Kerala backwaters is the most popular tourist attraction of Kerala. Backawaters are formed by the accumulation of sea water at the beach. As the waves moved to and fro, they made their way tearing the ground and forming backwaters. The backwaters are essentially inland lakes connected by a network of canals. The best way to enjoy the Kerala backwaters is to take a cruise on a Kettuvallam or the house boat.

Kerala wears a vast necklace of rivulets, canals, lagoons and lakes, the cluster of which is called the backwaters, forming a beautiful and economically viable feature of the state. In the whole of the country, the backwaters are excusive to the state of Kerala and found nowhere else. 44 west flowing rivers of the state form a backbone to the criss crossing network, lending a peculiar landscape and impacting the local lifestyle. The state’s unique water highway stretches across its length, from one end to the other.

The backwaters have turned out to be a boon for the tourism industry, offering heavenly houseboat cruises to the visitors, reaping significant revenue for the sector. The backwaters form a gateway for the tourists to get a first hand feel of the unhurried pace of life in the remote hamlets. Scenes from the rural life unfold as one witnesses the locals engaged in boat building, prawn breeding, rice farming, duck rearing, sand mining, coir making, basket weaving etc – all of which form refreshingly fascinating sights, far removed from the madding crowd, for any urban visitor.   

Thousands of tourists from all over the globe seek to soak themselves in the delightful ‘nature experiences’ of the countryside, unanimously vouching that “it’s one of a kind ambience” and “an experience of a lifetime”. No wonder the state is rated as one of the top ten tourist destinations and a must see hotspot in Asia.

The state’s blue-green meandering backwaters are one among its best natural resources and a ‘numero uno’ tourist attraction.  

The delightful south; almost untouched by invasions throughout its history, the Indian heritage is more intact here than in other regions of the country. This is a land of temples, a land of the devout where new wonders await - the profusion of orange flowers, the shade of the banyan tree, and the soft beat of distant drums as yet another festival starts.

It's an intricate network of innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine waterworld is navigable. The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad lake which flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi port.  Cruising along the backwaters of Kerala is an ideal way to discover the real Kerala. The placid backwaters that stretch for over fifteen hundred kilometers are covered with swinging palm trees.

The lagoons offer a spectacular view of the rural landscape fringed by coconut groves, mangrove forests, hutments and rural folk engaged in their traditional occupations, water flora and bird life. The whole atmosphere reflects Kerala in its pristine glory. Tourists especially like to flock towards this land during the southwest monsoon season when exciting houseboat tour packages are available and one can feel the joy of the rain sitting in the warm cosy interiors. Kerala Tourism Department comes out with special monsoon packages each year to suit the convenience and budget of various categories of travelers. Monsoon melas featuring music, dance and food fairs are also held for entertainment.

Pathiramanal 

The mainland Alappuzha has a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers criss crossing it and is a district of immense natural beauty. Pathiramanal is a small island located on the border of Kottayam - Alappuzha Districts in Kerala, India. It is a small island on the backwaters of Alappuzha, is a haven for hundreds of rare birds migrating from different parts of the world.

Apart from the beautiful lake shore of the Vembanadu Lake the small island Pathiramanal is the main tourist sport in muhamma. Pathiramanal is an island in the Vembanadu Lake. It is an eco friendly tourist center. It is accessable by boat from Alappuzha. Kayippuram jetty is just about 2km east of the Kayippuram junction on the Alappuzha - Thannirmukkam road.

This is an exquisite piece of land just a few kilometers off Alappuzha. A trip to the place would be your chance to observe several exotic species of birds that fly in from far and wide. 

This little Island on the backwaters is a birdwatcher's delight. Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi and the Kayamkulam Lake. Pathiramanal is accessible only by boat. The scenic beauty of both sides of the lake as well as that of the island is mind blowing.

A Tour to Pathiramanal is the perfect way to spend your holiday amidst the emerald green backwaters and the lush green coconut trees .Apart from the beautiful lake shore of the Vembanadu Lake the small island Pathiramanal is the main tourist sport in muhamma - Alleppey. 

It is an Eco friendly tourist center. Pathiramanal has a mythological significance attached to its creation. According to myths a young Brahmin dived into Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below. The name 'Pathiramanal' means 'Sands of night'. 

Pathiramanal Island is also known as Ananthapadmanabhan Thoppu. It was purchased by Chevalier ACM Anthraper, from M/s Bheemji Devji Trust of Cochin and was under the private ownership until the late seventies. In 1979 after Land Reforms Acts were enforced in the State, the property came under government ownership. 

The island was returned to the government as a surplus land that crossed the land ceiling. It was later transferred to the Tourism Department and the idea of leasing it out to private enterprises was under consideration. The island at present is uninhabited. Till late seventies of the 20th century 14 worker families resided in the island, who were later rehabilitated on the mainland in the Muhamma panchayath.

The green island thus forms an ideal place for a break in the journey while on a backwater cruise. The Island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kummarakom, A trip to the place would be your chance to observe several exotic species of birds that fly in from far and wide.

This little island Pathiramanal is away from all the bustling city life and it is an ideal place to take a break. Pathiramanal is also home to a wealth of indigenous birds such as common teal, parrots, night heron, cormorant, Indian Shag, purple heron, gulls, large egrets, stork-billed kingfisher, whistling duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose and Monarch Flycatcher among others

Enjoy Your Backwater Tourism in Kerala......

Alappuzha Hotels, Resorts - Kerala, India

Kumarakom Hotels, Resorts - Kerala, India

Kollam Hotels, Resorts - Kerala, India