It is said that the Raja of Chempakasseri, Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan, built a temple at Ambalappuzha as suggested by the royal astrologers, but just before the installation of the deity (Lord Krishna) he was informed that the idol was not auspicious.
It was important to install a suitable idol immediately. Accordingly, the priests identified another idol of Lord Krishna, kept at the Karikulam temple in Kurichi. This idol was believed to have been given to Arjuna by Lord Krishna himself, and was therefore considered very sacred. After getting the idol from Karikulam temple, the Raja’s men set forth by boat for the return journey. While returning to Ambalappuzha, night set in, and, as instructed by the Raja, they took shelter at a Christian household, the home of Mappilassery Itty Thommen, in the village of Champakulam. Itty Thommen was a loyal subject and a confidant of the king.

Itty Thommen and his family received the men and the idol with great honour. The next day, the Raja and his entourage turned up at Mappilassery, accompanied by a huge mass of people. Pujas were offered to the deity and Itty Thommen and his men also travelled with the flotilla to Ambalapuzha where the idol was duly consecrated and installed with great fanfare. On the way, the people of Champakulam and adjoining areas, as well as the priests and laity of the Champakulam Kalloorkadu Church, honoured the Raja and the idol.

These events took place in 1545 A.D. The Raja, pleased with the love and affection shown to him by his Christian subjects, declared that henceforth, to commemorate these events, a great water carnival would be held at Champakulam every year, on Moolam day in the Malayalam month of Mithunam. Thus began the Champakulam Snake Boat Race and related functions, which continue to this day.

In 1613 A.D., sixty-three years after the idol was given shelter at Mappilassery, the old house was being demolished and a new one being built. Raja Devanarayanan’s successor heard the news and immediately sent word to Itty Thommen’s son, Kunhi Thommen that the area where the idol was kept, which was considered a devasthanam or sacred place, was to be specially demarcated and used only as a place of worship. Also, in keeping with Hindu practices, no menstruating women were to enter the room. A special lamp, made of rare metals, was given to the family, to be kept in this holy place, and perpetually burning, as an eternal flame. Special privileges were also conferred on the family, including the grant of lands and coconut groves to supply the oil for the lamp.

Even today, these practices continue. The lamp is kept perpetually burning. Every year priests and other delegates from the temple call at the house on Moolam day, with gifts and prasadam for the karanavar or head of the house. This ceremony is known as the Moolakazcha. It is believed that on Moolam Day, Lord Krishna resides not at the Temple, but at Mappilassery House! Reverentially, on unshod feet, the Temple delegates enter the prayer room, where along with Christian icons like the cross, and statues of Jesus and Mary, the lamp, known as the Vazhakoombu Vilakku is given a place of prominence. The temple representatives then venerate the lamp, and are treated by the family to a sumptuous feast. It is only after all these ceremonies, that the famous Champakulam Snake Boat Race commences.

Thus, for almost 500 years, this wonderful tradition, imbibing the best of Kerala’s fabled religious amity, has continued uninterrupted.

Tucked away at the southern tip of peninsular India, sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, is a piece of tropical paradise called Kerala. The National Geographic Traveler has listed it among the top ten must see destinations on earth. Kerala, as the cliche goes, is God’s own country; and Kumarakom is its sanctum sanctum.

Seemingly afloat on the placid waters of the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a quaint little hamlet of tiny islands about 85 kilometers from Cochin International Airport.

Kumarakom Lake Resort

Relish nature’s glory on wings with the world-famous sanctuary at Kumarakom.Taste a touch of rustic Kerala village life with the R-Block and Kainagiri, small islands on the Vembanad Lake. Witness farming of a different kind, farming below water level. Dip your toes in the warmth of the sand stretches of Pathiramanal.

Serene beauty of Kerala Backwaters is best enjoyed here. Take a pensive moment before the Buddha statue dating back to 300BC at Karumadikuttom or at the equally ancient St. Kuriakose Church. Masterstrokes of brilliant traditional architecture at the famous temples of Ambalappuzha or partake in the crafting of Kerala’s renowned “Snake Boats” at Chempakkulam. Or just be Fascinated with women expertly fishing with their mere bare hands. And the million other fascinations that Kerala is known for around the world.

The placid waters of the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a quaint little hamlet of tiny islands

Environment

Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with ‘Karimeen’ (Pearl Spotted Fish), shrimp (chemmeen in the local language) and prawns. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres (57,000 m²), and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government. It is a major tourist attraction.

