When you are looking for an escape from your daily life and routine—the best location is one that is the embodiment of serenity and peace.
One of the best places to silence your mind and appreciate nature’s timeless beauty is the embracing warmth of Kerala’s backwaters. Kerala’s tropical climate bathes the landscape in warm climates, but the state also experiences high rainfall during its annual monsoon season.
What does this mean? It means that Kerala, lovingly called “God’s Own Country,” is home to many large pockets of calm and still lakes that serve as attractive tourist destinations.
The Vembanad Lake is one of the largest backwater bodies in India. Sprawling across the districts of Alleppey, Kottayam and Ernakulam, these waters cover an impressive radius.
The lake is also the perfect spot for freshwater fishing, house boating, and lethargic boat rides—which is why it is so popular among tourists from all over the globe.
What makes these backwaters so majestic is not just the stillness and calm—it is also the rich cultural tapestry that is weaved around the lake, seeping gracefully into the local stories and traditions of the surrounding villages.
Teeming with aquatic flora and fauna, the lake is also famous for its countless fishing spots—where you can witness traditional fishing techniques in action. The cuisine around the lake is famous for its inherent seafood varieties, which are prepared from the freshest fish in Kerala.
One of the more popular backwaters of Kerala, Kuttanad, is one of the most peaceful backwaters in Kottayam.
The terrain of Kuttanad is sprawled with shimmering waterways that include rivers, lakes, canals and creeks—surrounded by the towering canopies of tropical fauna. The scenery of Kuttanad is majestic and quiet, contributing to its allure as an escape from the stress of daily life.
Kumarakom is a small peninsula that feeds into the Vembanad Lake, which is a mainstay for the surrounding locals. Covered in palm trees and natural vegetation, Kumarakom is a timeless biome that holds the secrets to Kottayam’s large biodiversity.
The lagoons and canals of Kumarakom are filled with countless rafts and canoes that shuttle back and forth between the narrow shorelines—some are ferries for curious travellers, while others haul in fresh fish that make up a large portion of the cuisine in the area.
Cherai is a unique aspect of Kerala’s lush landscape. This destination blends the aesthetic of the laid-back beach with the stillness and calm of Kerala’s unique backwaters.
Cherai is the perfect place to fish for rare delicacies like lobster and crab—which are abundant in the area. If you are looking to lounge on the beach during the day and row across the palm-fringed backwaters at sunrise or sunset—Cherai is where you need to be.
The backwaters are a testament to Kerala’s scenic beauty. To explore it fully, there are plenty of activities to do in and around the still waters. The most popular activities are as follows:
The backwaters of Kerala are teeming with aquatic life. Many of the locals live off the backwaters, fishing and selling their catches to make a living. Tourists visiting villages on the backwaters have a unique opportunity to taste and sample some of the finest and freshest local cuisines, prepared with fresh fish straight out of nearby fishing holes.
Take a trip back in time on the backwaters with a lazy canoe ride. There are many small canals and waterways within the expansive backwaters of Kerala. You can hire a traditional canoe to take you around on the backwaters as the breezes roll in as the sun sets on the horizon—that will be a picturesque moment that you will cherish forever.
Another great way to experience the ambience and serenity of the backwaters is atop the lofty comfort of Kerala’s majestic houseboats.
You can ride atop Kerala’s backwaters in these large houseboats that are fully equipped with bedrooms, bathrooms and on-call chefs and staff. Enjoy the warm glow of Kerala’s sunsets in the lap of luxury—that’s what these houseboats are all about.
Check out our online collection of houseboat-inspired memorabilia, such as the miniature Kerala houseboat or the Kerala houseboat ceramic mug.
The backwaters of Kerala wouldn’t be complete without the vibrant atmosphere of the toddy shops. Toddy shops, also known as Shaaps, have always been a mainstay at the shorelines of Kerala’s backwaters.
Offering delicious seafood dishes at reasonable prices, paired with the tangy taste of toddy extracted from fresh coconut trees, the ambience of these shops is a main attraction to any tourist who dreams of attaining the complete backwater experience.
The toddy shop experience exemplifies the best of traditional Keralian food preparation and pastimes without encroaching on modern aesthetics. If you are looking for the authentic food and lakeside conversations-you can find both at any backwater toddy shop.
MemoryTrain is your one-stop-shop for all your backwater souvenirs. So take home our floating shaap as a token of your time spent in Kerala’s enchanting backwaters.
Around the monsoon season, the Kerala backwaters host a series of celebratory boat races.
A large number of spectators gather around to watch Kerala’s signature snake boats go head to head in fast-paced competitions. Old boat songs echo from the snake boats as they keep rhythm to row to the finish line.
These snake boats, also known as “Chundan Vallam,” can be up to 100 feet long. Throughout the year, Kerala holds many distinct and energetic boat races and festivals. The most notable boat races are as follows:
To commemorate these staples of Kerala tradition, we have included a collectible known as the Snake Boat Race - Resin Bookend. Show off your love for Kerala culture with this conversation piece.
Being an inherent aspect of the state’s sprawling landscape and culture, the Kerala backwaters are featured earnestly at the forefront of many festivals. Water is an essential element that forms part of the rituals and traditions of festivals like:
You can read more about the Famous Festivals of Kerala on our website to learn more!
The Winter season (Sept to Feb) is considered one of the best times to visit the backwaters of Kerala. The climate in Kerala is ideal during this time—making it the perfect backdrop for scenic views.
The Summer season (Mar to May) is humid and hot in Kerala—with an occasional rain that does little to quench the heat. It is not ideal to visit Kerala during this period. If you are visiting the backwaters during the summer, we recommend you rent out an AC houseboat so that you can coast through the still waters in style.
The Monsoon Season (Jun to Sept) is an aesthetic season in the tropics. The greenery of the state deepens, and the backwaters overflow with fresh water, making it the perfect waterscape for cultural entertainment, such as the snake boat races.
Kerala backwaters are sprawling with countless stories of serenity and tradition. The warm glow of the sun shimmers across the surface of the freshwater lakes in Kerala, leaving you with cosy and scenic memories that will last a lifetime.
At MemoryTrain, we commemorate the timeless serenity of the Kerala Backwaters. Our expanding collection has a variety of conversation pieces that will serve as everlasting tokens for your memories in “God’s Own Country.”
If you are looking to commemorate your time in Kerala—find your perfect souvenir in our online collection. Shop now or contact us to know more.
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