Kerala
is a land gifted with meandering backwaters.
Backwaters are large inland lakes (both fresh and
salt water) and ocean inlets which stretch
irregularly along the coast of the state. They are
an attractive and valuable feature of Kerala. The
biggest backwater is the Vembanad Lake (about 200
sq. km in area), which opens out into the Arabian
sea at Cochin port. Some other major backwaters, are
Veli, Kadhinamkulam, Anjengo, Edava, Nadayara,
Paravoor, Ashtamudi … The rivers interlink with the
backwaters. Together they provide an excellent means
of transport on slow moving rice boats called
Kettuvallam. Backwaters are special for its scenic,
unspoilt beauty and the charming, slow pace of life
along its banks. |