Economy

Agriculture, fishing and tourism are the major economic activities. The place has expanses of mangrove forests, paddy fields and coconut groves. This rich agricultural environment is mainly irrigated using interspersed waterways and canals of the Meenachil river. Kumarakom’s perfectly balanced tropical climate is conducive to cultivation.

Tourism

There are several activities for visitors, depending on how much time, money and local language skills they have.The Bird Sanctuary can be visited by canoes, which can be arranged with local fishermen at the entrance to the sanctuary. A two-hour rowing canoe trip may cost about INR200-250, and is best undertaken in the evening or early morning to avoid the afternoon sun. House boats or speed boats can cover longer distances but cost more to hire.

Houseboat at Kumarakom Lake

Houseboats

Embark on a voyage of dreams in our exquisitely built houseboat. Surrender your senses to the pastoral beauty of Kumarakom, one of God’s own country’s renowned picture-book locales and be inspired by the timeless glory of the Vembanad Lake.

Experience the simple joys of life amidst the delicate embrace of mists, enhanced by the pleasant harmony of singing birds. Green stretches of paddy fields surround the rustic charm of tiny islands fringed with long rows of swaying coconut trees, as time seems to stand still while you drift along.

Strongly built as per every rule and norm of tradition, held together by coir ropes without a nail in sight, the houseboat redefines luxury with its shining wooden floors and luxurious amenities. Moreover, immerse in the amazing, never-ending, display of nature’s magical performances on the sundeck. Holiday with a difference.

With cool air-conditioning even in the dining-room, yet fully glass-fronted to offer the view in all its glory! Each houseboat has spacious rooms furnished in ethnic style that bespeaks higher levels of comfort.The elegant interiors are enhanced with impeccable luxury and every modern amenity at the tip of one’s finger.

South Indian Cuisine

Two experienced boatmen navigate you through tranquil stretches of Kerala’s favorite backwaters. A personal chef well-versed in tantalizing Kerala delicacies and seafood delights will be at your beck and call with choicest gourmet delights.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (also known as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary) is situated at Kumarakom in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala, on the banks of Vembanad Lake. Set in the Kerala Backwaters the bird sanctuary is an ornithologist’s paradise and a favorite haunt of migratory birds.

History

Developed in a rubber plantation as a bird sanctuary by an Englishman, the sanctuary was formerly known as Baker’s Estate.

A Resort at Kumarakom

Geography

The sanctuary is spread over 14 acres on the southern bank of the Kavanar River.It has well laid out paths for moving around within the sanctuary. Beyond the sanctuary one can take a boat ride in Vembanad Lake or along the Kavanar River.

Kumarakom is 14 km (8.7 mi) from Kottayam. State Highway No. 1 leads to Kochi and Thiruvanthapuram in opposite directions. Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery is 106 km (66 mi) from Kumarakom.

Neighbouring areas such as Kaipuzha Muttu, Pathirmanal, Narakathara, Thollairam Kayal, and Poothanpandi Kayal are also good locations for spotting birds.

Bird Watching

The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron, cormorant, moorhen, darter, Brahminy kite and the duck, as well as the migratory Siberian crane. Parrot, teal, lark, flycatcher, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons. Some of the migratory birds come from the Himalayas, and a few from far away Siberia.

Dawn is the ideal time for bird watching when the birds prepare to leave their forest homes and fly over the lake. An early morning trek, well before sunrise, is recommended for avid bird watchers.

The WWF-India organized a two-day bird watching programme in 2008 at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in connection with World Wetlands Day.Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, which owns the largest chain of hotels in Kerala, including a resort at Kumarakom, has plans to introduce guided bird watching trails and to open an interpretation center.

Nearby Attractions

There is a driftwood museum at Chakranpadi, Pathiramanal approachable by boat,and imaginary Ayemenem of Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things is set in the area.

Boats Anchored in a Resort

God of Small Things : Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things is set in Ayemenem or Aymanam village, which adjoins Kumarakom. The explosive success of this novel has given some added touristic impetus to this area. The Taj Garden Retreat hotel complex is centered around a building that is called “History House” in the novel; it was built by British missionary Alfred George Baker, whom the locals called “Kari Saipu” (possibly an elided form of “Baker Sahib”), as in the novel.

