Alleppey Back Waters: The thrilling world of Nature

 

           This is Alleppey of Kerala. The picturesque world of backwaters. The confluence of rivers, lakes and the sea. Network of canals. Water everywhere for miles. Somewhere still water and somewhere bustling. Mystery and thrill of nature every moment. Open blue sky and cool breeze. The melodies of birds and aquatic life. Lush green islands in the middle of water. A unique experience of peace. Beautiful coconut orchards. Big palm trees. Small and big fishes swimming near the islands. The aquatic world of houseboats in water. Small villages settled on the banks. This was such a world of aquatic life, which was getting absorbed in my mind. The thrill of backwaters had mesmerized me. I was speechless. But, overwhelmed by the performance of nature in the lap of the earth. I wonder how much do we know about this world? Perhaps not even equal to an atom. In the world of mysteries, we ourselves appear as a mystery.

 Alappuzha's changing weather

        This morning I reached Alappuzha ( Alleppey) from Ernakulam by Jan Shatabdi. The distance from Ernakulam to Alappuzha is about 50 kms. Here, there was a provision to stay at the Dutch House. It is about three kms from the railway station. The Dutch House reminds us of the time when the Dutch and Portuguese ruled Malabar. The caretaker here had made good arrangements. There was complete freedom to sit, read or spend time anywhere in the entire complex. There was a rich library here. I stayed for a while and then set out towards Alappuzha city on foot. The torrential rain changed the mood of the weather. When I had come, the sun was shining brightly. It was humid. The cool breeze along with the rain made everything pleasant. This keeps happening here during monsoon. In a while we were in the city - at Arya Hotel. Lunch was here. Dilkhush food prepared in the traditional style of Kerala and with the best spices. The rain had become light. From here I had to go towards the backwater. It was about three kms away. We passed through the main market of Alappuzha. Alappuzha is a small and old city. Modern life is rarely seen here. The roads are good. The traffic is organized. People are straightforward. They are helpful. They guide well. There are showrooms, but not very big ones.

An overwhelming and thrilling journey

        It was around 2 pm. It was drizzling. We had reached the starting point of the backwaters. Here we met Bashir. He manages both luxury houseboats and Shikaras. I had to travel on the backwaters by Shikara. For about four hours. And, our journey on water began. Passing through the canals, we reached a vast area of ​​still water, where luxury houseboats, steamers and small boats floating on the water could be seen coming and going everywhere. Houseboats one better than the other. Here I also remembered the time spent in a houseboat in Dal Lake in Srinagar. We had spent two days there. In comparison to that, the journey on the houseboat in Alleppey is completely different. There, mountains are seen around the lake and greenery is all around. Looking at the lush green paddy fields, well-shaped rice barges and rural life settled on the banks was one of my most mesmerizing and beautiful experiences. Here the monsoon filled nature with mystery and adventure.

Interflow of the river, lake and sea

        Amidst the picturesque world of nature, we were watching boats floating on the water around us. The sky above was changing its colour. Vishwanathan, who was steering our boat, was our guide, who had now become a friend. He was at one end of the boat and we were at the other. I was not interested in travelling sitting in the boat. Travelling while standing at the end of the boat is quite risky. But, this is where the thrill lies. Vishwanathan had given us courage and encouragement. When the boat was rocking in the deep water, it definitely gave us a shiver. This was the place where the river, lake and sea meet. These happy and thrilling moments of today were being recorded in my diary of memories. And, at that time, I remembered Pandit Jaishankar Prasad's immortal work "Kamayani". This is a unique poem in the context of the origin of life. Through the dialogue between Manu, Shraddha and Ida, Pandit ji seems to be telling the story of man. The world of literature is such that it connects us to ourselves in many ways. Humming songs and poems, we were now at a small restaurant on the waterfront. This was a good place for tea and snacks after a long journey on the water. It was here that a Keralite had brought his eagle. He first made it sit on our shoulder and then on our hand. This was our first meeting with the bird in the form of friendship.

