The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is amongst the premier snake boat races in Kerala, the place the synchronized oars of pacing snake boats slice the movement of the backwaters in Alleppey within the largest boat race in India! The much-awaited Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2025 is to be held on ninth August on the Punnamada Lake in Alleppey, Kerala.
Annually on the second Saturday of August, distinctive snake boats compete for that valuable trophy on this particular occasion held on the Punnamada Lake in Alleppey, Kerala, to honor the go to of the primary minister of India to Alleppey in 1952 – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
The rhythmic coordinated rowing of a number of snake boats has made it a uncommon occasion, making the Nehru Trophy Boat Race the preferred snake boat race in Kerala and India. It’s held on the second Saturday of August to coincide with the well-known competition of Onam in Kerala.
In 2023, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race was held on August 12 on the famed Punnamada Lake in Alleppey, Kerala.
In 2024, this phenomenal occasion was rescheduled because of the landslides of Wayanad. The occasion lastly befell on September 28, 2024.
It will likely be the 71st Nehru Trophy Boat Race in 2025, commencing the eighth superb decade of this joyous and fiercely aggressive annual extravaganza in Kerala!
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a good occasion in India held yearly since 1952. The race entices vacationers from completely different components of India and the world to return and witness this uncommon but thrilling occasion.
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Nehru Trophy Boat Race historical past
The very first boat competitors over the Punnamada Lake in Alleppey occurred within the yr 1952 to commemorate the go to of the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
The in any other case quiet city of Alleppey, which is well-known for night cruises on the backwaters and is a distinguished addition to all Kerala houseboat packages, dons a totally completely different coloration through the occasions of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race in August every year!
Of us from close to and much swarm to Punnamada Lake’s banks to witness this joyous and thrilling water regatta!
Chundans (snake boats), a exceptional sort of boat made out of the wooden of the Anjili tree (wild jack), are over 100 ft lengthy and have a raised prow. These slender boats have sufficient room to suit 100 expert rowers, a helmsman, and singers!
The colonial rulers, who had seen comparable vessels in Norway, named Kerala’s chundans “snake boats” owing to their placing similarity.
In 1952, the primary Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited Alappuzha in Kerala and was escorted within the Nadubhagam Chundan snake boat by the locals as a part of his grand reception!
Impressed by the talents and effectivity of the oarsmen, Panditji later commissioned a snake boat-shaped silver trophy for these oarsmen, which was given to them with the inscription “To the winners of the boat race which is a singular function of group life in Travancore Cochin”.
It grew to become a everlasting heritage of the small city and was named the Nehru Trophy in his honor!
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To commemorate his go to and to spice up Kerala tourism, the locals of Alappuzha rejoice the Nehru Trophy Boat Race yearly!
Alleppey, which is the middle of all our Kerala houseboat packages and backwater day cruise packages has a very completely different hue and taste on the event of the annual Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race in August.
The place is the race held yearly?
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held on the Punnamada Lake within the backwaters of Alappuzha yearly. Hundreds of individuals from all over the world arrive on the premises to observe the spectacular race and to cheer for the competing groups!
The 2022 Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race was held in September as a part of the Champions Boat League as a substitute of August. Nonetheless, in 2023, the 69th version of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race was held on twelfth August, maintaining with the custom.
The viewers station themselves on the highest of the houseboats floating on the backwaters of Alappuzha. Earlier than the race commences, the Punnamada Lake is cleared of all water visitors, together with native fishermen and vacationers crusing on houseboats in these components.
These houseboats are parked proper exterior the tracks the place spectators together with locals, vacationers, bureaucrats, and VIPs can sit and watch the energetic race.
The origin of Snake Boat Races in Kerala
It’s mentioned that through the battle of the kingdoms of Chembakassery and Kayamkulam within the early 14th century in Kerala, King Devanarayana of Chembakassery commissioned a contractor to construct a battle vessel. This vessel got here to be often called snake boats or “Chundan Vallams” within the area.
Later, these boats have been used to move folks, native items, meals, and choices throughout the backwaters throughout sacred temple rituals and Alleppey’s annual water festivals.
The particular ability of crusing these conventional snake boats has thus existed for over 650 years! Out of all of the snake boats in existence in the present day, the Parthasarathi Chundan is the oldest.
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race has now turn into a major a part of the tradition and traditions of the Indian state of Kerala. It’s greater than a ship race. The entire competition is well known with percussion music, conventional songs referred to as “Vanchipattu”, folks dance performances, rituals, and extra.
