Backwaters is the most popular tourist attraction of Kerala. The palm-fringed, tranquil backwaters were once the state's trade highways. With 41 west-flowing rivers, the backwaters stretch to almost 1,900 kilometers. The backwater routes date back over the centuries and have been long used for all transportation needs, in particular trade in coconut, rubber, rice and spices. The Ashtamudi lake, surrounded by red cliffs and swaying coconut palms, still bears traces of its former links with China -on a backwater cruise from Kollam to Alappuzha all along the waterline you can see the famous Cheena Vala (Chinese fishing nets gracefully hanging over the lake, as covered country boats ply the backwaters. The Kollam Boat Club provides boats to cruise on the lake.
Catamarans( house boats) provide an opportunity for exhilarating watersports. With a gentle breeze to aid, one may sail around the Ashtamudi Lake.The 9 hour boat ride from Kollam to Alappuzha along these backwaters can be an unforgettable experience. Located in Kollam district, Ashtamudi is famed for its panoramic and magnificent views.The Ashtamudi Lake is so named because of its eight 'arms' or channels is the gateway to the backwaters.
The Ashtamudi Lake (in native language - Ashtamudi Kayal) is the second largest wetland ecosystem in Kerala. The term Ashtamudi, deriving from two Sanskrit words - 'Asht'a and 'Mudi' with meaning 'eight' and 'cone' respectively, gets the literal meaning "Eight Coned."
For its name, the palm-shaped Ashtamudi Lake, however, owes a lot to its topography blessed with the Kallada river and its three tributaries viz. Chenthurnipuzha, Kalthuruthipuzha and Kulathupuzha. The lake being a confluence of these three tributaries is rightly called the gateway to the Kerala backwaters.
Coconut palms that borders the banks of the Lake are really an attraction and a feast for any tourist's eyes. Tourists can travel from Alappuzha to Kollam on boats to explore the lake's beauty further. Being very large, a tourist can fully view the Ashtamudi Lake only if he or she travels on boat.
Boat trips are always enjoyable. But they become more pleasure-generating when the boating is done along the backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake as they remain the most important means to behold and enjoy the beauty of the backwaters lined with coconut palms.
Fishermen casting chinese fishing nets for a catch, lined coconut palms that sway in wind, red-sun setting in the other end of the lake, etc. are a few among the most charming scenes the tourists can come along while travelling on boats along the backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake.
Ever since the times of the Romans and the Phoenicians, the lake had always been in the lime-light. The port at Ashtamudi Lake was one of the five most prominent ports in the state and was used by the Chinese traders.
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