Alappuzha, August 22, 2026: The 72nd Nehru Trophy Boat Race is taking place today at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, bringing Kerala's famous backwaters alive with the excitement of Vallam Kali. The prestigious annual event is drawing spectators and boat-race enthusiasts from across Kerala, other parts of India and abroad.

A total of 71 boats, including 22 traditional Chundan Vallams, are competing in this year's Nehru Trophy Boat Race. The races began at 11 AM, with the Chundan boats competing in six heats. The fastest four boats will advance to the final scheduled for the afternoon.

The defending champions, Village Boat Club's Veeyapuram Chundan, are back in the competition this year. Veeyapuram won the 2025 Nehru Trophy, while the official records show that the boat has become one of the recent leading names in Kerala's premier snake boat competition.

The 2026 event has generated considerable interest in Alappuzha, with elaborate arrangements made for crowd management, security and traffic control. A local holiday has also been declared in Alappuzha district for government institutions and educational institutions in connection with the race.

The Nehru Trophy is more than a sporting competition. It is one of Kerala's most important cultural events and a major attraction during the monsoon tourism season. The long Chundan Vallams, rhythmic rowing, traditional boat songs and enthusiastic crowds create a spectacular celebration on the backwaters.

The event also has significance for the wider Kumarakom and Kottayam tourism region. Kumarakom is located on the Vembanad Lake backwaters, which form part of the same interconnected water landscape that defines Kerala's backwater tourism. Kumarakom's strong association with houseboat cruises, village experiences and water-based tourism makes major Vallam Kali events particularly relevant to visitors staying in the region.

With Kerala's Onam season approaching, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is expected to further strengthen interest in the state's backwaters as a monsoon and festival-season tourism destination. The race continues to showcase the sporting traditions, community participation and cultural heritage that make Kerala's backwaters a distinctive tourism attraction.