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Tourism —» Kerala
Backwaters
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Kerala Backwaters
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The
backwaters of Kerala are what have given it the sobriquet "God's Own Country".
As you meander through these on a houseboat you drift into a timeless land replete
with picture-postcard towns and ancient trading posts. The huge coconut trees
provide an apt backdrop and perhaps you can even eavesdrop on the strains of
an oarsman's song.
A network of lakes, rivers and canals fringe the coast of Kerala. These backwaters,
while a great inland thoroughfare on water, offer an alternative lifestyle.
The criss-crossed, palm-fringed lakes traversed with Chinese fishing nets are
very popular cruises, especially between Kollam and Allappuzha. The backwaters
have become important attractions though they are threatened by population growth
and industrial development. Of the 29 major lakes on the backwaters, seven drain
into the sea. Stretched over a total expanse of 1500 kms, the backwaters have
a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from north to south.
A great way to explore the hinterland is to go through the villages. A guide
takes a group of people through the villages on an open boat or covered kettuvellum.
The tour lasts from two to six hours. It's a fascinating experience to wander
from village to village, learn how the village economy runs, and watch coir
making, boat building, toddy tapping and fish farming. Some of the best village
tours operate out of Kochi, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. On the backwaters
you have the major towns Allapuzha and Varkala and Quilon.
Quilon
Quilon is nestled among cashew plantations and red-roofed wooden house set among
winding streets. It has Portuguese and Dutch and English influences. The boat
cruise here consists of passing through the cashew processing factories. There
are lots of birds to watch out for - Brahminy kites, egrets, kingfishers, and
bee-eaters. You can tickle your taste buds with some sumptuous seafood. Prawn
farming, fish catching, copra drying and matchstick making are the main occupations
here.
Alappuzha
The Alappuzha area is a place that coaxes you to let your hair down. The canals
here form a web that serves the coir industry. There is nothing much here by
way of sightseeing, but if you plan your trip around the second Saturday of
August each year, you'll be in time for the Nehru Cup snakeboat race, an adrenaline-pumping
local event.
Kottayam
The other major place here that you must visit is Kottayam, focus for the Syrian
Christians of India, and also the heart of rubber production. Kottayam's backwater
cruise is shorter than Allapuzha's. There are elegant Syrian Christian churches
that date back to antiquity - some are more than 500 years old. The Kumarakom
bird sanctuary on Vembanad Lake is 16km west of Kottayam in a rubber plantation
of yore. Waterfowl and other species can be spotted as they flutter about here.
Aranmula
As you take a cruise do make it a point to go to Changanacherry and from there
to Aranmula near Kottayam. You can enroll at the art village, Vijnana kala Vedi
center, to learn woodcarving, dance, martial arts like Kalaraipayattu, and traditional
medicine. You can fashion your own course though one month's training is preferred.
Amrithapuri
Boats also drop you off at the Mata Amritanandamayi Mission at Amrithapuri,
the headquarters of Amritanandamayi Ma, the female mystic. Some opt to stay
here. The Kumarakody temple is also en route as is the Karumadi Kuttan Buddha
image on the bank of the canal.
Kettuvalloms & Speedboats
For the best experience there is no option but to try out the more expensive
option--- hiring a kettuvellam or traditional rice barge. There are houseboats
if you've booked a group tour. Houseboats cater to couples as well with double
bedrooms. Overnight stays allow you to make the Kollam-Alappuzha in two days.
It moors in the backwaters overnight. Optionally, Malayali food can be cooked
for you at a small extra cost.
