Nehru Trophy Boat Race (Vallam Kali) 2025: Dates, Tickets & Travel Guide

If there’s one event in Kerala that fuses rhythm, sweat, and soul with tradition, it’s the Nehru Trophy Boat Race—known locally as Vallam Kali. This isn’t just a competition; it’s a living festival where paddles move like drumbeats on water.

This race is also part of the Champions Boat League (CBL), a professional circuit of Kerala boat races started in 2019. So when you see the action at Punnamada Lake, remember—it’s not just a local festival, it’s also Kerala’s very own water IPL!

Mark your calendars—on August 30, 2025, the 71st edition returns to Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha. Picture it: majestic snake boats slicing through backwaters, thousands cheering along the banks. Planning a Kerala trip? Well, here’s your sign—you really shouldn’t miss this spectacle.

Why It’s Called the Nehru Trophy Boat Race:

Alleppey’s backwaters are the venue as dozens of chundan vallams, the long, powerfully graceful, snake boats measuring more than 100 feet, race down the waters as oarsmen pull in perfect sync, the drums roll, and the crowds go wild in cheering. It’s not just a matter of winning; the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, or Vallam Kali, seems like the heartbeat of the whole region.

A single chundan vallam can carry 100 to 128 rowers, along with helmsmen, singers, and drummers. Other categories also compete—like Iruttukuthi, Odi, Churulan, Veppu, Thekkanodi, Vadakkanody, and Kochu Vallams. Together, they make the whole day a grand water carnival.

The event acquired its name in 1952, when Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, crossed the backwaters of Alappuzha. Some locals even held a boat race in his name. He was so thrilled by the spectacle that he donated a silver trophy shaped like a snake boat, with the words:

“To the winners of the boat race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore Cochin.”

That inscription still sits proudly on the trophy today.

The Tradition Behind the Nehru Trophy:

Because it’s not about winning or losing. Its identity, pride, and belonging. All the snake boats are from a village or a club. Whole villages come together to cheer on their teams, training for months, singing vanchipattu (traditional boat songs) and handing down techniques like family treasures.

The most successful boat in history is Karichal Chundan, with 16 wins. And the Pallathuruthy Boat Club has been ruling recently with a record 5-in-a-row victories, including in 2024.

For visitors, it is an uncommon opportunity to see tradition not as a museum showcase but living, breathing, sweating, singing, and pulsating in real time.

Read Also: Kerala’s Popular Boat Races – Paddling the Malayali Way

Nehru Trophy 2025: Dates, Venue, and Tickets

And a quick tip—don’t just show up. Tickets are mandatory, and it’s always jam-packed.

Important Update for 2025: Online booking closes on 26 August 2025. Even if you book online, you must collect a physical ticket on the morning of the event from the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) counter, near KSRTC Bus Stand, Alleppey. Counters open at 8 am, so reach early to avoid long queues.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2025 Tickets:

Here’s the breakdown (per person unless otherwise noted):

Children above 5 years are charged the same as adults.

Best Viewing Galleries for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race:

The experience of the boat race depends a lot on where you’re seated (or standing). There are multiple galleries, each offering its own flavor:

• Island Nehru Pavilion – The official VIP zone, located on a small island. Includes the Platinum Corner (Luxury Box) with food and boat transfers. Pricey but worth it for comfort.
• Rose Corner – Covered gallery with excellent views, right near the finish line.
• Victoria Line – Another covered pavilion, stretching close to the Ramada Hotel. Great spot for the nail-biting final stretch.
• Open Gallery – Budget-friendly, uncovered seating. Hot sun and all, but the vibe is raw and lively.
• All View (Ponjikkara) – Open standing area behind Nehru Pavilion. Crowded, chaotic, not the best for tourists.
• Houseboat View – My personal favorite for groups. Imagine cheering from the upper deck of a private houseboat anchored on the lake—food, drinks, and your own floating balcony to the action.

Pro Tip: Nearly 2 lakh people attend this event every year. If you want peace of mind, go for Pavilion or Houseboat view. Otherwise, Open Gallery is best if you want to feel the raw energy of the crowd.

Celebrations Beyond the Boats:

It’s not just about the boats. The energy is catchy—drums thumping, conch shells echoing, and people from all walks of life cheering like family. Locals break into dance, tourists wave little flags, and the rowers sing their boat songs together.

It’s sweaty, loud, a bit chaotic—and utterly magical. You feel swept up in something much bigger than yourself.

Top Attractions in Alappuzha:

Alappuzha isn’t called the “Venice of the East” for nothing. Around the boat race, you can explore:

• Kuttanad: The famous “rice bowl of Kerala,” with its below-sea-level paddy fields.
• Pathiramanal Island: A birdwatcher’s paradise in the backwaters.
• Mannarasala Temple: Dedicated to the serpent god Nagaraja.
• Champakulam Church: One of the oldest Christian churches in India.
• Karumadikuttan: A historic black granite statue of Buddha.
• Alappuzha Beach: A lively stretch with a historic pier and evening sunsets that paint the sky.
• Marari Beach: A quieter, laid-back escape known for golden sands and fishing village charm.

And if you still have energy left? Other boat races like the Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race or the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race offer more chances to experience Kerala’s water festivals.

Read Also: Lesser Known Places in Kerala to Visit for Your Next Trip

Can Tourists Participate in the Race?

What’s really eye-catching? Tourists technically have a shot at paddling in the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. Every snake boat is the pride of a local club, and every so often, they toss open the doors to a handful of outsiders—remember, for example, the European squad that jumped in back in 2011 and kept stroke with seasoned champs.

Fair warning, though: over a hundred oars slice through the water in a blur that lifts your spirits faster than you can blink, and the crew’s been locking hands and flexing their arms in brutal practice sessions. Unless you’ve spent months building crazy upper-body strength, the safer spot is the one you perch on at the water’s edge. Even so, just thinking that you might slide in front of that ornate boat prow sparks a fresh jolt of excitement.

Travel Tips for a Smooth Experience:

• Arrive Early: Be at your gallery by 10 am. The race may start later, but seats fill up fast.
• Carry Essentials: Water, snacks, sunscreen, maybe even a hat. Kerala’s monsoon is unpredictable—one moment it’s sunny, the next it’s a downpour.
• Transport: Parking near the venue is almost impossible. Use local auto-rickshaws, ferries, or arrive with time to spare.
• Seating: It’s first-come, first-served. Even in premium galleries, latecomers risk standing.
• Crowd Factor: Expect a massive, buzzing, cheering sea of people. If you prefer a calmer experience, splurge on the Pavilion or a houseboat.

If you cannot make it in person, the race will also be shown on DD Malayalam, and other Kerala-based channels.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2024 Highlights:

Watch the thrilling moments of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2024 in this exclusive video.

Final Thoughts: Why You Shouldn’t Miss It

If God’s Own Country is Kerala, then the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is its pulse. It’s a mashup of history, culture, sport, and spectacle all rolled into one.

You will see more than a race, but a living story — a testament to how a legacy will live and endure when we, as communities, come together unapologetically, collectively, and proudly.

If you’re anywhere near Kerala in the month of August this year, head to Alappuzha. Hang out at the backwaters, listen to the drums, the crowd’s roar, and then see those snake boats glide on Punnamada Lake. Because honestly? Some things are better felt than explained.

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