Exploring the Enchanting Backwaters of Kerala

Pic from Indian Holiday

The backwaters of Kerala are a unique geographical formation where seawater gets collected close to the beach due to the to-and-fro motion of waves. These backwaters not only create freshwater lakes but also form low barrier islands, enhancing the natural beauty of the region. These tranquil waters have minimal currents, making them safe and ideal for various activities.

Formation and Significance

Kerala's backwaters, locally known as Kayals, are a network of 1,500 km of canals, both natural and manmade, supported by 38 rivers and 5 large lakes. The backwaters are parallel to the coast of the Arabian Sea and are among Kerala's top tourist attractions. They provide a serene and picturesque experience unique to this part of the world.

Flora and Fauna

The land surrounding these backwaters is rich in biodiversity. The lush greenery, combined with the diverse flora and fauna, makes it a haven for nature lovers. The backwaters serve as a vital habitat for various aquatic species and support the livelihood of local communities.

Tourism and Activities

1. Houseboat Cruises: One of the most popular ways to experience the backwaters is through houseboat cruises. These cruises offer a luxurious and peaceful way to explore the canals, lagoons, and lakes. Houseboats come with all modern amenities and a crew to assist travelers, making them a safe option even for solo travelers.

2. Snake Boat Races: The annual Snake Boat Race, held between June and September, is a major attraction. These traditional boat races draw large crowds and add a festive atmosphere to the backwaters.

3. Fishing and Agriculture: The backwaters are crucial for local trades such as fishing and fish curing. Agriculture thrives in this region due to the fertile land surrounding the backwaters.

4. Eco-friendly Transport: Backwaters provide an economical means of transportation and are easier to navigate than land routes, facilitating local trade and movement.

Popular Backwater Destinations

1. Alleppey Backwaters: Known as the "Venice of the East," Alleppey is famous for its network of canals and houseboat cruises.

2. Kozhikode Backwaters: Offers scenic views and a peaceful environment, perfect for a tranquil getaway.

3. Kuttanad Backwaters: Known as the "Rice Bowl of Kerala," this region is famous for its lush paddy fields and unique farming practices.

4. Ashtamudi Backwaters: A vast and scenic backwater area known for its luxury houseboat cruises and rich biodiversity.

5. Thrissur Backwaters: Famous for its serene landscapes and traditional Kerala culture.

6. Kavvayi Backwater: A lesser-known but equally beautiful backwater destination offering a tranquil retreat.

7. Padanna Backwaters: A perfect spot for eco-tourism and experiencing local fishing activities.

8. Sasthamkotta Backwaters: The largest freshwater lake in Kerala, surrounded by lush greenery and rich wildlife.

Conclusion

The backwaters of Kerala are a unique and captivating aspect of India's natural beauty. They offer a blend of serene landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural experiences. Whether it's cruising on a houseboat, enjoying the vibrant Snake Boat races, or exploring the local flora and fauna, the backwaters provide a myriad of opportunities for travelers to immerse themselves in the tranquil and picturesque environment.

Image Credit: Indian Holiday

Keywords: Kerala backwaters, houseboat cruises, Snake Boat race, Alleppey backwaters, Kuttanad backwaters, Ashtamudi backwaters, eco-friendly transport, Mughlai cuisine, historical sites in Uttar Pradesh

Niranjanam Rental Cottage, Palakkad, Kerala

 The city of Palakkad in the State of Kerala is quite famous for many ancient Hindu temples in the region. Hence, religious tourism is quite a big feature in visiting the place. On top of that, the region is lush green with natural beauty. 

Niranjanam Rental Cottage is a two-storeyed homestay that provides a very homely, calm and pleasing stay in its 5 double rooms with all 3 star hotel like facilities and comforts. Yet the ambience is just like home with good and tasty homemade 100 % vegetarian meals. The decor is tasteful and elegant and the colour scheme bright and cheerful. 

Additionally they have started a unique opportunity that includes a Chartered Temple Tour for its guests for a minimum stay of 4 days where the top 18 temples will be covered with their history, importance and worship rituals explained. No wonder the place has a google review rating of 4.9 

Here are a few more details about the place.

