The Best Reasons to Visit India - The Kerala Backwaters

Nestled along the Arabian coast, strewn with palms on both sides, the beguiling backwaters of Kerala truly evoke the image of a Paradise on Earth. True to the nickname of the state as God's own country, the backwaters are in fact, one-of-its-kind found in India, an unsurpassable natural wonder that can only be juxtaposed with the amazing American Bayou. The meandering labyrinth of brackish lagoons and canals, in actuality embrace a series of five lakes whose source is found in the midst of as many as 38 rivers and envelope almost half of Kerala's total area. Tucked amidst the numerous creeks and crevices of these backwaters lie the cities and towns of the state, forming some of the most frequented and alluring tourist destinations in the country.

Kerala Backwaters Ecosystem

The backwaters present an extraordinary, unique ecosystem that is a blend of both the sea and the river aquatic life, lapped as they are in between the rivers on one hand and the Arabian Sea on the other. A sip of the waters reveal a peculiar taste with the saltwater of the sea mingling with the fresh sweet water of the rivers. Some parts are preserved only for irrigation by raising up barrages to restrict the sea water from blending with that of the rivers. The backwaters are replete with flora and fauna being home to animals such as frogs, crabs, turtles, otters and mudskippers, while the shores are adorned with pandanus shrubs, bushes and palm trees lending them a luscious look.

Backwaters in the midst of Different Towns

On your trip to the backwaters of India, you are sure to be mesmerized by the picturesque spectacles that each of the towns and cities embracing the lagoons unfolds in its sway. Be it the Gateway to the Backwaters in Kollam, or those lying on the Vembanad lake in Kochi, the Veli Lagoon of Thiruvananthapuram or the unfathomed arenas of water in Kozhikode, the backwaters simply present a bewitching picture.

A visit to the Alappuzha backwaters, also nicknamed "the Venice of the East" unveils Mother Nature's beauty and bounty to the core. The luscious lakes winds along the long gamut of green shores for miles on end, while the soothing serenity engulfing every aspect of the atmosphere. Equally enthralling are the backwaters of Kumarakom that encompass an exotic amalgam of islands lying on the Vembanad lake. Staggeringly stunning are the camaraderie of lush mangrove forests and coconut groves, fringed by the paddy fields exuding hues of emerald in all its charm and beauty, a scene that you witness from the lap of the backwaters.

Touring the Backwaters- Houseboats

What can be a more enigmatic experience than exploring the captivating communion of the scarlet sky, the beautiful backwaters, and the embellished forests from the cradle of a houseboat? The watercrafts that used to run on the backwaters were constructed by artisans of great dexterity for use in transporting wares along the lagoons and lakes.

Today, touring the 900 kilometers of backwaters stretching along myriad towns has become one of the most popular tourist ventures in India. Apart from beholding the spectacular views of the coconut lined banks, splashed by the blue waters and kissed by the sky, the houseboats endow the tourists perfect accommodations on their holiday spree. Houseboats come in various sizes from cozy one bedroom ones just apt for honeymoon couples to grand four bedroom boats to accommodate families.