Imagine this: the boat skilfully steers the canoe as it slides down the river. Water crystals dance in the air with each oar pull. Occasionally, a light spray hits your face – invigorating and refreshing. Palm trees line the shores on both sides, peeking through the early morning fog.
A few meters away from the boat, the cormorant rushes into the water. A few minutes later, he gracefully erupts to the surface, and the mullet flutters between his beak with a hook.
In a place known as God’s own country, time has forgotten the untouched backwaters. Kerala differs from the frenetic pace of life in the rest of the country. And no visit here is complete without experiencing large backwaters.
Sometimes compared to the Gulf of America, the backwaters are a 900 km long labyrinthine system of rivers, canals and lakes dotted with numerous large and tiny islands. They were created by the action of waves and coastal currents at the mouth of 44 rivers that flow from the western jetties into the Arabian Sea. Here you will experience the unique ecosystem of flora, fauna and coexistence of people. symbiotic dance that goes back a thousand years.
Each of the 34 lakes in these backwaters is a focal point for naturalists, ornithologists and amateur bird lovers. An abundance of crabs, frogs and mudflies, waterfowl such as terns, watercres, arrows and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles are abundant.
Mangroves bordering the eastern shores of Lake Vembanad, the largest lake in southern India, are home to various endemic and exotic species of birds. Ashtamudi Lake Osmokrako is the second longest lake in Kerala and hides several endangered marine species. The best time to experience bird and aquatic life is here between November and February.
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While you will be delighted with the natural beauty of Kerala, you will be enchanted by the cultural heritage of the state. Experience all-night ancient dance rituals like Theyam and Kathakali. Visit some of the ancient churches, temples and mosques near the banks of the river, in the middle of coconut forests and rice fields.
The banks of the rivers are dotted with floating markets. Here, the sellers of traditional earthen pots and coconut fiber ropes fight for space along with rice cultivators and spice merchants, as they have done for centuries.
These waterways formed an essential part of social interactions in Kerala. Here, skiff is a favorite mode of transportation for both people and goods, and children learn to swim before they learn to read.
This region is also home to some of the best shipbuilders in the world. The practice has not changed much for centuries, and craftsmen still make boats without a single nail.
If this is the excitement you crave, join the racing of snake boats, the tradition in the Kerala centuries. Snake boats are over a hundred feet long, with a rear end that rises over 20 feet above the water, like a cobra with a raised hood. Vallam Kali or boat races used to be the way kings handled disputes. These boat races are held every year from July to November through backwaters. With 90 to 110 rowers, snake boat races are the biggest team sport in the world. The largest of them is held on the second Saturday in August in Lake Punnada near Alappuzha.
Any trip to Kerala is not complete without a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage. This treatment is over 5000 years old and continues in modern Kerala. You will find spas and holiday centers next to the backwaters where your stress and worries will dissipate like an early morning mist on the river, under the skilled hands of a certified practitioner.
Choose to spend your vacation floating on a boat. They offer a luxurious way to experience life in perfect harmony with nature. Or choose one of the many private accommodations and eco resorts that are interspersed with the length of the sleeves of Kerala. Better yet, try a combination of both! In any case, try the authentic Kerala kitchen. Traditional Kerala breakfast is considered one of the best meals India has to offer.
Traveling to the great backwaters of Kerala is a journey into the past – a piece of nature that has not changed much over the centuries. And thanks to the dedication of Kerala to responsible tourism with sustainable practices, these ecosystems continue to thrive while enabling tourists to meet nature at its best.
The edges of Kerala lure you to an experience that will last a lifetime.
Cover photo: Photo by Nature photographer he unsplash
