Indira Gandhi Boat Race is a major aquatic festival celebrated on the rolling backwaters of
Kochi,
Kerala. Every year, it is held in the last week of December, in the
Vembanad Lake. The race is conducted to promote tourism and it coincides with the tourist fair, which takes place on the first week of January.
The sixteen majestic snake boats representing different villages take part in the race. The neck-and-neck racing of the boats is a spectacular and a rare sight for the tourist.
The winners are awarded Indira Gandhi Memorial Trophy, which was instituted in memory of Indira Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India.
