Nehru Trophy Boat Race (Vallamkali): Complete List of Winners 1952-2015

The 63rd Nehru Trophy boat race was won by Vembanad Boat Club's Jawahar Thayankari, which was helmed by Jameskutty Jacob, at Punnamada Lake on Saturday.

Mahadevikkattil came in second and Sree Ganesh finished third, followed by St Pius 10th.

Jawahar Thayankari, which debuted in 1977, marked their first victory in the same year and repeated it in the following year, 1978. Later, they had won in 1985 and 2010.

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, which was first held in 1952, has become one of Kerala's greatest attractions. Foreign tourists often identify God's Own Country with its snake boats that glide through the lush green backwaters.

When India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visted Alappuzha, he was welcomed with an exciting snake boat race. After returning to Delhi in 1952, he donated a silver trophy that was a replica of a snake boat placed on a wooden abacus with an inscription, which read: "To the winners of the boat race, which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore Cochin." 

The silver trophy was later renamed as the Nehru Trophy and in honour of the former PM, Kerala has been organising the famous regatta every year.

In 2014, the coveted trophy was won by Kainakary United Boat Club's Champakkulam Chundan. Karichal Chundan stands first with the highest number of victories (13), followed by Champakulam (10).

[Read more: Calendar of Upcoming Snake Boat Races in Kerala]

Here is the complete list of Nehru Trophy winners from 1952 to 2015:

(credit: OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF NEHRU TROPHY BOAT RACE)