Kerala Backwaters As IHR has considerable stake in the tourism around Kerala Backwaters it would be worthwhile to have a post on the same. The backwaters in Kerala are an unique asset to the state stretches almost to 1,900 kilometers and out of this 900 kms are navigable. With 44 rivers, innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries the backwater primarily covers the 4 districts of the state. They are Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kochi. A network of canals connects all the backwater bodies which are large inland lakes in essence. There are some interesting facts concerning these vast water bodies. The largest backwater body is the VembanadLake. The VembanadLake flows through the Alappuzha and Kottayam districts before emptying into the Arabian Sea at Kochi port. AstamudiLake known as the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala is the second largest backwater stretch. This lake with eight arms is in Kollam district. The Kuttanad region in Alappuzha is called as the ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala’ is another interesting aspect of the backwaters. It is among the rare few places in the world where rice cultivation or for that matter farming is done below sea level. Gliding down these calm and serene backwaters are the ubiquitous Kettuvalloms. A Kettuvallom is a huge, long comfortably finished houseboat complete with Kitchen made by tying together peaces of wood. An interesting phenomenon of these boats is that not a single nail is used in making them. The longest sail in these majestic boats is a journey of 8 hours from AstamudiLake to Alappuzha. During monsoon season, the serene backwaters come to life with the sound of drums heralding the start of traditional snake boat races. Held at Alappuzzha , the 130-feet-long chundan boats, with over a hundred rowers each compete for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race held on the second Saturday of August. Up to 16 Boats with separate sections for men and women fight it out in the waters for the coveted trophy. In north the districts of Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod leads the brigades with some fantastic destinations. Following are some of the major stretches in the wondrous Backwater circuit of Kerala. - Alappuzha Backwaters
- AshtamudiLake
- Kuttanad backwater
- Kuttanad Backwaters
- Sasthamkotta Backwaters
- Akathumuri. Lake
- Thiruvallam Backwaters
- VembanadLake
- Valiyaparamba Backwaters
- Kavvayi Kayal
- Padanna Backwaters
Courtesy: Kerala Tourism |
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