A vibrant celebration of Kerala’s cultural heritage has been handed down from one technology to the following, selecting up increasingly enthusiasm and fame with every passing yr!
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Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2025 Data
The ticket costs for individuals and attendees of the upcoming Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2025 have been specified under for vacationers and locals.
Vacationer Gold: INR 3,000/-
Vacationer Silver: INR 2,500/-
Rose Nook: INR 1,000/-
Victory Line: INR 500/-
All View: INR 300/-
Lake View: INR 200/-
Garden: INR 100/-
NOTE: Every ticket admits 1 particular person.
Venue: Punnamada Backwaters in Alleppey, Kerala
Date of the occasion: August 9, 2025
Time of the occasion: 1:30 PM onwards
Location: Punnamada
District: Alappuzha
Version: 71st Version of Nehru Trophy Boat Race
The race in 2022 was held as a part of the newly constituted Champions Boat League or CBL. It couldn’t be held in 2020 and 2021 on account of the coronavirus pandemic.
attain Alleppey Boat Race in 2025
It’s fairly simple to get to the venue of the Nehru Boat Race in Alleppey.
By Air:
The closest airport is the Cochin Worldwide Airport in Kochi, situated 80 km away from the Punnamada Lake boat jetty (entrance level) the place the boat race begins yearly.
Rent a taxi from the airport or take a KSRTC-operated bus from the closest Kochi Bus Stand to get to Alappuzha Bus Station by way of NH 47. The jetty is inside strolling distance from the bus station in Alappuzha.
ALSO SEE – Getting from Kochi Airport to Alleppey in Taxi, Practice and Bus
By Rail:
The closest railway station is the Alappuzha Railway Station located solely 5 km away from the Punnamada Lake boat jetty. One can rent a taxi, take an autorickshaw, and even stroll to the entry level from there.
By Highway:
NH 47 connects main cities in Kerala and neighboring states to Alleppey, a well-known vacationer vacation spot in Kerala with a well-developed transport community.
You’ll be able to take a taxi, ebook a seat on a non-public Volvo, or board a state-run bus from numerous factors in close by cities like Kochi and Trivandrum in Kerala, Madurai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, and Bangalore in Karnataka to get to Alleppey comfortably and at nominal charges.
What occurs on the Nehru Trophy Boat Race: Information & Particulars
Over 100 members can take part on this enjoyable and frolic journey at a time. Out of those, 16 snake boats are typically known as the “kings of the water”.
These 100 or so rowers, 4 of which sit on the helm to information the boat ahead, sit on either side, and paddle in unity to the end level situated 1.35 km away from the place to begin.
The race distance extends for a size of about 1370 meters and is segregated into a number of tracks. The occasion begins with a snake boat procession with various kinds of boats from Kerala like Chundan, Churlan, Odi, and Parunthuvalan unfold throughout a size of about 1.4 km for spectators to marvel at!
These embrace large boats 100 ft lengthy able to accommodating 150 rowers, to small ones solely about 18 ft lengthy accommodating no more than 12 members. The boats are made from tree trunks of Kadampy and Anjili.
The competitors between the snake boats is the middle of attraction of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, not solely due to the trophy that’s awarded to the winner but additionally for the aggressive spirit and camaraderie between the competing golf equipment that are the satisfaction of every village.
The preparations for this mega race begin weeks earlier than the occasion. All boats are smeared with sardine oil to allow them to glide simply over the water.
The oarsmen are chosen primarily based on their advantage and the observe periods begin underneath the management of a senior oarsmen or chief. The village is represented by virtually 150 oarsmen within the occasion
The annual boat race begins with drums beating and the chanting of Vanchipattu, the official track of the occasion sung in excessive spirits to inspire the individuals.
The scenic Nehru Trophy ferry station is the ending level of the world-famous Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race in Alleppey! A surprising statue of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru is positioned within the backdrop of the ferry station amid a picturesque panorama of the Alappuzha backwaters.
The world is thronged by teeming thousands and thousands who come to witness this spectacular occasion. The occasion attracts visitors from all internationally. Ranked 4th amongst India’s greatest sports activities leagues, it has been attended and supported by notable personalities like Shri. M Nassar, Allu Arjun, and Sachin Tendulkar in recent times.
