Alappuzha Backwaters

Alappuzha Backwaters [previously named Alleppey] is popularly referred to as 'Venice of the East', owing to its picture-perfect waterways and canals. It is a popular tourism destination. Whether it is their first journey, or a return trip, travelers continue to frequent the tranquil backwaters.

The month of August is the best time to visit Alappuzha. The region plays host to water regattas featuring snake boats and country canoes of varying sizes. Alappuzha Backwaters is renowned for the annual Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race held on the second Saturday of August. Large racing boats called 'Kali-Vallangal', propelled by over 100 rowers, compete for the trophy instituted by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minster of India. Another significant race is the Payipad Boat Race, which takes place over three days. It commences from the 'Onam' festival day. There is a snake boat parade during the first two days while the contest takes place on the third day.

A singular characteristic of Alappuzha is a region called Kuttanad. The deltaic formation of four rivers converging into the Vembanad Lake, Kuttanad lies 0.6 to 2.2 m below mean sea level. The area is characterized by vast stretches of backwaters and rice fields, the latter by and large reclaimed from the lake during the recent past. Kuttanad is known as 'the rice bowl of Kerala' owing to the wealth of paddy crops. Though the economy of the region is dependent on rice (the only crop that can be raised in lowland areas), it is supported by coconut groves and inland fisheries as well. Kuttanad is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done below sea level!

A trip to Alappuzha is incomplete without a visit to the island of Pathiramanal. (The name 'Pathiramanal' means 'sands of night'). According to mythology, a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening religious rites and the water made way for land to rise from below, thus creating the island. All the lush, green area makes Pathiramanal one of the best regions for bird watching. There are hundreds of rare migratory birds at the island.

Unfortunately, even paradise has its share of teeming crowds. However, Alappuzha provides the perfect antidote for tourist schlock - a sail aboard a Kettuvallam. The palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and tiny villages fringing the backwaters seem straight out of a travel magazine