The boat race in Kerala is a beautiful tradition of the state. It is organized in the months of August and September. Over hundred thousand men and women gather on the banks of the rivers to witness a spectacular water regatta, the Snake Boot Races.

Among all them, the most renowned one is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. It was started in 1952 on the occasion of the visit of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru to Alappuzha. Now, it is a major event held on the second Saturday of every August. It features the gigantic snake boats of Kerala, the Chundans, which were once the battleships of the Malayalee King of Yore.

At present, the boat race has grown as the most important tourist event. The boats are sponsored by different villages of Kerala for this boat race. Champakulam Moolam Vallam Kali is another boat race of Kerala, which is connected with a temple festival. Some snake boat races are also organized here in Kerala.

The chief competitors of the trophies are Champakulam, Kavalam, Karichal, Jawahar Thayangari, Kallooparamban, Pulinkunnu, Nadubhagam, Cheruthana, Kandangari and Paippad.