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Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam
Tour The splendid town of Kollam on the Ashtamudi Lake
is renowned for being the gateway to the beautiful backwaters
of Kerala. One may opt for the backwater tour and cruise
that starts from Kollam. The Houseboat Kerala and backwater
tour from Kollam to Alappuzha is the longest cruise
. . This boat ride from Kollam to Alappuzha takes 8
hours and is a delightful ride, passes through lakes,
canals water-bound villages. The famous "Cheenavala"
or Chinese fishing nets can also be seen along the backwaters
with lotuses and water lilies growing in the water,
water birds calling from the banks and otters splashing
and playing in the water.
This historic coastline district known for its marine
and cashew industries was one of the oldest ports on
the Malabar coast and a major international trading
point .Alarge proportion of this town is covered by
the renowned Ashtamudi Lake,famed for its boat building
yard. It is here that the gigantic Kettuvallams (cargo
boats of rural Kerala) were built. Today the Kettuvallams
which were long replaced by modern means of transport,
have been converted into houseboats.. This backwater
is the home of the skilled artisans who crafted the
enormous Kettuvallams in yester years.
The district also has some interesting historic remains
and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate
architectural style. Majority percentage of this historic
town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making
it the gateway to the magnificent Backwaters of Kerala.
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