Kochi : The sixth leg of Champions Boat League (CBL-2026) and Indira Gandhi Boat Race will be held at Marine Drive on Saturday.
The main event features nine top-tier snake boats (chundan vallams) that qualified from the 2026 Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha — AROMA-1, Nadubhagom, Veeyapuram, Melpadam, Niranam, Arpookara, Cheruthana, Punnamada Niranam and Thalavady. Alongside the main CBL circuit, spectators will see traditional local boat races featuring smaller craft like thaniyan, thuruthippuram and St Sebastian No 1, as well as fast-paced iruttukuthi boat races featuring teams from across the state. Organised by the department of tourism, the water sports festival kicks off at 12pm with an opening ceremony, followed by a mass drill and competitive races. Higher education minister Roji M John will inaugurate the event, presided over by T J Vinod, MLA.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi Stay updated with the latest Kochi news. Navy and fire force will conduct live demonstrations. Cultural entertainment includes a musical fusion performance and traditional art forms. Govt agencies have coordinated safety measures, spectator pavilions and public amenities along the waterfront. Tourism officials highlight that combining heritage sports with cultural showcases boosts Kochi’s appeal to international travellers while preserving regional traditions for younger generations. The daylong celebration will conclude in the evening with an official prize distribution ceremony. Download the TOI App.