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Travel & Tours |
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TRAVEL & TOURS
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| Kerala lives along these backwaters.
They snake over the state physique, bestowing paddy fields
with good harvests,
and provide the whole village with drinking water and other
facilities. The backwaters refer to the large inland lakes
of Kerala. Today these backwaters act as vital water ways
for the transport of people and produce.
Kerala Backwaters - A houseboat ride through the placid
backwaters of Kerala and enjoy a cruise through the natural
vistas of God's Own Country
Kerala is a labyrinth of lazily meandering backwaters.
Sprinkled with traditional houseboats, country crafts,
rural lifestyles and Tranquility. It's an intricate
network of innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries
and the deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into
the Arabian Sea. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water
world is navigable. The largest backwater stretch in
Kerala is the Vembanad lake which flows through three
districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi port.
Backwaters are the accumulation of Sea Water at the
sea beach during the to-fro motion of sea-waves in
the form of lagoons, estuaries etc. Today, Kerala Backwaters
has become the most exciting tourist spot in India.
The Ashtamudi Lake (literally, having eight arms),
which covers a major portion of Kollam district in
the south, is the second largest and is considered
the gateway to the backwaters.
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The lagoons, lakes, canals and rivers are lined up with
dense tropical vegetation on either side. It is a breathtaking
bout to experience a solitary and calm glide through
this network of waterways. The backwaters form a specially
attractive and economically valuable feature of Kerala.
They include lakes and ocean inlets which stretch irregularly
along the coast. The biggest backwater is the Vembabad
lake, some 200 sq kilometers in area, which opens out
into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port. The Periyar, Pamba,
Manimala, Achenkovil, Meenachil and Moovattupuzha rivers
drain into this lake. Veli, Kadhinamkulam, Anjengo (Anju
Thengu), Edava, Nadayara, Paravoor, Ashtamudi (in Kollam
Dist.) Kayamkulam, Kodungallur (in Trissur Dist) and
Chetuva are some of the other places where you may go
for backwater cruising. The backwaters of Kerala stretch
over 1900 Kilometers, providing drinking water and irrigation
facilities.
Trivandrum District
Thiruvallam (6 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram)
This serene backwater stretch, enroute to Kovalam,
is famous for its canoe rides. It is the meeting point
of two rivers-Killi and Karamana. A temple dedicated
to Parashurama, the legendary founder of Kerala, is
located in Thiruvallam.
Veli Tourist Village (8 kilometers from Thriruvananthapuram)
The Veli Tourist Village is bordered by the Veli lagoon
and the Arabian sea. The lagoon here is separated from
the sea by a narrow sand bar. Facilities at the village
include water sports in the lagoon and an 18-acre waterfront
park with a floating bridge that connects the village
to the beach
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Alumkadavu (23 kilometers from Kollam)
Alumkadavu is halfway on the route to Alappuzha from
Kollam. This quiet little backwater village in Karunagapally
town is famed for its boat building yard. It is here
that the gigantic kettuvallams (cargo boats of rural
Kerala) were built. Today the Kettuvallams which were
long replaced by modern means of transport, have been
converted into houseboats.
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Kuttanad,
called the rice bowl of Kerala, because of her wealth
of paddy crops is at the very heart of the
backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its
shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of bananas.
Yams and cassava which accompany the rice bowl as "side
dishes". This is one of the places in the world
where farming is done below sea level. Inland waterways
which flow above land level is an amazing feature of
this unique land.
Pathiramanal (14 kilometers from Alappuzha)
This little island on the backwaters is a favorite haunt
of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts
of the world. This island is accessible only by boat.
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| Bordered
by the lofty Western Chats on the east, the Vembanad Lake
and the paddy fields of Kuttanad on the
west, Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics. Panoramic
backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, extensive
rubber plantations and a totally literate people
have given this district the title: the land of letters,
latex and lakes
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The enchanting backwater destination
of Kumarakom is a small village that is a cluster of little
islands on
the Vembanad Lake in Kerela. Kumarkom strengthens Kerala’s
reputation for being God’s own country with its
unbelievably beautiful mangrove forests, coconut groves
and emerald green paddy fields interspersed with enchanting
waterways and canals adorned with while lillies. It is
part of the Kuttanad region, and the bird sanctuary here
spread across 14 acres of any ornithologist's paradise. This enchanting backwater destination offers visitors
many leisure options. From wandering into the depths
of its wildlife sanctuary to cruising down the back waters
and fishing, Kumarkom is perfect for a lazy and laid
back holiday. The best way to watch the birds of the
Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands,
as hundreds of swaying verdant coconut palms lining the
rivers lean to brush the tops of your heads. Kumarkom
is an example of nature at her bountiful best in the
fragrant flowers, the riot of multi coloured birds, the
surrounding greenry and the clear waters.
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More popular
as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Kochi is a cluster of
islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad
Lake. Some of these picturesque islands are Bolgatty, Vypeen,
Gundu and Vallarpadam. The
lake opens out into the Arabian Sea here to form one
of the finest natural harbours in the world. It is
this natural advantage that has made Kochi a fascinating
blend of the cultures and influences of the explorers
and traders who visited this wealthy land. The Arabs,
Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and the British have all left
their mark here. The Jewish synagogue,
the Dutch palace, the Chinese fishing nets, and other
remnants of European and Asian architecture merge smoothly
into the traditional fabric of the seaport city. Half
the fun of visiting Kochi is moving around on the local
ferries. A conducted cruise through the winding
waterways will take you to several quaint spots. Once
the capital of the powerful Zamorins, a prominent trade
and commerce centre and the land of the Malabar
Mahotsavam, Kozhikode was the most important region of
Malabar in days past.
Today, ancient monuments, lush green
countryside, serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife
sanctuaries, rivers,
hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly ambience
make this district a much sought after destination. Unexplored,
unspoiled, the backwaters of Kozhikode hold great promises
of enchanting holiday options. Elathur,
the Canoli Canal and the Kallai River are favourite places
for boating. Kadalundi, with its beautiful bird sanctuary
is a charming site. Korapuzha, the venue of the Korapuzha
Jalotsavam
(water fiesta) is fast becoming a popular water sport
destination.
It offers a breathtaking view of the river and the Arabian
Sea. It is a vantage point to watch the sunset.
Chandragiri cruises :
Boat trips to nearby islands and palm groves are available.
Boarding point : Chandragiri bridge.
Valiyaparamba (30 km from Bekal Fort)
This is perhaps the most scenic backwater stretch in
Kerala. Fed by four rivers and dotted with numerous
little islands, Valiyaparamba is fast turning into
a much favoured backwater resort. |
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