Thazhathangadi boat race under way in Kottayam in this file photo. | Photo Credit: VISHNU PRATHAP The 125th edition of the Thazhathangadi boat race will be held on the Meenachil river in Kottayam on Saturday (October 24).As many as nine snakeboats that competed in the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) will vie for honours in the seventh leg of the Champions Boat League (CBL). The regatta is organised by the Kottayam West Club in association with the Department of Tourism, Kottayam municipality and Thiruvarppu grama panchayat.The participating snakeboats are Melpadam Chundan of Pallathuruthy Boat Club, Aroma Chundan of Kollam Aroma Boat Club, Veeyapuram of UBC FC Kainakary, Nadubhagam of Punnamada Boat Club, Niranam Chundan of Niranam Boat Club, Arppookara Chundan of Kumarakom Emmanuel Boat Club, Niranam Punyavalan of KTBC Kumarakom, Cheruthana of Nattakom Boat Club, Kottayam, and Thalavady of Village Boat Club.The competitions will feature several categories of boats, including chundan (snakeboats) and different classes of churulan, veppu and iruttukuthi.
Preparations are under way to install a remote start system, photo-finish technology and track markers along the racecourse, besides arranging spectator facilities on both banks of the river.Meanwhile, the boat clubs have stepped up preparations, with several leading snakeboats having begun trial runs on the Meenachil river. A cultural programme showcasing Keralam’s traditional art forms will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday at a specially arranged venue near the racecourse.Dating back to 1887, the Thazhathangadi boat race is one of the oldest in Kerala.
Its origins are traced to the tenure of Diwan Peshkar T. Ramarao.
Initially sponsored by the Travancore royalty, the race was held annually until 1985. It was revived after a 12-year hiatus.
Published - October 22, 2026 06:32 pm IST