Four generations of Bakers lived in the house until 1962, speaking Malayalam, and even wearing the mundu. The Baker Memorial School, Kottayam, was started by a daughter of this family in 1925. The Baker family’s house is in ruins in the novel, as it was in reality before was developed into a hotel and has been restored by the Taj group.

The Ayemenem house, where Arundhati Roy spent part of her childhood (like the twins in the story), can also be visited in the village, which can be reached by boat along the Meenachil river that figures prominently in the story.

Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala with the unending stretch of paddy fields, small streams and canals with lush green coconut palms , was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age. History says Alappuzha had trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome in B.C and in the Middle Ages, as well as with other parts of India. Alappuzha has a lighthouse, which is a major tourist attraction.

Alleppey/ Alappuzha is the hub for backwater tourism in Kerala. House boats locally called “Kettuvallam” are available on hire on a daily basis as well as for longer duration to take visitors on the old waterways. These house boats in general have 2 bed rooms and attached bath rooms. Some of the boats have the bedrooms fitted with air conditioners. A routine trip includes food cooked on board in the traditional Kuttanad style. The leisurely cruises show a microcosm of life on the water side with breath taking views of the water, land, birds and human habitations. Alappuzha is a center for coir industries. The unique distinction of Alappuzha is that, it is the only district in Kerala without forest.

House boat Cruise in Vembanad Lake | Alappuzha

Washed by the silvery waves of the Arabian Sea, Alappuzha, the Venice of the East welcomes you to the backwaters of kerala. The Palm fringed canals and shores bustling with glimpses from the day to day life in the country side, the mirror still lagoons, picture book lakesides and its long sandy beach has blessed Alappuzha, the water locked district, to become one of the best Backwater tourism destinations in God’s Own Country.

The large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. Water carnivals using the gigantic snake boats and the country canoes of varying sizes have an important role in the community life of the people of the district.

The month of August holds the prime attraction to the civilians and the tourists as it is the time of the spectacular event -the Nehru Trophy Boat Race that is held on the second saturday of August every year. A cruise on an elegant House boat offers a rare chance to view the attractive dense palm groves that are so characteristic of Kerala’s landscape.

This district is also notable for its numerous pilgrimage centres that draw vast crowds on the festival days and also boasts of having some of the best ayurvedic rejuvenation centres in Kerala. This Venice of the East is also famous for its coir and carpet industries in addition to featuring many other attractions of tourist importance.

ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO

Alappuzha Light House

Alappuzha Lighthouse : The Alappuzha Lighthouse is situated in the coastal town of Alappuzha, Kerala. It was built in the year 1862 and is a major tourist attraction. Vistors are allowed between 1500 hours and 1630 hours on every weekday at an admission fee of ten rupees.

Alappuzha Beach : Alappuzha beach is one of the most popular spots in the district of Alappuzha. Its beautiful garden on the shore gives an exclusive sight. Imposing buildings of a colonial past overlook the shore. The pier, which extends into the sea is more than 140 years old and is a rare sight. Dense Palm groves at one end and an ancient towering light house at the other, Vijay Park and Sea view park are all spectacular sights one should never miss. Boating Facility is available in both Parks.

Facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park: Boating, a children’s park with toy train and bicycles. Open from 1500 – 2000 hours.

Back Water Cruise : View the landscape beauty , monuments, temples,churches and industries of Alappuzha by cruising through its rivers,canals and backwaters.The starting point is from Alleppey and the finishing point is at Jetty .

The backwaters act as a vital waterway for the transport of goods, people and their produce are often the only link between isolated villages and crowded towns. In Kerala, the total expanse of backwater stretches over 1500 kms, with a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from north to south. Alleppey which forms the main part of this network has the peculiar geographical feature of having the water in level with the land. This gives the advantage of getting a closer look at the village life on shore while on a backwater ride.

House Boat in Alappuzha

A glide in a “Kettuvallam” (House boat) through the enchanting backwaters of Alleppey is sure to rob your heart. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either sides of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. The Chinese fishing nets, the reminiscent of our past trade links, are also found on the way. Flocks of ducks swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this unique land.

The sparkling water and the caressing cool wind is a temptation too strong to resist. Country boats of various types crisscross the path with passengers from all walks of Kerala’s rural life ranging from milkman and newspaper boy to local politicians, priests and wedding parties. It is a unique experience as this is as close as one can get to feel the vibrant life in the countryside of god’s own country.

The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alleppey give one first hand experience of the life style; toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, Coir-making, prawn farming etc., which remains more or less unchanged over the years.

