Kerala Backwaters : Feel the Beauty and Rhythm of Nature
Backwaters are unique tourist attractions of Kerala. Cruising along the marvelous Kerala backwaters on a traditional house boat is one of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of nature and simplicity of life. They will take you through a magical world of natural beauty blended with swaying coconut trees, paddy fields, banana trees, green vegetation, and an exotic village life from close vicinity, while you sail through the tranquil deep blue waters, making your journey a memorable experience.
Kerala Backwaters
The backwaters of Kerala consist of 900 km long navigable waterways with an interconnected network of lakes, canals, lagoons and inlets that run inland from the coast through different coastal destinations. Backwaters are formed by the natural action of waves and shore currents that creates small islands on the river mouths, which expose to sea in some areas. These fresh water sources have rich marine habitat and are blessed with natural beauty. This backwater network includes mainly five lakes and 41 West-flowing rivers. The lakes are Ashtamudi, Vembanad, Sasthamkotta, Akkulam and Pookot. All rivers are rain-fed rivers that originate from Western Ghats and flow to Arabian Sea.
Kettuvallam (Houseboat)
Kerala Backwaters are used by the local people for their traditional occupations like fishing and farming. By its picturesque beauty the backwaters became developed as tourist destinations. The traditional house boats called “Kettuvallams”, originally used as grain barges, to transport rice and spices, have transformed into tourist accommodations with all facilities.
These floating cottages have all amenities of a luxurious modern home, like dining area, sleeping area, and western style toilets. Mouthwatering foods with Kerala flavor is prepared on board by the accompanying staff. Kettuvallams are motorized and are provided with air-conditioned bed rooms. These luxurious travelling cottages cater to the needs and tastes of Indian and International tourists and provide a spectacular view of the surrounding nature throughout its journey.
Backwater Destinations
Vembanad Lake, the longest lake in India, has the largest backwater stretch covering the backwater destinations of three districts Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam; and opens out into Arabian Sea at Kochi. Ashtamudi Lake has the second largest backwater stretch, covering Kollam district.
The most popular backwater destinations of Kerala are Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kumarakam, Kochi, Kasargod and Thiruvananthapuram. A journey through the backwaters through different destinations will unfold you the multifarious faces of rural life in Kerala, such as coir making, prawn breeding, basket weaving, duck rearing, rice farming, boat building, and many more. You can visit the popular tourist attractions of each destination and enjoy some enhancing moments, exploring their charms.
Kollam Backwaters
Ashtamudi lake, the most visited backwaters in the State, located in Kollam district, is renowned for its natural beauty and rich bio-diversity. It is one of the largest fresh water lakes in India interconnecting the entire South Kerala with numerous navigable canals and waterways. The word ‘Ashtamudi’ literally means ‘eight cones’, which indicates its shape with different branches. Ashtamudi Lake covers 30% of the city, making Kollam the gateway to Kerala backwaters.
The beautiful town Kollam is famous for coir manufacturing, cashew nut processing and spice trade. The famous Chinese fishing net called “Cheenavala”, duck farming, Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram and Portuguese fort are some of the attractions of Kollam. The famous Munroe Island is a great place to visit here. The eight hour long enticing journey between Kollam and Alappuzha trip is the longest backwater cruise in Kerala.
Alappuzha Backwaters
The backwater stretch of Vemabanad Lake, the longest lake in India, covers the backwater destinations of different districts including Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam.
Alappuzha (formerly known as Alleppey), referred to as the “Venice of East”, is blessed with its natural beauty and a vast network of lagoons and canals. More than 400 houseboats ply the backwaters that will take you through Kottayam, Kollam, Kumarakom and Kochi. You can enjoy the attractive landscapes, paddy areas below water levels, fishing using fish nets, flocks of ducks, and water lilies. The town is famous for its houseboat holidays, snake boat races, coir industry, marine products, and banana crops. Alappuzha is one of the most visited backwater tourist centres in Kerala attracting thousands of Indian and foreign tourists every year. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a most popular Snake Boat Race held in the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha on the second Saturday of August, which is a major tourist attraction.
