Aroma Chundan clinched the title in the Thazhathangady boat race

Aroma Chundan, rowed by Aroma Boat Club, crosses the finish line in the final of the Thazhathangady Boat Race, part of the Champions Boat League, in Kottayam on Saturday. | Photo credit: VISHNU PRATHAP

Aroma Chundan, rowed by the Aroma Boat Club of Paravur in Kollam cruised to victory in the Thazhathangady Boat Race, the Kottayam leg of the Champions Boat League (CBL). Aroma Chundan crossed the finish line in 3 minutes and 21.227 seconds to claim the title. Melpadam Chundan, rowed by Pallathuruthy Boat Club, finished second in 3 minutes 21.802 seconds, followed by Niranam Chundan of Niranam Boat Club in 3 minutes 21.925 seconds. Veeyapuram, Cheruthana, Arppookara, Punyalan Niranam, Nadubhagam and Thalavady finished fourth to ninth.

In the smaller boat categories, Puthenparambil won the Iruttukuthi B-grade, Champion secured the Veppu B-grade title, Moozhi won the Churulan category and Munnuthaikkal won the Iruttukuthi A-grade event. Aroma Boat Club will receive ₹5 lakh as prize money for winning, while Pallathuruthy Boat Club and Niranam Boat Club will receive ₹3 and 1 lakh respectively for finishing second and third respectively. District Superintendent of Police KM Sabu Mathew distributed the prizes at the function.

Earlier in the day, Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan launched the race for the post chaired by Water Resources and Housing Minister Mons Joseph. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Joseph said that the Speaker had submitted a proposal to build a permanent pavilion for the Thazhathangada Boat Race. The government will assess the proposal and take a positive decision, he said.

Kottayam Municipal District Chairman MP Santhosh Kumar hoisted the flag to mark the start of the ceremony. The speaker released the boat race souvenir by handing a copy to Mr. Joseph. Kottayam MP Francis George called off the mass drill at the snake boats and water parade. District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena also spoke.

Published – 24 Oct 2026 20:33 IST