Alappuzha, November 10: The 2018 Kerala Nehru Trophy Boat Race has begun in the beautiful backwaters of Alappuzha. 81 boats including 25 snake boats will participate in Vembanad lake today. The event not only attracts Indians, but tourists from across the globe. This year, South Indian superstar Allu Arjun and his wife Sneha Reddy have been invited as Chief Guests. The race was inaugurated by Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam.

The 66th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race highlights the undying spirit of Kerala, as the Nipah virus outbreak followed by the devastating floods could not stop the Kuttanad district from hosting the much-awaited snake boat race. Kerala Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2018: Origin, History & Other Facts About the Spectacular Event in Alleppey

Watch the live streaming of Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2018 here:

According to Vinod, a clerk handling the race, 5,000 rowers would be participating tomorrow. A total 25 chundan (long) boats and 56 small boats would be participating. The chundan boats will carry nearly 100 rowers, whereas, 40-50 oarsmen will be on board the smaller ones. Kerala Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2018: Transgender Community to Participate in the Annual Celebration for the First Time

66th Nehru Trophy Boat Race Schedule & Special Guests:

Union Minister for Tourism P Sathasivam has been invited as the guest of honour. The final round began at 2:30 pm and end at 5:30 pm. The highly popular football club team - Kerala Blasters - has also been issued an invite. The tournament forms part of Kerala's prestigious watersports culture. Despite the unprecedented damage in the floods, the participation in this year's boat race will be the highest ever since 1952.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 10, 2018 02:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).