Kuttanad, the hub of Alappuzha backwaters, is known as the ‘rice bowl of Kerala’ due to its abundance of paddy crops. It is one of the rare places in the world where farming is done below sea level. It is amazing to watch the waterways flowing above the land level. It is also a land blessed with plenty of banana crops, cassava and yams.
Kottayam Backwaters
Vembanad Lake, with a large number of navigable waterways makes Kottayam backwaters a popular tourist destination. The city is famous for 100 percent literacy rate. Surrounded by a vast region of paddy fields, widespread rubber plantations, coconut groves, high lands, cash crops, and the picturesque backwaters you get immense pleasure throughout the journey. In this city of latex and lakes you can see a variety of historic churches and temples.
In this highly fertile land blessed with natural beauty, you can witness paddy farming many feet below-sea level. You can even spend some moments in fishing and experience the sincerity and hospitality of local people and their simple lifestyle. The houseboats offer mouth-watering foods made of sea-foods prepared in unique Kerala style.
Kumarakom Backwaters
Kumarakom is a small village, at about 16 km from Kottayam town, formed by a group of small islands in Vembanad lake. With rich mangrove forests, coconut palms, extensive paddy fields, white lilies and vegetation, Kumarakom is also referred as “Green Paradise on Earth”. It is a fascinating picnic spot that provides you thrilling experiences of fishing, boating and site seeing. The unique attraction is the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary where you can watch several unusual migratory birds like Siberian stork, darter, egret, teal and heron.
Cruising in a houseboat or a fishing boat through the tranquil backwaters of Vembanad, and watching the rare migratory birds without destroying the serene atmosphere will be a memorable experience. Kumarakom backwaters is an ideal tourist destination that you should never miss.
Kochi Backwaters
Kochi, known as the “Queen of Arabian Sea”, is a group of small islands formed in the vast Vembanad lake. Some of these picture-perfect islands are Bolgatty, Willingdon Island, Gundu, Vallarpadam, and Vypin. Kochi is a luxurious port city and one of the best backwater destinations of Kerala. Kochi is the starting point or end point of most of the major backwater cruises of the state. Kochi is a major trade centre and one of the finest natural harbors in the world with a combination of varieties of cultures and influences.
Some of the ancient monuments including Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace and Fort Kochi attract many of the tourists. With an endless line up of coconut trees on the banks, water birds, charming greenery and wild flowers Kochi backwaters provide you an unforgettable experience.
Kasargod Backwaters
Kasargod, in the northern most end of Kerala, with Arabian Sea on its west and Western Ghats on its east, is a well-known backwater destination popular for its forts, rivers, hills, lush greenery, paddy field and beaches. Though it is a less explored backwater destination, you can enjoy here the natural beauty of landscape, where four small islands surrounded by river streams slowly merge into the Kasargod backwaters. Chandragiri and Valiyaparamba are the two popular backwater destinations you can explore that will rejuvenate you with fresh energy. The famous and well preserved Bakel fort, the largest of its kind in Kerala, is an archaeological wonder that you should not miss.
Thiruvananthapuram Backwaters
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, with its lengthy shorelines and beautiful beaches, historic monuments, rich cultural heritage, festivities, and wonderful backwater stretches, has become one of the most sought after destinations of tourists in Kerala. The popular backwater stretches are Thiruvallam, Veli Tourist village and Akkulam Boat Club. Thiruvallam is popular for its famous canoe rides. Thiruvallam is at the convergence of two beautiful rivers, Killy and Karamana. At Veli Lagoon there are attractive facilities for water sports, floating bridge and water front park. Akkulam Boat club offers very enthralling boating cruises.
Conclusion
Next time when you take a break from the hectic city life and plan to visit the popular tourist destinations of Kerala, do not forget cruising through the stunning backwaters of Kerala, enjoying the life and rhythm of nature. No doubt they will bless you with an unforgettable experience for a lifetime.
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