Boat passing through forests and villages

        From here we started towards the villages near the back waters. Women and children were out for work with their Shikaras (boats). At some places, small beautiful bridges were also built to cross from one side to the other. This was somewhat like the city of Venice in Italy. Venice is prosperous but there is a tough struggle for prosperity here. Much is yet to happen here. Our boat was moving from the villages towards the dense forests. We were engulfed in the ecstasy of deep peace. Truly, this was a miraculous world of my dreams. My soul was delighted. Today we were witness to this rule that we become like the person with whom we connect deeply. Our environment, our surroundings make us like ourselves. In every phase of life, first our surroundings change, then our life changes. A happy life knocks at the door of happiness. And, a life full of sadness and despair leaves the footprints of despair even in our happy life. In many ways, it is very difficult for me to describe in words the unforgettable journey to Alleppey. Because, it is an experience. Nonetheless, Alleppey Backwaters is an unforgettable destination for anyone seeking peace and adventure. A must visit. Everyone can be refreshed by the serene waterways and lush greenery here. Whether you are travelling alone or with family or your loved one, Alleppey Backwaters offers something for everyone.

Historical Background

The backwaters of Alleppey have been an integral part of Kerala's history and culture for centuries. These waterways were historically used for trade and transportation, connecting remote villages and towns. Traditional houseboats, which were originally used to transport rice and spices, have now been converted into luxurious floating hotels.

Cultural Significance

The backwaters are deeply intertwined with the culture and traditions of Kerala. The local communities have developed a unique lifestyle centered around these waterways. The annual snake boat race held during the festival of Onam is a testimony to the cultural significance of the backwaters. These races not only showcase the competitive spirit of the locals but also reflect their deep connection to their heritage.

Environmental Significance

The backwaters form a unique ecosystem that supports a diverse range of flora and fauna. The wetlands and mangrove forests play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region. These backwaters are also important habitats for a wide variety of fish and birds, including migratory species that visit the area each year.

Fact File

**** The Kerala Backwaters is a network of brackish lagoons and canals lying parallel to the Arabian Sea off the Malabar coast in southwestern India. It also includes interconnected lakes, rivers and inlets, a labyrinthine system formed by more than 900 km of waterways. It is sometimes compared to a bay.

**** The network includes five large lakes, connected by canals. These are both man-made and natural, fed by 38 rivers. They stretch along about half the length of the state of Kerala. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and coastal currents that create low barrier islands at the mouths of many of the rivers flowing down the Western Ghats range. A number of towns and cities dot the landscape, the remaining 7 being inland navigational routes.

**** The backwaters have a unique ecosystem. Freshwater from the rivers mixes with seawater from the Arabian Sea. A barrage has been built near Thanneermukkom. It prevents salt water from the sea from seeping deep inside, thereby retaining fresh water in the rivers. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation.

**** Several unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and around the backwaters. Palm trees, pandanus bushes, various leafy plants and shrubs grow along the backwaters, imparting a green colour to the surrounding landscape.

**** The National Waterway from Kollam to Kottappuram covers a distance of 127 miles. It runs almost parallel to the coastline of southern Kerala, facilitating both the movement of goods and backwater tourism. Vembanad is the largest of the lakes, covering an area of ​​2,033 sq km. The lake has a large network of canals that pass through the region of Kuttanad.

**** Important rivers from north to south are Valapattanam 110 km, Chaliyar 169 km, Kadalundippuzha 130 km, Bharatappuzha 209 km, Chalakudy 130 km, Periyar 244 km, Pamba 176 km, Achankovil 128 km, Meenachil 75 km and Kalladiyar 121 km. Apart from these, 35 more small rivers and streams flow downstream from the Ghats. Most of these rivers are navigable up to the central region of the country.

**** Vembanad Lake is the longest backwater in Kerala, as well as the longest lake in India. Kochi city, Kuttanad, Kumarakom and Pathiramanal islands are located in this long backwater. Vellayani Lake, Pookode Lake and Sasthamkotta Lake are freshwater lakes in Kerala. Sasthamkotta is the largest of them. The Kerala backwaters host three of the world's Ramsar Convention-listed wetlands:. Ashtamudi Lake, Sasthamkotta Lake and the Vembanad-Kol Wetlands are known as wetlands of international importance. 

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