The article is about Kuttanad backwaters, tourism in Kuttanad, Houseboats in Kuttanad, Snake Boat Races in Kuttanad, Hotels and resorts in Kuttanad,The Granary Riverside Inn etc
About Kuttanad Backwaters
If you are search of a green paradise in God's Own Country with full of paddy fields dancing with the western winds in the background of vast, serene and enchanting backwaters, then you can have a hearty visit to Kuttanad, The ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala'.
Kuttanad is also one of the tourist destinations in Kerala which is famous for its backwaters amidst of the green landscape and the blue sky. The interesting fact about Kuttanad fields is that it is lying below the sea level. Kuttanad is also an ideal destination for backwater trips which include the backwater cruise. The place is also interlinked with rivers, canals, lakes, lagoons etc. The backwaters of Kuttanad are spread over to 18 panchayats belonging to the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta.
Geography and Climate
Kuttanad is lying below the sea level and is rich with its paddy fields. Kuttanad is also geographically rich with the presence of rivers such as Pampa, Achankovil, Manimala and Meenachil and also the Vembanad Lake. The place is lying between the Arabian Sea and Western Ghats. Kuttanad is having a pleasant climate through out the year. It is having monsoon on the months of June-September and October-November
History of Kuttanad
If we peep through the history of Kuttanad, we can find that the place is depicted in the legendary epic Mahabharatha and there are many myths and beliefs associated with it. In the earlier times Kuttanad was known as Chuttanad or the burnt place. The name came from the belief that, in the earlier days the place was a dense forest and later it was destroyed by the forest fire. This incident was also depicted in the epic. Kuttanad was also an important place during the reign of Kerala Kings mainly the Cheras. Cheran Chengettuvan, a powerful king of Chera dynasty is said to ruled his kingdom as the headquater in Kuttanad.
Tourism in Kuttanad
Kuttanad is famous for its backwater trips. These include house boats, race boats, country boats, speed boats etc. The visitors are free to choose their tripping vehicle. These backwater trips immersed in the enchanting natural beauty Kuttanad will surely be an exotic experience in your life. Kuttanad is also known as the rice bowl of Kerala. This is because of its vast green lush paddy fields in the heart of the backwaters of Kuttanad. We can also see some plantations like banana. Kuttanad is also an ideal place to explore the innocence of typical Kerala rural life. Many tourists are approaching to the agrarian communities of Kuttanad to study their lifestyle and all. We can also see some beautiful temples and churches in the banks of these backwaters which is purely meant for pilgrimage. Monkomp temple and Chakkulathukavu church are some of the examples. There is also a statue of Lord Buddha in a village known as Karumadi which is also a famous tourist destination in Kuttanad. All this features of Kuttanad makes it a formidable place for the tourists.
Houseboats in Kuttanad
The backwater trip in the houseboats is an attracting feature in Kuttanad. The houseboats are generally large cargo boats used to carry goods, decorated architecturally to form a cruise. When these cruises are moving in the backwaters, it appears like architectural palace floating in the water body. The houseboats of kuttanad are locally known as ‘Kettuvallam'. At present, there are about 200 houseboats operating in Kuttanad backwaters.
It is a real splendor to have an enchanting houseboat journey through the serene backwaters of Kuttanad enjoying the authentic beauty of nature. Most importantly, these houseboats provide all facilities as in our home. Nowadays Air-conditioned houseboats are also available for the tourists for a reasonable rate. The facilities include bedroom, living room, open air sit out, kitchen, toilet etc. Those who wants to spend their holidays in a calm and serene atmosphere away from the noises of the city, this cruise will provide an ideal situation for them.
Another advantage of this boat trip is that, the visitors are able to absorb each and every moment in the life style of rural people Kerala. This ride will expose you an exact picture that reveals the culture of this rural people. So this is an ideal opportunity to study, understand and intermingle with the traditions of Kerala rural life style.
The local delicacies available in these houseboats provide a creaming feeling to our taste buds. These foods are rich with Kerala spices and traditional Kerala items. Karimeen (spotted fish) fry, Crab fry, Prawn fry, Karimeen curry, crab curries are some of the fresh Kerala dishes available. Describing about these extraordinary dishes is quite unexpressive. So you yourself should have it and feel the taste.
Snake Boat Race in Kuttanad
Kuttanad is also famous for its thrilling water sports which mainly include the Snake boat race. These races are generally held in the months of July, August and September. There are almost 25 boat races will be held every year in Kuttanad backwaters. The boats participating in this race is locally known as ‘chundan' which have a peculiar appearance. The specialty of this race is that the racers in each ‘chundan' will vary from 100 to 150 persons. Most of these races are held during the festival ‘Onam'. So the tourists who are interested to see this mega event in the backwaters of Kuttanad are requested to visit here during the Onam season.
How to Reach Kuttanad
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport - about 85 km from Kuttanad
Nearest Railway Station: Aleppey Railway Station
Hotels and Resorts in Kuttanad
There are many hotels in Kuttanad which provide all the facilities for the tourists. One of the leading hotel in Kuttanad is The Granary Riverside Inn.
The Granary Riverside Inn
This is a famous resort in Kuttanad situated in the banks of Pampa River. The resort provides a comfortable accommodation for the tourists. Rooms starting from very cheap to luxurious are available in this resort. The rent varies according to the facilities you have selected. The facilities here include lawns, swimming pools, air conditioning, conference hall etc. Paying guest options are also available here.
Tour Packages available in The Granary Riverside Inn
1. Honeymoon Package is known as 'Kudumbam'
2. Package for Granary Resort is known as 'Nattukoottam'
3. Package for Granary Heritage is known as 'Grama Vedhi'
4. Package for Granary Heritage & Granary Resort is known as 'Grama Sabha
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