| The backwaters of Kerala are actually
a series of lakes lakes lying along the coast from from North to
South. The main rivers of Kerala empty into these lakes. The mightiest
of them, Periyar, forms a lake North of Cochin.
The ancient port city of Kodungaloor (Cranganore) lies on its banks. After a flood in the last century, the importance of this port reduced and all trade was shifted to Cochin just south. Cochin city spreads across a few islands both natural and artificial and is the largest port in Kerala.Here the lake opens out into the ocean.just like at Kodungaloor. The Chinese fishing nets at the opening of the port uses the rise and fall of the tide to trap fish. The chinese nets welcome the ships to the port of Cochin. |
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| The Vembanad Lake lies to the South of Cochin
and stretches down all the way to Alleppey (Allapuzha).
This is the largest lake in Kerala. Alleppey is a small city crisscrossed by canals and is known as Venice of the East. It used to be a major commercial centre but most of its importance has been take over by Cochin. Kumarakom is a resort on the same lake and a bird sanctuary. |
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| Annual boat races are held here every year. Special boats known as Snake Boats are raced and the is not to be missed. | Boat Races
September Thalavady (Alleppey).
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| This region of Kerala is also known as Kuttanad
and is the Rice Bowl of Kerala. Most of the region is below sealevel and
reclaimed from the lake. The water level is regulated using a regulator
at Thottapally, South of Alleppey.
The next lake is the Kayamkulam lake south of
Alleppey. The two lakes are connected by many canals that criss cross the
low plains.
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Rivers emptying into Vembanad Lake. Muvattupuzha.
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