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Houseboats are synonymous with backwaters in Kerala, but have you ever wondered how they are made? Head to Alumkadavu in Kollam district, you can watch the crafting of kettuvalloms or houseboats at the building yards amid a serene setting.
This is where the first houseboats in India were built. Tourists can spend a day here watching how magnificent houseboats are built using the wood of Aanjili (wild jack) and Jackwood trees. Wood planks are joined together with coir ropes and coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, the houseboats can last for generations.
Located on the backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake in Karunagapally, the village is also a coir manufacturing centre, making Kollam famous for its coir products.
Coconut groves, palm trees, mango trees, banana plants and many more dot the landscape of Alumkadavu which is blessed with enchanting natural beauty and abundant flora.
The sleepy village has been attracting tourists for its laidback and relaxed charm. The Alumkadavu-Sasthamkotta region represents a way of life rarely seen elsewhere. One of the best ways to experience the tranquil life is to hire a canoe/boat and row past quiet homes and serene shrines.
Travellers can take a break from hectic itineraries and smell the earthy, redolent flavours of incense and coir, of wood on water and gently spiced fish.
If time permits, travellers can pay a visit to nearby destinations such as Dharmasastha Temple, Ochira Temple, Amritapuri and Sasthamkotta Lake.
You can check the following video to know about the tourist places in Kollam, other than Alumkadavu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-j-4_CEQ14
Getting there
Nearest railway station: Karunagapally railway station, about 5 km
Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, about 95 km
Contact
District Tourism Promotion Council
Near KSRTC Bus Stand
Kollam - 1
Tel: +91 474 2745625, 2750170
Email: info@dtpckollam.com, contact@dtpckollam.com