Luxury Sitout of a House boat

House Boats : A house boat is about 67 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle. The materials that go into the making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. The main wood used is “Anjili”. The house boats have fully furnished single and double rooms with sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet with WC. In addition there is also separate rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The crew includes a chef and two oarsmen.The cuisine is traditional Kerala flavour with the local specialities; delicious fish and prawns. There are single bedroom House boats for two people and two bedroom House boats for four people. Kettuvalloms or House boats (Riceboats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. With the advent of roads, bridges and ferry services, gradually the Kettuvalloms went off the scene. Now these kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist attraction. A ride on a Kettuvallom is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.

Palace on Water (Static House boat) : This static luxury House boat has two bedrooms which can accommodate four persons. There is a balcony on top quite convenient to get a feel of the panoramic nature around. A similar balcony is also there below. Another feature is the sundeck for sunbaths. Canoes are always connected to the static House boat which takes the visitors for backwater cruises.

Boatrace in Vembanad Lake

Boat Races : Alleppey is also known for its spectacular snake – boat races held on the second Saturday of August, every year. Snake boat races are the most significant traditional event in Alappuzha. These spectacular regattas are usually held between August and October, and involve long thin boats powered by up to 120 oarsmen. The most famous snake boat race is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. This competition – the Nehru boat race takes its name from India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who inaugurated in 1952. It is excitement all around as snake – boats , each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind. The event is a tremendous success with tourists and the local population alike.

Alappuzha district is proud of being the cradle of boat races. Other important boat races, namely the Payippad near Haripad, the Thiruvandoor, Neerettupuram, Karuvatta and Thaikkoottam boat races are held at different parts of the district during August-September . Thousands of people from all parts of the world come and witness these races.

Krishnapuram Palace : Located at a distance of 47 km from Alappuzha on the way to Kollam, this palace was built in the 18th century during the reign of Marthanda Varma. This palace is noted for its typical Kerala architecture, with gabled roof, dormer windows and narrow corridors. Here you will find the famous mural kept in the western end of the ground floor, called ‘Gajendra Moksham’ which is the largest mural in Kerala. There is also a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronze articles in the palace.

ALAPPUZHA BACK WATERS

Kuttanad Region : The region is known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala’. It is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done below sea level. The boat trip to Changanacherry passes through this beautiful and fertile region.

Mullakkal Rajeswari Temple : It is dedicated to the Goddess Rajarajeswari. The nine day ‘Navarathri’ festival is celebrated twice a year and is of special significance to the people of Alappuzha. Another important festival of the temple is ‘Thaipooyakavadi’.

A Hut at Pathiramanal

Pathiramanal : This is a small captivating island in the Vembanad Lake. Situated between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, this island is the favorite spot for hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world.

Ambalapuzha Temple : Constructed in the typical Kerala architectural style, this temple is famous all over India, and is renowned for the Palpayasam, the daily offering of sweet milk porridge. This temple witnesses the performance of Pallipana by Velans (sorcerers) once every twelve years. Paintings of the Dasavatharam (the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) are displayed on the inner walls of the temple. The ‘Ottanthullal’, a satiric art form based on social themes was the brain child of the poet Kunchan Nambiar who performed it for the first time in the premises of this temple.

Arthunkal Church : This christian Pilgrim centre near Sherthalai is 22 km. north of alappuzha. The St. Andrews Church here was built by Portuguese missionaries. The annual feast of St. Sebastian is held here in the month of January.

Champakulam : The water logged village is also the place of oldest angadi (market) known as Kalloorkkadu angadi. The St. Mary Forane Church built in 427 A D is another major attraction famous for its beautiful mural paintings for both tourists and believers. In Champakulam you can see Nadubhagum and Champakulam snake boats which take part in the annual snake boat races.

Champakulam Church : The St. Mary’s Church is one of the oldest church in Kerala. It is said to be one of the seven churches established by St.Thomas. Tha annual feast is held on the 3rd Sunday of October. The feast of St. Joseph is celebrated on March 19th.

Chavara Bhavan : The ancestral home of the blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara, lies 6 km. from Alappuzha. Thousands of devotees gather at this shrine. It can be reached only by boat from Alappuzha.

Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, Mavelikkara : The shrine is known for the Kettukazhcha festival, which attracts a large number of devotees. The festival is held in Feb./Mar. and colourful procession is taken out.

