Kerala all set for the 63rd edition of Nehru Boat Race

Alappuzha, Aug 7: Kerala is all set for the 63rd edition of Nehru Boat Race on August 8.

The event takes place at Punnamada Lake and the chief guests for this year's edition include Vice President Hamid Ansari and Chinese Ambassador Le Yucheng.

Held on the second Saturday of August every year on the Punnamada Lake, near Alapuzha, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most competitive and popular of the boat races.

On the day of this fiercely fought boat race, the tranquil lake front is transformed into a sea of humanity with an estimated two lakh people, including tourists from abroad, coming to watch the event.

The major attraction of the boat race is the competition of snake boats chundanvallams or snake boats. Chundans (snake boats) are an impressive sight, measuring over 100 feet in length, with a raised prow.

This time, 16 teams will participate in the snake boat category. The race will also be held in the afternoon session. Around 60 boats will participate in the morning session of the event.

OneIndia News