Aroma Chundan has won the 72nd Nehru Trophy Boat Race final at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha on Saturday, according to the final result.

Nadubhagam finished second, while Veeyapuram secured third place and Melapad came fourth.

The result followed a review of the photofinish after the closely contested final.

Aroma Chundan emerged as the winner after the final showdown at Punnamada, finishing ahead of Nadubhagam.

Veeyapuram, the defending champion after winning the 2025 Nehru Trophy, had to settle for third place this year. Melapad finished fourth.

The prestigious race was inaugurated earlier in the day by Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan and Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

A total of 71 boats, including 22 Chundan Vallams, took part across various categories.

Final follows six heats

The final came after six heats earlier in the day.

United Boat Club Kainakary's Veeyapuram won the first heat in 4:20, while Pallathuruthy won the third heat in 4:14. Nadubhagam finished second in that heat, clocking 4:16.

Aroma Chundan had won the fourth heat in 4:27 to secure its place in the final.

Thousands of spectators gathered at Punnamada for the annual boat race, with the district administration making security, traffic and crowd-management arrangements.

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race dates back to 1952 and is one of Kerala's major cultural and sporting events. It is traditionally held at Punnamada Lake during the Onam season.