The frenzy of actions, the laughter, the music, and the folks dance performances held through the Alapuzha Snake Boat Race carry out an entire lot of coloration and festive cheer to the occasion and the city at giant, making it essentially the most awaited occasion of Alleppey yearly!
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Winners of Alleppey Snake Boat Race 2023
The winner of the primary Nehru Trophy Boat Race held in 1952 was the Nadubhagam Chundan rowed by the Nadubhagam Boat Membership and captained by Chacko Mappila Maathu Mappila.
Nadubhagam Chundan was the winner in 2019 as effectively, although this time it was rowed by the Pallathuruthy Boat Membership and captained by Narayanankutty N Udayan.
The winner of final yr’s race too was the Pallathuruthy Boat Membership, rowing the Karichal Chundan underneath the captaincy of Alan Moonnutaikkal and bagging the title for the fifth time in a row!
Different boats which have received a number of instances embrace the Karichal Chundan which is claimed to have received 15 instances in a row, and the Kumarakom City Boat Membership which has a hat-trick of successful the race 3 times in a row underneath the captainship of Raju Vadakkathu of Kumarakom.
You’ll be able to verify the Nehru Trophy Boat Race outcomes from 1952 to 2024 on Wikipedia. The race is a part of the CBL Champions Boat League with prize cash of INR 5.9 crore.
There was no boat race in 2020 and 2021 on account of the Covid pandemic.
watch Nehru Trophy Boat race dwell
You’ll be able to watch the boat race dwell on-line on Keralatv.in or DD Information Malayalam. They stream the entire occasion dwell and likewise broadcast a repeat telecast later for viewers who missed the dwell stream.
Sponsored by Nerolac Paints, the boat race can be broadcast on Star Sports activities Community for viewers throughout India.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race Video
The annual Snake Boat Race of Alleppey is essentially the most prestigious boat race held in India stuffed with large pleasure and gusto. Watch the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Video from 2015 to see what makes it so spectacular and satisfying.
Do’s & Don’ts of attending the Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2025
Buy tickets from approved shops (by way of Govt. departments), and tourism data workplace’s approved ticket counters.
Please verify the tickets for the approved seal of the committee and serial quantity. Approved counters might be recognized with banners, having the brand of NTBR.
Preserve these tips issued by NTBR authorities in thoughts whereas planning your journey to Kerala, buying the boat race tickets, and attending the occasion:
- A most of 5 tickets might be bought at a time.
- Ticket holders should attain the specifically organized boat jetty by 11 AM.
- The committee arranges separate boats for vacationers and ticket holders to achieve the race space.
- Seat availability is on a primary come first serve foundation.
- Occupy your seats by midday.
- The organizers shall not be held accountable in case an individual fails to get the seat.
- Automobiles might be parked within the Municipal Stadium North of Zillah Court docket Bridge.
- People should present their tickets on the entrance of the boat jetty in addition to the doorway of the pavilion.
- Bodily tickets have to be collected on the occasion from particular factors: Vacationer gold & silver – Matha Boat Jetty; Others – Punnamada Ending Level.
- Carry water and solely gentle snacks to the venue.
- Don’t carry liquor, explosive gadgets, and harmful digital gadgets to the pavilion
- Smoking just isn’t allowed within the pavilion
- For any assist, contact the management room at 2243441/100 (police)
- DO NOT LITTER!
The “Inexperienced” Boat Race Initiative of God’s Personal Nation
Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2023 and 2024 have been complimented tremendously for being a ‘Inexperienced Fest’, whereby a number of cleanliness personnel, home made manufacturers, faculties, and faculties joined palms to coach the spectators concerning the significance of ecological preservation!
On the occasion, single use plastics have been banned, boats have been adorned in a sustainable method, solar-powered lighting was used, native natural merchandise bought at stalls, and a large cleanup drive was initiated as soon as it ended.
Let’s try to maintain the occasion, in addition to the city of Alleppey, simply as clear and inexperienced this yr as effectively!
These snake boat occasions are additionally a way to insure group involvement. Every competitors has earned a large degree of recognition not simply as a state-level or country-level sporting occasion, but additionally as a interval that promotes brotherhood and companionship between the folks inside this space.
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Be part of the spectacular Nehru Trophy Boat Race stuffed with vitality and vigor amid the serene backwaters of Kerala. Get your ticket and plan your journey to Kerala with us effectively prematurely so that you don’t miss out on this mind-blowing extravaganza in Kerala! Hurry!
