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The most beautiful and popular part of the backwaters, the Vembanad Lake spans several districts in Kerala. The longest lake in india and the largest in Kerala, the Vembanad Lake is approximately 14 km wide at its broadest point. The total area drained by the lake is 15,770 sq. km, which accounts for 40% of the area of Kerala. Fed by 10 rivers including the six major rivers of central Kerala namely Achenkovil, Manimala, Meenachil, Muvattupuzha, Pamba and Periyar, it boasts of a rich bio-diversity.
Home to more than 20,000 waterfowls the third largest such population in india, the Vembanad wetland System is included in the lists of wetlands of international importance, as defined by Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of wetlands in 2002.
So called because of its 8 arms or channels, Ashtamudi Lake is the gateway to the backwaters. This 16 km long lake is the second largest in Kerala , with numerous navigable canals and rivers interconnecting almost all the regions of south Kerala . The Ashtamudi is also home to several endangered marine species.
Spread across the districts of Kollam and Alappuzha, the Kayamkulam Lake covers an area of 60 sq. km and merges with the sea at the Kayamkulam barrage. The lake used to be connected to the sea most of the time except during the dry season when a bar like formation separated it from the sea. Now the bar has been opened up permanently for the construction of the Kayamkulam Fishing Harbour.
The longest river and the one with the largest discharge potential in Kerala, Periyar is one of the few perennial rivers in the region. The Marthandavarama branch of the Periyar flows southwards, before draining in to the Vembanad backwaters at Varapuzha.
The Pamba originates in the western Ghats at an altitude of 1650 meters and flows through Ranni, Kozhenchery , Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanad, Karthikapally, Ambalappuzha taluks and finally empties in to the Vembanad Lake. Kuttanad an important rice cultivating area in Kerala gets water for irrigation from Pamba.
The Kallada River is one of two major rivers that flow through the Kollam district. It travels for 121 km , flowing through Punalur, Pathanapuram, Kunnathur and Kallada before ending at Ashtamudi Lake. The Chalikkari River also joins Kallada a little downstream and the two flow westward, before falling in to the Ashtamudi Lake.
The name Kumarakom is said to be derived from the words kuminja and akam referring to a land formed by the accumulation of sediments . The island created by the deposition of mud and other materials through natural and man-made methods is one of the world’s most favourite tourist spots.
Home to a wide variety of flora and fauna , Kumarakom is noted for its bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds flock to every year.
Pathiramanal or Island of Midnight Sand is known as a place where the King of Kochi traditionally made a night halt on his journey to South Kerala . The 19.6 hectares of land supposedly surfaced from the lake after an earthquake, though locals say it was formed when a devout Brahmin Sree Narayan Gurudev , dived in to perform his ritual evening bath and like Moses at the Red Sea, the waters of the Vembanad Parted.
Bolgatty Island is just a boat ride away from the Kochi harbour mouth. The island is famous for the ancient Bolgatty Palace built by a Dutch trader in the year 1744 which holds the distinction of being the oldest Dutch palace outside Holland
The Great Backwater has a rich aquatic life. Vembanad Lake, for instances is home to about 150 species of fish. The estuarine nature of the lake, with its rich sediment deposits makes it a good habitat for shrimp. Mullets, catfish and pearl fish are also seen in abundance. The backwaters also has more than 70 edible species, which include shrimp, mullets , pearls spots, crabs, oysters, clam , milkfish, scampi,catfish etc.
A detailed survey along the entire costal stretch of Kerala revealed 39 species of mangrove flora and associates from 10 backwater ecosystems of Kerala.
The mangroves that border the eastern banks of the Vembanad Lake harbour a variety of endemic and exotic species of birds, which make the region a hotspot for naturalists and ornithologists. The mangroves, though not rich in species diversity, provide a rich habitat for migratory birds.
The Ashtamudi estuary has 43 species of marshy and mangrove varieties including Syzygium travancoricum trees a critically endangered species on the IUCN Red List.
The numerous freshwater and brackish lakes and waterlogged paddy fields that form part of the Great Backwaters are some of Kerala’s major birding habitats. Kumarakom for instance, is the abode of birds like Kingfishers, Cormorants, Waterhens, Egrets, Herons, Bitterns, Terns and Shikaras. The Pathiramanal Island is home to about 90 species of birds and 30 species of butterflies. The backwaters between the island and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is favourite haunt of migratory birds from Siberia and Europe.
The cuisine of the Great Backwaters is distinct in terms of aromas, colours and flavours and and has been influenced by Kerala’s ancient trade ties.
Pearl Spot (Karimeen) enjoys pride of place in the backwater cuisine of Kerala. This famous local delicacy is made by marinating the fish in a mixture of red chilies, pepper,turmeric etc. after which it is deep fried until crisp and golden brown. Best enjoyed with steamed tapioca, Karimeen is easily available in the many quaint eateries that dot the backwaters.
Fish moilee in coconut milk , prawn and scampi preparations , duck roast and curry , and Kerala fish curry with Kudampuli(gambogee) are other backwater specialities.
The backwaters is also the best place to enjoy Kerala’s renowned breakfast spread , lauded by Travel and Leisure as one of the best in the world. This includes puttu , kadala curry , appam , chicken stew, idiappam and vegetable stew , to mention a few.
At the backwaters, life exists in perfect harmony with nature. Watch life unfold as you glide past palm trees, thatched houses temples, mosques and churches. Children swim. Boats glide along. Millions of ducks float by . Birds hover. Cows roam. Dragon flies dance. Lilies bloom. Welcome to a fascinating, endless magic maze brimming with experiences that last a lifetime.
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