Alumkadavu, Kollam

Image Credits : Jared Zimmerman, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Alumkadavu is where the first houseboats in India were built. Located north of Kollam district, the waft of coir and wood is always in the air of this village. And the reason: It is a major centre for the construction of kettuvalloms (traditional rice barges) which are later modified into houseboats for travellers.

The houseboats eventually take shape at the hands of skilled craftsmen of the village, who make sue of local and eco-friendly materials like wood, bamboo poles and coconut fibre.

Alumkadavu is also a coir manufacturing centre, making Kollam famous for its coir products.

This village is the place where the traditional houseboats of Kerala were constructed. As you glide through the calm and serene backwaters you see a Kerala which has been preserved through the ages yet having progressed with the times.

These backwaters completely hidden from the road, and it is not surprising that this is called God’s Own Country.

Karunagapally is the Hub of the Kettuvallam building industry and has hundreds of artisans who can be seen busy at work putting together a traditional houseboat like it has been done for hundreds of years. These boats, incidentally, do not have any nails or screws joining the planks together but with careful maintenance last for many, many years. Wooden planks from the jackfruit tree are tied securely with the locally-made and easily available coir rope which is coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels.

Boarding Point: Alleppey

Point of Disembarking: Alumkadavu

Important Sightseeings: Kumarakom Lake, Bird Sanctuary, Venice of the East (Alleppey), Punnamada Lake, Chavara Bhavan, Champakkulam Church, Ambalappuzha Temple, 11th Century Granite idol of Buddha, Coir making units, Alumkadavu Lake.

Going on a two nights cruise from Alleppey to Alumkadavu is an enthralling experience and yet one which relaxes you to the very soul. That’s the beauty of the backwaters of Kerala.

The famous Chinese Fishing nets can be seen at Kayamkulam Pozhy as you sail along the Alumkadavu Lake. Enjoy a quiet time trying your hand in Angling, rods are provided on request. As you reach your destination you will feel more peaceful and relaxed than ever before.

Town:: Alumkadavu is situated in the town of Karunagapally which is 23 km from Kollam. Alumkadavu is half way on the route to Alleppey from Kollam.
Airport:: Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 95 km away.
Railway Station:: Karunagappally railway station, about 5 km away.
District:: Kollam
Longitude:: 9.074319
Latitude:: 76.508891