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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
Location: 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
Location: 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.
Kollam District
Alumkadavu
Location: 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.
Alleppey
District
Kuttanad
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
Location: 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.
Kottayam &
Ernakulam Districts
Vembanad
Location: 16 kilometers from Kottayam.
 Vembanad,
the largest lake in Kerala, spreads in the
districts of Kottayam and Ernakulam,
receives the mighty deluge of five rivers in
its benign lap. Located at Kumarakom, the
Vembanad lake, an enchanting picnic spot and
a fast developing backwater tourism
designation, provides boating, fishing and
sight-seeing experiences that are truly
exhilarating. The Kumarakom Tourist Village
offers houseboat cruises and holiday
packages.
Kasargod District
Chandragiri
Location: 4 kilometers from Kasargod town.
Situated on the Chandragiri river, southeast
of Kasargod town, this town is known for its
large 17th century for built by
Sivappa Naik of Bedanore. The Chandragiri
fort, one of the chain of forts built by the
same ruler, offers a breathtaking view of
the river and the Arabian sea. It is a
vantage point to watch the sunset.
Valiyaparamba
Location: 30 kilometers 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 favored
backwater resort that offers enchanting boat
cruises.
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