Fringing the coast of Kerala
and winding far inland is an intricate network of innumerable Lagoons,
Lakes, Canals, Estuaries and the Deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into
the Arabian Sea. Over 900 kms of this labyrinthine water world is
navigable. As characteristic of Kerala as the 600km long coastline of
dazzling beaches is the dense, lush Backwaters of the Kerala state.
And
while hill stations are all over the country and palm-fringed beaches too,
the Backwaters are unique to Kerala. These Backwaters are both the basis of
a distinct lifestyle and a fascinating thoroughfare. Travelling by boat
along the Backwaters is one of the highlights of Kerala.
The boats
cross shallow, palm-fringed lakes studded with cantilevered Chineses fishing
nets and travel along narrow shady canals, where Coir, Copra, and Cashews
are loaded into the boats. 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, esturies 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. Each district of Kerala is marked by the presence of the
inviting Backwaters, which form a prominent part of the panoramic landscape
of Kerala.
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Kerala Houseboats |
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Have you ever gone houseboat cruising on the
backwaters of Kerala? If you havent, make sure you do. This
ones really an absolutely wonderful, unforgettable experience!
Traditional
Kerala houseboats, Kettuvallam, glide past, powered both by gondolier-like
boatmen with poles and by sail. Kerala's houseboat cruising is not just
restricted to the backwaters, you also get a chance to explore the wildlife
and indulge in some water sports such as water skiing, water sailing and
angling. The most popular backwater cruise is from Kollam to Allappuzha.