The Venice of the East

The endless panorama of greenery intertwined by sapphire backwaters, and a delightful rustic life makes Alappuzha a favourite holiday destination. The intricate network of canals that snake their way through the vast expanse of paddy fields, give Alappuzha the sobriquet of Venice of the East. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Alappuzha is an important backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousand foreign tourists each year. The district is famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a popular event on the backwaters of Kerala. The race is held on the second Saturday of August every year. Magnificent snakeboats compete for the prized trophy instituted by Jawaharlal Nehru. Apart from the races of chundanvalloms (snake boats) and various smaller classes of country crafts, the event offers many fascinating sights such as ceremonial water processions, spectacular floats and decorated boats.

The houseboats of Kerala have become one of the most exciting tourism products in India. These huge barges, traditionally used to cargo goods, are called Kettuvalloms and measure up to 80 feet in length. They are constructed with great skill and meticulousness by tying huge planks of jackwood together without a single nail and coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. Today, as the name suggests, houseboats have furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, living rooms, kitchenettes, and even balconies for angling. Sections of the curved wooden roof or plaited palm leaves open outwards, providing shade and allowing an uninterrupted view of the backwater country. The houseboats are either poled by local oarsmen or powered by engines. All of them have a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and a guide. Gliding along the calm and serene backwaters flanked by green palmgroves, watching rural Kerala go by, is a unique experience for any visitor. If you cherish the idea of spending time amidst the sights and sounds of Kerala, then step into a country boat and wind through the labyrinth of canals in Alappuzha.

At Alappuzha, one can easily find boats according to one's requirement, be it small country boats to luxury houseboats; and small speedboats to big passenger motorboats. Small boats are preferred for cruising through the canals. Once you have the transport ready, all one needs to do is pick one of the canal systems in and around Alappuzha for your cruise.

As part of the cruise, one would also be able to drop in at some villages to check out the techniques and procedures involved in coir making. Also, if interested, one may try any of the wayside eateries serving ethnic food, especially the fish delicacies, and also toddy- a popular natural beverage produced from coconut juice.

So get set for a memorable cruise through the canals of Alappuzha. Because this could just be the beginning of subsequent cruises on the canals and backwaters of Kerala.