Backwaters of Kerala

Today, these most popular tourist attraction of Kerala, the palm-fringed, tranquil backwaters were once just the state's trade highways. Kerala is her backwaters and lakes. They have dictated her history, shaped her present and promise a future by virtue of offering incomparable beauty and unique experiences. The state's palm-fringed backwaters are inland lakes connected by a networkof canals. With 41 west-flowing rivers, the backwaters stretch to almost 1,900 kilometers. The backwater routes date back over the centuries and have been long used for all transportation needs, in particular trade in coconut, rubber, rice and spices. Today, these waterways link remote villages and islands to the mainland and nerve centers of the coastal area.

The most interesting area in the backwaters is the Kuttanad region, called the rice bowl of Kerala. The area is probably the only place in the continent where farming is done below sea level, using a system of dykes and bunds.

The largest backwater stretch is the Vembanad Lake, which opens out into the sea at the Kochi port and flows through three districts-Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kochi. The Ashtamudi Lake has eight 'arms' covering a major portion of Kollam district in the south, and is the second largest lake in the state.

The Kerala backwaters formed the unique way of travelling in the past. Till date the Kerala backwaters is efficiently used as a means to transport men and material. The entire experience of the green and serene Kerala backwaters is incomparable and incredible. The vivacious and vibrant village life cannot be left in a better way on a smooth sail in the houseboat on Kerala backwaters. The Kerala backwaters have a fleet of over 250 houseboats. The panoramic nature surrounding the houseboats is clubbed with the equally well-furnished interiors.When onboard the houseboats in Kerala backwaters, you may savour the traditional delicacies of Kerala. The cuisine is captivating owing to the local specialties in the menu like the chicken and fish curry. The food is generally fresh as the material is purchased on the way across the Kerala backwaters. You must opt for the fabulous ride on the houseboat and explore the fascinating beauty of the Kerala backwaters.

The most exciting thing on the backwaters of Kerela, however, is the kettuvallom ( traditional houseboat ) which has become the most popular tourism product in India today. In a land as waterbound as Kerala it wouldn't be an unusual sight, but for a visitor to God's Own Country a houseboat gliding along the vast green expanse of the backwaters is the most amazing spectacle in the world. Even more enchanting is a holiday in the houseboats of Kerela.

back water destination

Backwater festival

In the monsoon months, the backwaters reverberate with the sound of the traditional snake boat races, featuring the 130-feet-long chundan boats. Up to 16 of them, with over a hundred rowers each, compete for the honors during the races. The most important of these races is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race held on the second Saturday of August. The Aranmula Boat Festival of the Parthasarathy temple of Aranmula, on the banks of the holy river Pamba, is the more traditional race. The boat carnival starts on the day of Thiruonam, the most auspicious day of the Kerala festival, Onam.

The Vallamkali (boat race) is one of the main attractions of Onam, and is best seen at Aranmulai and Kottayam. About a hundred oarsmen row huge and graceful odee (boats). Oars dip and flash to the rhythm of drums and cymbals in each boat. The songs are generally typical in character and concern people well known in Malabar. Above each boat gleam scarlet silk umbrellas: their number denotes the affluence of the family owning the boat. Gold coins and tassels hang from the umbrellas. In the evening girls perform the Kaikottikkali (Thiruvathirakkali) in the open, dancing around the traditional brass lamp.

Onam, the principal festival of Kerala, is celebrated against a setting of lush green vegetation. This picturesque harvest festival brings ten days of colour feasting, boat races, song and dance to the state.

According to legend, the state's most colourful festival, Onam celebrates the golden age of King Mahabali, the mythical ruler of Kerala. The festival is to welcome the spirit of King Mahabali, and to assure him that his people are happy and wish him well. The myth goes like this:

The Devas or Gods were worried over the wise and good rule of Mahabali, the Asura king, thinking that he might become too powerful. They sought the help of Vishnu (the preserver in the Hindu trinity) to curb Mahabali's power. Vishnu, in the form of a dwarf called Vamana, approached him and had been offered a boon by the king. The Vamana asked for three paces of land and the king agreed to it. Soon the dwarf began to expand and with the first step, he covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, he straddled the nether world. Realising that the Vamana's third step will destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head as the last step. The Gods were glad, but since Mahabali was so attached to his kingdom and the subjects and was very much loved by the people, he was allowed to return once a year.

Onam (Thiruonam) is considered to be the day when King Mahabali comes from exile to visit his beloved people.

The festivity begins ten days before Thiruonam, by putting floral decorations (Pookkalam) on every home. At Trichur (Thrissur), caparisoned elephants take part in a spectacular procession. A magnificent display of fireworks marks the end of the festivities here. At Cheruthuruthy, appreciative crowds gather on the green, where the Kathakali dancers, resplendent in their brilliant costumes, re-enact the well-loved stories of the epic heroes and virtuous women. Pulikali, also known as Kaduvakali is a common sight during Onam season. Performers painted like tigers in bright yellow, red and black, dance to the beats of instruments like udukku and thakil.