It's an intricate network of innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine waterworld is navigable. 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.

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.

The kettuvalloms:
Showcasing a unique heritage The kettuvalloms (houseboats) of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length. It took great skill and meticulousness to construct these giants by tying huge planks of jack wood together, without the use of a single nail.

Today, these goods carriers have been adapted to make the most exciting tourism product in India, the luxurious furnished houseboat. A kettuvallom usually has one or two bath attached bedrooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide.

KERALA BACKWATERS & BOAT RACES

Land and water share an extraordinary kingship in Kerala. This land which is believed to have sprung forth from the sea, continues to bask in the tender life giving care of the waters that lap gently on its coast, cascade down its hills and valleys and rests calmly in exotic backwaters and lagoons.

There is a different Kerala along these backwaters, throbbing with its own unique culture. For you as a visitor to Kerala, it can be an incredibly different experience just floating on these waters in a country craft and absorbing this unusual representation of Kerala's life.

You might begin at Alappuzha, which is hailed as the 'Venice of the East', because of its intricate maze of backwaters, canals and bridges. When the visitor leaves Alappuzha on a boat voyage through Kuttanad, he will find himself travelling along canals where the level of water is often higher than that of the green fields on either side. You could journey right up to Kochi via the backwaters. Many beautiful sights greet you along the way, such as the Chinese fishing nets, said to have been introduced into Kerala by the traders from Kublai Khan's Court. A beautiful backwater spot accessible from Alappuzha is Kumarakom. Breathtakingly green, the village slumbers by the Vembanad Lake. On-cruise scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of lush green and deep blues. As the boat glides along the gorgeous green of the fringed palms the ripples in the blue waters blend into little wavelets.

The place is so beautiful that Henry Baker, an Englishman, built his bungalow here in the last century. Now this elegant English bungalow is a Tourist complex.

A 14-acre bird sanctuary adds to the natural beauty of Kumarakom. Birds such as Water Ducks, Cuckoos, Siberian Stroks spend happy summers here.

By the Vembanad Lake nestles a golden yellow island, Pathiramanal which is heaven of peace for the tourists.

The short boat ride from Kochi will transport you to a world of quite and peace of warmth and friendliness.

Again from Alappuzha you could go upto Kollam. The route winds up the Pampa river to Champakkulam, an island hamlet, then into the Karumadi Canal. The statue of Karumadikuttan is believed to be of Buddha. Some see it as a remnant of a bygone era when Buddhist monks came to Kerala with the message of love and non-violence. Then past Trikunna-puzha, across Kayamkulam Lake and Ashtamudi Lake, finally drawing in to the ancient port of Kollam. Through out, the scenery continues to be ravishing.

It is in the months of August and September that the moist, rain-drenched earth and the glorious overflowing backwaters burst into song together, as over hundred thousand men and women gather on the banks to witness a spectacular water regatta - the Snake Boat Races. Boat race crews begin to practice for the race months before the great day. They live together, eat together, toil together to work themselves into a smooth, co-ordinated team. On boat race day, the Chundan Valloms as the greatest racing boats are called are slicked down with a special oil to make them glide effortlessly through water. The crews then visit a shrine carrying the stroke and largest steering oar with them. The crews then visit a shrine carrying the stroke and largest steering oar with them. And having offered prayers to the Almighty, they are now ready to war with their fellow men. The air crackles with excitement as the best of the 130 feet Chundan Valloms, each manned by over a hundred rowers, fly through the waters at break neck speed, egged on by the fierce competitive spirit that marks the event and the spectators lusty roars. The most famous of these are the Nehru Trophy Boat Race on the Second Saturday of every August and the Aranmula Uthrittathi Boat Race, Champakulam Moolam Vallam Kali - which are connected with a temple festival. There are a dozen other Snake Boat races.

Champakulam, Kavalam, Karichal, Jawahar Thayangari, Kallooparamban, Pulinkunnu, Nadubhagam, Cheruthana, Kandangari and Paippad are the chief competitors for the trophies. Large and spectacular chundans glide towards the finishing line like meteors in the sky with water splashing violently on both sides like streaks of lightning. An unforgettable and truly special scene. The fund of energy, spirit of competition and unerring co-ordination makes this sport one of the most dynamic.

Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters. Forty four rivers - 41 west flowing and 3 east flowing-cut across Kerala with their innumerable tributaries and branches, but these rivers are comparatively small and being entirely monsoon fed, practically turn into rivulets in summer, especially in the upper areas.

The backwaters from a specially attractive and economically valuable feature of Kerala. They include lake and oceans inlets which stretch irregularly along the coast. The biggest backwaters is the Vembanad Lake which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port. The other important backwaters are Veli, Kadinamkulam, Anjengo, Edava, Madayara, Paravoor, Ashtamudi, Kayamkulam, Kodungallur and Chetuva. The deltas of the rivers interlink the backwaters and provide excellent water transportation in the low lands of Kerala.

THE BACKWATER DESTINATIONS:

Kollam
Located 71 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, this historic coastline district known for its marine and cashew industries was one of the oldest ports on the Malabar coast and a major international trading point in day gone by.

The district also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate architectural style.

30% of this historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala. The eight hour trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest backwater cruise in Kerala. The District Tourism Promotion Council here offers a wide range of backwater tours and cruises.

Alappuzha
With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty.

Referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers from across the world, this backwater country is also home to diverse animal and bird life.

By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.

Today, Alappauzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year.

Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad.

Kuttanad:
Kuttanad, known as the rice bowl of Kerala because of her wealth of paddy crops, is the very heart of the backwater. The scenic countryside here is a rich crop of bananas, yams and cassava.

This 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
(1 ½ hours by motor boat/30 min. by speed boat from alappuzha): According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vemabanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below, thus creating the enchanting island of Pathiramanal (sands of midnight).

This little island on the backwater is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different part of the world. The island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat.