Nehru Trophy Boat Race Begins in Alappuzha: 71 Boats Compete for Coveted Crown
Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, Kerala, came alive on Saturday (August 22, 2026) as the 72nd edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race got underway. The event, a major cultural and sporting spectacle in the state, features 71 boats across various categories, including the iconic Chundan vallams (snake boats).
The heats for smaller boat categories, including Iruttukuthi C, Iruttukuthi B, and Veppu A, started at around 11 a.m. and have concluded. The heats for the Chundan vallams are currently in progress. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is scheduled to formally inaugurate the event at 2 p.m.
This year, the competition has drawn 22 Chundan vallams, one more than last year. The Chundan category is divided into six heats, with the four fastest boats securing berths in the Nehru Trophy final. Winners in the smaller boat categories will be determined based on their finishing times. The Thekkanodi Kettu category, featuring women rowers, has also seen increased participation, with four boats competing this year as compared to just one last year.
In a notable change, the organization of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race has been entrusted to an event management group for the first time. The organizers have promised a more professional and colorful presentation of the iconic water festival, including the introduction of a specific color theme.
The atmosphere along the lake banks is charged with excitement as spectators eagerly await the results. Veeyapuram Chundan, rowed by the Village Boat Club of Kainakary, emerged victorious last year and will be looking to defend its title. The competition is expected to be intense, especially with the prize money for winners being increased to ₹25 lakh from ₹5 lakh last year.
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is not just a sporting event but a vibrant celebration of Kerala's traditional boat culture. It draws thousands of spectators from across the country and abroad, turning Punnamada Lake into a hub of color, rhythm, and competitive spirit.