 

Number of Rooms - 5 

Tariff - ₹ 2000 / Double Room

Extra Guest - ₹ 600 each

Mode of Payment - Cash / Online 

Mode of Booking - via email and / or whatsapp

Uniqueness - Rental Homes with pure vegetarian meals for religious pilgrims visiting the many ancient and important temples in the region

Nearest Railway Station - Palakkad Junction at a distance of 4 kms ( Approximately )

Facilities and Amenities

Double rooms with AC in each 

Free Parking 

Vegetarian Meals 

Tea / Coffee

Toiletries 

Hot Water 

En - Suite 

Separate Dining Area 

Room Service 

Laundry 

Free Wi-Fi

Contact Person - Sivaram Sundar

Contact Number - +91 9962851499

Email Address - homeinnathithi@gmail.com

Address -

Niranjanam, 

P.V.R Nagar, 

23, 23/48

Pallipuram, 

Palakkad, 

Kerala 678006, 

India

A few places to visit in Palakkad include

Sri Ramaswamy Temple, Karimpuzha

Kalpathy Heritage Temple Complex

Kava Reservoir View Point 

Sree Chinmaya Guruvayurappan Temple

Thiruvalathur Randu Moorthy Temple

Malampuzha Dam

Malampuzha Snake Park 

Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir

Images - Via Whatsapp 

Thrissur, Kerala's Cultural Capital

 Formed on July 1,1949 the city of Thrissur dons innumerable hats. It being not only the cultural capital of the state of Kerala, but also a gold capital having the flagship stores of all the leading gold jewelry houses, textiles hub, real estate hub, cultural center, pilgrimage site, center for healthcare for central Kerala, ayurvedic drug manufacturing hub, financial and banking hub having the headquarters of major banks, spiritual capital with some of the oldest temples, mosques and churches, various sports clubs and a couple of football stadiums, home to many national and international body building stars and also the chess prodigy, Nihal Sarin. 

Thrissur, anglicized named Trichur, historical name being Thrissivaperoor has a rich and varied historical and political importance. Often popularly referred to as The land of Poorams due to the celebration of Thrissur Pooram, a 36 hours long festival held at the temple Vadakkunnathan  Temple of Lord Shiva in the Malayalam month of Medam ( mid April to mid May as per Gregorian calendar ) it is again a unique destination being the most visited in Kerala by the domestic tourists for the many pilgrimage places and various fairs and festivals held here.

Vadakkunnathan Temple, being the first temple built by Lord Parasurama and the first among the 108 Lord Shiva temples in Kerala. No wonder the place has so much historical and cultural heritage not only for the Hindu religion but also for the Christians and the Muslims.

Asia's tallest church Our Lady of Dolours Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica and the first and oldest mosque in the country Cheraman Juma Mosque are located here.

Apart from the man made edifices, the city is endowed with natural beauty with beaches, hillocks, forests and waterfalls aplenty. In terms of food, it offers much variety in both vegetarian and non vegetarian fare that includes traditional dishes ranging from Appam, Puttu, Kadalakkari, Idiyappam, veg and non veg stew to cooked rice of Choru, curries, buttermilk, Vellayappams to name a few.

Here are more details for the visitor to plan a trip to this must-visit town on a trip down south to the state of Kerala

How to reach 

1. By Roadways - KSRTC runs various buses all connecting the place with other cities all over the State 

2. By Railways - Thrissur Railway Station is one of the most connected with places all over the Stats and the Country 

3. By Airways - Cochin International Airport, at a distance of 50 kms

Places, Events And Festivals To Visit include the following -

1. Shivratri

2. Onam

3. Eid

4. Diwali

5. Easter

6. Christmas

7. Vadakkunnathan Temple

8. Our Lady of Dolours Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica 

9. Cheraman Juma Mosque

10. Aanayoottu, the world's largest elephant feeding festival

11. Chettiyangadi Hanafi Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Kerala

12. Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple, being the largest in the country

13. Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple, one of the largest ones in the country

14. Buon Natale, Christmas celebration

15. Puli Kali ( Karakali ) held on the festival of Onam

    
    
    

A visit to Thrissur  brings joy not only to the physicalnsenses with natural and architectural beauty and cuisine that satisfies the palate but also to the soul which overflows with emotion and worship for the supreme in the temples and rituals that seem to be as old as time itself.