Edathua Church : This church, dedicated to St. George is of special significance as it is believed that prayers and offerings here help in healing all kinds of mental disorders and other ailments. The annual feast is held from 5th – 7th May and attracts devotees from all parts of south India. The Church is just 24 kms. from Alappuzha.

Karumadikkuttan : Situated 3 km east of Ambalapuzha, this village is known for its 10th century Karumadikkuttan statue, a black granite figure of the great Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. There are many interesting legends connected to this idol.

Mannarsala : It is 32 kms. from Alappuzha near Haripad and is famous for the ancient temple of Sree Nagaraja, the King of Serpents. Pilgrims from all over the country assemble here during the two day annual festival.

Q S T and R Block Kayal[Lake] : These regions are famous for farming over reclaimed land from the backwaters. The area is protected by dikes built all around and reminds visitors of the famous dikes of Netherlands. A cruise along the canals here is quite a memorable experience.

Punnapra : A short distance from Alappuzha is Punnapra, a village which has gone down in history as the scene of a bitter and heroic fighting between the communists and Travancore State Police during the Punnapra Vayalar Communist uprising of 1946.

Mararikkulam Beach

Mararikulam : Situated on the coast south of Alappuzha,12 Kms. from Alappuzha, it houses a quiet beach and has an adjoining fishing village. Pool, tennis, water sports and Ayurvedic treatments are the leisure time activities one can avail of.

Ambalapuzha : It is situated 14 kms. away from Alleppey. In its architectural features, the Sreekrishna Temple confirms the typical Kerala style. The temple is famous through out Kerala for ‘Palpayasam’ a milk porridge of exceptional sweetness offered to the deity.

Kerala has over 900 km of interconnected waterways, rivers, lakes and inlets that make up the Kerala backwaters. In the midst of this beautiful landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which are the starting and end points of backwater cruises.National Waterway No. 3 from Kollam to Kottapuram, covers a distance of 205 km and runs almost parallel to the coast line of southern Kerala facilitating both cargo movement and backwater tourism.

The backwaters have a unique ecosystem – freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. In certain areas, such as the Vembanad Kayal, where a barrage has been built near Kumarakom, salt water from the sea is prevented from entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes.

HouseBoat in the Backwaters

Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape.

Houseboat at Kumarakom

Vembanad Kayal is the largest of the lakes, covering an area of 200 km², and bordered by Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts. The port of Kochi (Cochin) is located at the lake’s outlet to the Arabian Sea. Alleppey, “Venice of the East”, has a large network of canals that meander through the town. Vembanad is India’s longest lake.

Connected by artificial canals, the backwaters form an economical means of transport, and a large local trade is carried on by inland navigation. Fishing, along with fish curing is an important industry.

Kerala backwaters have been used for centuries by the local people for transportation, fishing and agriculture. It has supported the efforts of the local people to earn a livelihood. In more recent times, agricultural efforts have been strengthened with reclamation of some backwater lands for rice growing, particularly in the Kuttanad area. Boat making has been a traditional craft, so has been the coir industry.

A Resort At Kumarakom

Paddy fields in the Kuttanad region are at a level lower than that of water in the canal. Kuttanad is crisscrossed with waterways that run alongside extensive paddy fields, as well as fields of cassava, banana and yam. A unique feature of Kuttanad is that many of these fields are below sea level and are surrounded by earthen embankments. The crops are grown on the low-lying ground and irrigated with fresh water from canal and waterways connected to Vembanad lake. The area is similar to the dikes of the Netherlands where land has been reclaimed from the sea and crops are grown.

Vembanad Kol Wetland and Ashtamudi Wetland were included in the list of wetlands of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands.

Kumarakom, which was a sleepy town for years, has been transformed into a busy tourist destination with plush resorts around the Vembanad Kayal and the backwaters.

Innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries, and the deltas of forty-four rivers make up the 900 km backwater network of Kerala. The backwaters mainly covers the four districts of the state – Kollam, Alleppey (Alappuzha), Kottayam and Kochi ( Cochin ).

Corridor of a Luxury Houseboat

The largest backwater body, the Vembanad lake flows through Alleppey (Alappuzha) and Kottayam districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi (Cochin) Port. The Ashtamudi Lake, the second largest backwater stretch, offers the longest ride and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.Your holiday home in this tranquil world is the comfortably furnished houseboat or Kettuvallom.

