats, each around 145 feet long.
Leading clubs like title-holders Payippad Chundan of the Kumarakom Boat Club and past winners Karichal, Jawahar Thayankari, and Nadubhagam will be fighting for top spot. There's also a separate section for women, in which the UAE boat club will be participating for the second consecutive time.
Heavy rains were on but that did not deter the people from venturing out to the banks and witness the massive event.
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