Pictures from - 

Wikipedia 

www.keralatravels.com

www.keralatourism.org

Discover Alleppey: The Venice of the East and Kerala’s Backwater Paradise

Explore Alleppey, Kerala's hub of backwaters, known for its houseboat cruises, scenic beauty, and cultural attractions. Plan your visit to the cleanest town in India, rich in history and natural wonders.

Alleppey, Kerala backwaters, Venice of the East, houseboat cruises, Alleppey tourism, Alappuzha attractions

• H1: Discover Alleppey: The Venice of the East and Kerala’s Backwater Paradise
• H2: A Glimpse into Alleppey's Rich Heritage
• H2: How to Reach Alleppey
  • H3: By Road
  • H3: By Railways
  • H3: By Airways
  • H3: By Waterways
• H2: Top Attractions in Alleppey
• H2: Best Time to Visit Alleppey
• H2: Accommodation Options in Alleppey
• H2: Exciting Activities to Experience in Alleppey

Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, is the hub of Kerala’s stunning backwaters. Proclaimed as the "Venice of the East" by Lord Curzon, Alleppey is one of the oldest planned cities in India. In 2016, it was named the cleanest town in the country by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

A Glimpse into Alleppey's Rich Heritage

Teeming with hundreds of canals, lagoons, lakes, and the backwaters, Alleppey is a popular tourist destination. The backwaters run parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, and their unparalleled natural beauty attracts millions of visitors each year.

Tourists flock to Alleppey for its houseboat cruises, which range from budget-friendly options to luxurious vessels with air-conditioned bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens for cooking local seafood. The tourism infrastructure here is designed to provide every luxury imaginable amid the serene beauty of nature.

How to Reach Alleppey

By Road

• National Highways: NH 47 and NH 66 connect Panvel to Kanyakumari, passing through the city.
• State Highways: Eight state highways connect Alleppey to the rest of Kerala and the country.

By Railways

• Ernakulam - Kayamkulam Coastal Railway Line: This line connects Alleppey Railway Station to major cities such as Amritsar, Bangalore, Bokaro, Coimbatore, Cochin, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Kollam, Mangalore, Mumbai, and Trivandrum.

By Airways

• Cochin International Airport: 78 km away
• Thiruvananthapuram Airport: 159 km away
• Calicut Airport: 236 km away

By Waterways

• SWTD Boat Jetty: Connects Alleppey to Chengannur, Changanassery, Kochi, Kollam, Kumarakom, and Kottayam.

Top Attractions in Alleppey

• Alleppey Lighthouse and Museum
• Backwater Cruises
• Houseboat Cruises
• 137-Year-Old Pier
• Alleppey Beach
• Marine Products and Seafood
• Vembanad Lake: The largest lake in India
• Snake Boat Races: Including the prestigious Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Best Time to Visit Alleppey

• Winter Months: From October to February, the weather is ideal for visiting Alleppey.

Accommodation Options in Alleppey

• Houseboats
• Village Homestays
• Budget Hotels
• High-End Resorts and Hotels

Exciting Activities to Experience in Alleppey

• Cycling, Trekking, and Walking along Marari Beach and the Backwaters
• River Rafting
• Beach Combing
• Watching Scenic Sunsets
• Photography
• Climbing the 105 Steps of the Lighthouse
• Visiting the Alleppey Museum
• One-Day Town Tours
• Ferry Rides to Nearby Places
• Houseboat Cruises
• Ocean View Meals
• Village Home Lunches: Including non-veg, veg, and fresh seafood options
• Drinking Toddy (Coconut-Rum)
• Cooking Seafood in Guest House and Houseboat Kitchens
• Leisurely Walks to Village Markets and Centers
• Adventure Sports: Kayaking, Canoeing, Camping, Boating
• Ayurvedic Treatments for various ailments
• Authentic Kerala Massages for relaxation and rejuvenation

Picture Sources: Wikipedia, Kerala Tourism (keralatourism.org)