KUTTANAD BACKWATERS
Known As: The Rice Bowl Of Kerala
Main Feature: Kumarakom
Unique Feature: Farming Done Below Sea Level
Kuttanad
is an expanse of water-logged land lying below sea level. It bears strong
resemblance to Holland in terms of geographical features.
Three rivers, namely Pampa, Manimala and Achankovil, criss cross the
length and breadth of Kuttanad. Until a few years back, water was the main
mode of transportation, though today buses and trains ply in the region.
However, so unique is the landscape that a boat trip is irresistible, not
only for tourists but natives as well. Kuttanad, known as the 'rice bowl
of Kerala' because of her wealth of paddy crops, is the very heart of the
backwaters. The scenic countryside here is a rich crop of Bananas, Yams
and Casava. 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.
The 75 kilometre long sparkling network of rivers, canals, lakes, lagoons
and tiny streamlets between Quilon and
Cochin and
beyond to
Thiruvananthapuram,
of which the Kuttanad (backwaters) consist are akin to a tropical land of
canals.
On the shores of the enchanting
Vembanad
lake, 14 kms from
Kottayam,
lies Kumarakom in its small town .....hush, redolent of restful peace.
Kumarakom: The Picturesque Backwaters of
Kerala
Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous
Vembanad
Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad ('granary' of Kerala). The
Vembanad Lake with its majestic canals, streams and tributaries along its
banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. 
The gorgeous green of the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and
blend into wavelets A boat ride in the countryside offers a close look
into an engaging rustic life. Skilled-fishermen launching their cockshell
boats.
Large flotillas of ducks waddling down to the water from thatched houses
on the banks. Women, neck-deep in water, with their waist-length hair
heaped in a crown, searching for fish with their feet.
And aimless cattle grazing in lush pastureland, where white lotuses lie
here and there in small, low-lying pools.
Best Time To Visit
The time when one can enjoy the enchanting backwaters is from December
through March. A visit around January15 provides the chance to see the
Boat
Race at Alleppey on January 19 and the Great Elephant March Jan 17
to 20.
Second Saturday of August is
Nehru
Trophy Snakeboat Race.