The Houseboats or Kettuvalloms of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 foot in length, retrieved from being lost to the State altogether.

Once these Rice Barges ruled the backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and other commodities. But in the recent times, the Kettuvalloms or houseboats have been replaced by more and modern modes of transport, relegating them to neglect and decay.It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct these giant Houseboats or Kettuvalloms.

Fully Furnished Luxury Sitouts

Traditionally, the Houseboats was called Kettuvallom, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Unbelievably it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a Kettuvallom. Jack wood planks are joined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashew nut shells.

There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were involved in Kettuvallom or houseboat construction. Today, an innovative holiday idea has restored these majestic representatives of a unique culture and with them their makers.The Kerala houseboats that cruise these emerald waterways are an improvisation on the large country barges which were an essential part of the land’s ethos in days gone by.

Bedroom of Luxury A/c Houseboat

Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying, the Kettuvalloms or houseboats are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one or two bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely Eco friendly, merging smoothly into the panorama. Every houseboat is manned by a crew – usually a cook, a Captain, and an Oarsman.

The kitchen in the houseboat or Kettuvallom is the production center of the best traditional Kerala food. The availability of fishes and all along the backwater add special charm to the authentic Kerala cooking.

Only fresh materials are used and purchased locally to support the economy of the village. Only authentic Kerala food is prepared under high standards of hygiene and professional competency by expert cooks, who have been specially trained.

Open lounge of Luxury A/c Houseboat

The highest classifications awarded by Dept. of Tourism for Houseboats are Gold Star and Silver Star. All the Houseboats dealt by us are either Silver Star or Gold Star.A normal Luxury A/c Houseboat includes the following facilities :

• Front living area and bedrooms have a beautiful wooden ceiling with overlapping logs to give it a contemporary feel.
• The wooden ceiling in the living/dining area has 200 fiber optic lighting points to emulate the stars during the night and gives a cozy feeling. The light intensity or ‘glow’ can be adjusted according to guest preferences.
• Additional lighting in the living area of the Luxury A/c Houseboat will be provided with terracotta lamps with candles to provide an ideal, romantic setting for the boat.
• The bedrooms of the Luxury A/c Houseboat have complete glass windows stretching across 3/4ths of the wall to offer the guests a complete and uninterrupted view of the backwaters while traveling.
• Each bed in the Luxury A/c Houseboat is located at the exact height of the window, so the guest gets a good view even while lying on the bed.
• Each room in the Luxury A/c Houseboat has a dressing mirror, luggage compartment, writing table, wardrobe, attached bathrooms and air-conditioning.
• Bathrooms in the Luxury A/c Kettuvalloms have a shower area with WC and wash basin and are one of the largest, if not the largest on any boat. All fittings are of high quality.
• The wall next to the WC has a large picture window that offers the guest an ample view of the backwaters, similar to the one in the bedroom and it also offers a feeling of space and ample natural lighting.
• The exterior walls, i.e. the textured finished walls in the dining/living area and pathway have niches incorporated in them. These niches have paintings that follow a theme on each Luxury A/c Houseboat.

• The kitchen, at the rear of the boat, is complete with a modern equipment and ambiance, even though it is for use for the staff only. A 165 Lt. fridge is also part of the equipment level. Even guests can use the kitchen facility for themselves if they so choose.
• Every toilet is equipped with shower areas and water heaters. Each room is Air-conditioned using proper split units & Lifesavers and safety jackets are available on board.
• On-board game activities include – Chess, Caroms, Scrabble, Playing cards etc. Fishing rods, painting and sketch pads, Library & High-End music system.

This interlinked body of waterways is known as the backwaters in Kerala. Over 900 Km of the Kerala backwaters are navigable and have been used for centuries by the local people for transportation.

You can travel on these waterways on a traditional houseboat and enjoy the scenic beauty of the backwaters in Kerala, while on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

The backwaters of Kerala have a unique ecosystem – freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea in the backwaters in Kerala.

Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mud skippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters in Kerala.

Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes grow alongside the Kerala backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape. You can see the amazing flora and fauna of the backwaters in Kerala, while on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

The fisher folk and people who live along the backwaters in Kerala have a unique relationship with the Kerala backwaters. The backwaters in Kerala are the source of the local people’s livelihood.

The fish caught from its waters, the paddy, coconut and other crops harvested along its banks, the boats they build and use to transport them across the labyrinthine backwaters in Kerala, are all an integral part of their traditional way of life.