Kerala Houseboats – Heavenly Affairs In Backwaters

By Author: Rajesh Raj
Total Articles: 103
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Kerala is a region endowed with a beauty that is magical. The blessings of nature on this land are galore. The sobriquet, “God’s own country” does not appear farfetched. With its attractions like virgin beaches, mist veiled hill stations, winding backwaters, enchanting wilds, verdant landscape and spectacular art forms, Kerala shines as a prime tourism destination.
Out of all attractions, Backwaters is the phenomenon unique to Kerala. Similar occurrence is nowhere else in the world to be found. Backwater is the complex network formed by canals and inlets which are both manmade and natural, branches of rivers and lakes. Backwaters make for exquisite landscape with shores adorned by attractive monuments, rustic abodes, swaying coconut trees, emerald flora and lush green paddy fields, fishing nets and various activities of life; and backwaters embellished with water flowers especially water lilies. The fame of this elegant setting has spread far and wide and Kerala Backwater tours are a hot item in global tourism parlance.
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... About nine hundred kilometers of waterways known as backwaters are navigable and they were used as transportation media by local people. They also depended on backwaters for means of sustenance like fishing and agriculture. Thus backwaters had significance in Kerala economy. Now also backwaters are playing a strong economic role by contributing substantially through tourism.
Alleppey, Kochi, Kollam and Kumarakom are the epicenters of backwater tourism for now. Surely more competition are to be ensued. Cruises through backwaters are the main items and of the various ways, Houseboats are the most popular way of cruising.
Houseboats are modeled on erstwhile “Kettuvallams”. Houseboat Kerala is constructed in such a way that the luxury demands of modern day tourists are not compromised and traditional design and milieu are kept intact. Kettuvallams once upon a time reined backwaters. These extra large barges with heavy carrying capacity meandering majestically through the backwaters rowed by one or two men with bamboo poles were a sight to behold. They were used to transport rice, coconut and other essential goods from the isolated backwater villages to towns like Alleppey, Kochi and Kollam. But with the advent of modern amenities like bridges, roads and ferries, they slowly faded out of use. Now tourism has given a new lease of life to Kettuvallams, as they are reincarnated as houseboats which carry excited tourists on luxurious cruises through backwaters. Kettuvallams had thatched roofs over wooden hulls to offer protection from elements of nature. Although the form remains largely unaltered, houseboats are two to three storied affairs with one to five bedrooms included. Apart from bedrooms, dining space and sit out open on all sides are allotted. From this sit out tourists can savor the exquisite beauty of backwaters.
The houseboats in houseboat packages Kerala are adjoined with generators providing for air conditioning. A crew including a cook accompanies guests. The menu is usually indigenous variety with local fish included. Houseboats are run in a meandering pace though motorized letting guests drink the charm of backwaters fully.
Kumarakom is a small village blessed with all the bounties of a backwater village. Kumarakom also homes a bird sanctuary frequented by migratory birds including Siberian Crane. While cruising on Kumarakom houseboats you can enjoy the exquisite landscape and music from this sanctuary as bonus.
Spending a night in houseboats docked in backwaters is a heavenly affair.
Rajesh Raj is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tours related topics. He has authored many books on Alleppey Houseboat & Kumarakom Houseboat. Find more information related to Kerala backwater houseboats log on http://www.keralabackwaterhouseboats.com