Kerala Backwater Tours

Kerala backwaters play a predominant role in the industry of Kerala tourism. Kerala is overwhelming with the natural beauties thus a famous travel destination all through out the year. Kerala backwaters can be said as the best blessing of nature. The backwaters shores are the famous picnic spot for enchanters. Kerala backwaters have a wide network of exquisite channels, lakes, deltas and lagoons of near about 44 rivers in the Arab sea. The only means of the transportation to these backwaters is houseboat.

Kerala has more than 900 km-interlinked waterways, rivers, lakes, and inlets that comprise of Kerala backwaters. The Kerala backwater tour includes a cool unfolding of all historic and modern town and the natural gateways of Kerala. The lake Vembanad is the largest backwaters of Kerala stretches about 83 kms. The backwaters of Kerala are the lines between the interior ground and the sea. To explore the beauty of backwaters the visitors are suggested to take a rented boat that will move in a standard speed.

Major backwater Regions

Kuttanad : Kuttanad a popular Kerala backwater spot also known as “Rice Bowl of Kerala” is categorized by its green landscape. Kuttanad is crisscrossed waterway that runs with the bright green fields of paddy, the fields of cassava, yam and banana. The attracting feature of Kuttanad backwaters is that many of these meadows lays below the sea level.

Kollam : Kollam is placed just 70 km from Kerala’s Capital Triruvananthapuram. It is a majestic harbor on the Shore of Ashtamudi Lake. This enthusiastic journey from Kollam to Alappuzha needs a minimum of eight hours. Kollam is popular among the travelers as the "Gateway to Kerala’s Backwaters".

Vembanad Lake : Vembanad Lake of Kerala is one of the largest freshwater lakes of Asia. It is a huge reservoir and a prime ecological resource wrapped by dense green vegetation. Vembanad Lake is a fascinating holiday destination offers its visitors a wild opportunity of boating and fishing.

Alleppey (Alappuzha) : Alleppey or Alappuzha is better known as the “Venice of the East” for its outstanding waterways and canals. Actually the earlier name of Alappuzha was Alleppey, popular for organizing Nehru Trophy Snake Boat every year.

Triruvananthapuram : Triruvananthapuram the latest name of Trivandrum is the capital of Kerala. The visitors are lured with the historic and modern attractions of Triruvananthapuram with Kerala Backwaters. This spot can also be said as the starting dot of Kerala Backwaters destinations.

Kumarakom : Kumarakom is a renowned Backwater destination of Kerala placed in the majestic Vembanad Lake. The refection of blue backwater of Kumarakom and the surface of Vembanad Lake is enchanting and able to garb thousands of tourist attention every month. Kumarakom is the perfect vacation spot needs a calm exploration while unfolding Kerala Backwaters.

Kottayam : Kottayam is a fascinating Backwater purpose of Kerala affluent with all the sightseeing of churches and temples. Kottayam is wrapped with some innate beauties of nature. Where the visitors will be amazed to see the scenery enfolded around Kottayam on his tour to Kerala Backwater. The tourist of Kottayam Backwaters has also some other remains to grab as the ruins of old palaces made by the ruler of Kottayam.

Best seasons to visit : The most favorable time to unfold the Kerala Backwaters is from October to March. The visitors can also make their calm exploration to Kerala Backwaters in any time of the year.

Shop in the nearby areas : The carved wooden elephant souvenirs, assorted handicrafts as bell metal goods, coir goods, sandalwood brass, conch case, painting and masks are worth buying stuffs of Kerala. The visitors of Kerala Backwaters normally get back to home with a plentiful memorable stuff with an everlasting experience.

Best Packages for Backwater Tours

Madurai Tourist Places!

Sri Meenakshi - Sundareswarar Temple

Visiting Hours : 5am - 12.30pm to 4pm - 9.30pm

The Meenakshi Temple complex is literally a city - one of the largest of its kind in India and undoubtedly one of the oldest too. The temple grew with the contribution of each dynasty and victorious monarchs, into an enormous complex extending over an area of 65000 Sq m. The temple first came in to being 2000 years ago and was substantially expanded during the regime of Thirumalai Nayak(1623-55 AD).

Lord Siva in his incarnation as Sundareswarar and his fish-eyed spouse, Meenakshi, are enshrined in this twin temple. There are four massive gateways enclosing these two shrines. Even a casual visitor is fascinated by the many paintings and sculptures.

A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure know as “Ayiramkaal Mandapam” or the Hall of Thousand Pillars and each pillar features high, ornate, bold sculptures that look life like. View from any angle these pillars appear to be in a straight line, an architectural masterpiece indeed In the outermost corridors are situated the matchless musical pillars carved out of stones. When it is tapped, each pillar produces different musical note.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace

Visiting Hours : 9am - 1pm to 2pm - 5pm
Entrance Fee : Rs.1/- About 1.5 Kms from the Meenakshi temple, this palace was built in 1636 by the ruler whose name it bears. The imposing edifice is famous for the “Stuccowork” on its domes and impressive arches. The Sorgavilasam (Celestial Pavilion), measuring 75m x 52m, constructed entirely of brick and mortar without the support of a single rafter or girder, is a marvel of indo-Saracenic architectural style. Among other striking features of the palace are the massive white pillars, several of which line the corridor that runs along the courtyard. Connected by high decorated arches, these pillars measure 20m in height and have a circumference of 4m. Elsewhere, there are polished black stone pillars of varying heights. It was King Thirumalai Nayak’s grandson who demolished much of the fine structure and removed most of the jewels and woodcarvings in order to build his own palace in Tiruchirapalli. (His dream never came true).

Thanks to Lord Napier, the then Governor of Madras, who partially restored the palace in 1866-72, and the subsequent restoration works carried out several years ago, today, we get to see the Entrance Gate, The Main Hall and the Dance Hall. There’s daily sound and light show in English at 1845 hrs and in Tamil at 2015 hrs. This half an hour show extols the virtues of King Thirumalai, particularly his passion for arts, his victories in battle and his love for his subjects.

Tickets for the show: Adults Rs.10/-- Children Rs.5/-

Gandhi Museum

Visiting Hours : 10am - 1pm to 2pm - 5.30pm

Housed in the old Palace of Rani Mangammal, the Gandhi Museum depicts the highlights of the freedom struggle and contains a picture gallery of the Gandhian movement. Also can be seen are a gallery of relics, Khadi and village industries section and South Indian Handicrafts section.

Mariamman Teppakulam

Mariamman Teppakulam is a beautiful square tank spread over a huge area of almost 16 acres, located about 5Kms East of Meenakshi Temple. The tank is the scene of the colourful float festival held in January/February to celebrate the birth anniversary of King Thirumalai Nayak, who built this tank. The deities of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are placed in a float, called “Teppam”, decorated with flowers and illuminated with hundred of lights. This float is taken around the tank to the sound of traditional music. On the Northern side of the tank a temple is dedicated to Mariamman , a famous village deity of Tamil Nadu.

Visit : South Indian Tourist Places