Hundreds competed for the Nehru Trophy during an annual boat race held in Kerala's Alappuzha on August 12.

Footage shows teams of boaters gliding across the Punnamada Lake surface at great speeds.

Large crowds of spectators lined the lake's edges to watch the 69th edition of the race.

Annual Kerala boat race 2023 also known as Nehru Trophy celebrated this year with much fanfare in Kerala's Alappuzha.
This was the 69th edition of the Nehru trophy boat race that took place on 12th August.
Pallathuruthy boat Club clinched the trophy on their Veeyapuram chundan ( sanke boat) . This race happened on Punnamada lake amid rains. More than 70 boats participated in the historic race for the trophy named after first prime Minister of India. Hundred of spectators including foreigners crowded the banks of the lake to catch a glimpse of thrilling race.
The story behind this water regatta getting it's name goes back to visit of Nehru in 1952 . He was so enchanted by the sight of the magestic snake boats that he leaped onto one of the snake boats himself. Later on in the year, he donated a silver trophy in the form of a snake boat as a gift for the memories of the time he spent there. The race went on yo be named the Nehru trophy boat race