Rediff On The NeT Travel: A travel feature on excursions to make in the backwaters in Kerala, India


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Although Quilon, Kottayam and Alleppey are towns considered to be gateways to the backwaters, these towns

have nothing spectacular to offer in terms of sightseeing. But the tiny villages and townships that dot the lagoons are often more characterful places to visit. These trips can be made by boat and some only by road.

Aranmula: Thirty kilometres out of Kottayam, by road. The village has an ancient Parthasarathy temple.

Vallikkavu: An ashram of Ma Math. Ten kilometres out of Quilon located on the backwaters on a strip between a river and the sea. Darshan on Sunday and Thursday. Take a ferry from Quilon.

Champakulam: To see the longest snake boat. Take a ferry from Quilon.

Karumady Kuttan: For the 11th century statue of Buddha. Take a ferry from Quilon.

Karunagapalli: The centre of kettu vallam or houseboat building

Thrikkunnapuzha: To see a coir processing village. Take a ferry from Quilon

Guhanandapuram or Kurepuzha: Scenic boat trips across Ashtamudi Lake. Take ferry from Quilon

Mannarsala: Located on the road from Quilon to Alleppey. Famous for the Nagaraja temple in the forest that houses 30,000 images of snake gods.

Ettumanur: Only in February or March to witness the festival of the Mahadeva temple there. On the eighth or tenth day elephants carved from kilos and kilos are gold are displayed. Celebration and music. Twelve kilometres north of Kottayam.

Kayamkulam: Address of atmospheric dilapidated Kerala palace, Krishnapuram Palace. Closed Mondays. North of Quilon.

Champakulam St Mary's Forane Church: An old Syrian Christian church. The church is two hundred years old but the place has been the site of a Christian shrine since 427 AD. Famous for its wood statues. Nice tranquil. Not too far from Alleppey.

Kaviyur: Eighth century rock-cut caves and a Shiva temple; equidistant from Quilon or Kottayam and five kilometres from Thiruvalla.

Chengannur: For the famous Mahadeva Temple. Five hours by ferry out of Alleppey.

Cheria Palli and Vallia Palli Churches at Kottayam: Two interesting Syrian churches, one furlong apart and five kilometres away from the centre of the town. Each nearly 500 years old. The cross at Vellia Palli is said to be the oldest Christian artefact in India.

Tangasseri, Quilon: An old British outpost. No great shakes.

Varkala: Famous for its 2000 year old Janardhana Swamy Temple, natural springs, and ashram. There's a great beach too. And the former palace of the king of Travancore, now a government guest house. A stop at the Taj Varkala Beach Resort lodge, excellently located, for a snack makes the whole trip a pleasant day excursion. Located 20 kilometres south of Quilon.

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