Kuttanad- The Garden Land of Kerala

Kuttanad, the deltaic formation of four major river systems, Pampa, Achencoil, Manimala and Meenachil, confluencing into the Vembanad Lake lies 0.6 to 2.2 m below mean sea level. The region extends from 9° 17′ to 9° 40′ N latitude and 76° 19′ to 76° 33′E longitude, comprising an area of 1100 sq. km. The region encompasses vast stretches of backwaters, bordering mangrove formations, and rice fields, the latter mostly reclaimed from the shallow stretches of the lake during them recent past. The garden lands, or the reclaimed purayidams or homesteads with coconut groves, fringed by canals and channels make this a land of richness and beauty.

Historical Background

In the geological past, the Kuttanad region was a part of the shallow coastal area of the Arabian Sea. As a result of a geological uplift, a shallow bay was formed into which several rivers discharged. The silt deposited at river mouths gave rise to the present delta and the shallow bay formed into a lake-lagoonbackwater system opening on to the Arabian Sea through the Kochi barmouth. According to another theory, the entire sea was a dense forest, the legendary Khandava vana which caught fire and got engulfed by the sea during the succeeding geological ages. Years later, the sea receded, exposing the land which forms a part of the midland and coastal region of Kerala. This land was known as “Chuttanadu” meaning burned land and hence the name Kuttanad. The entire area has a semblance of dense forest, rich in organic residues and burnt wooden logs locally called as kari. With reference to elevation, geological formation and soil characteristics, Kuttanad deltaic formation is locally classified as karappadam, kayal and kari lands.

Rice Cultivation in Kuttanad

Rice is cultivated in an area of 55000 ha, identified as punja lands of Kuttanad, constituting several padasekharams or contiguous fields known as polders, separated by channels and bunds. It accounts for 20 per cent of Kerala’s rice production and contributes decisively to the food security in a state where domestic production meets only 30 per cent of the food grain requirement.

Emerging tourism

Since tourism has been identified as a major foreign exchange earner to the decelerating economy of the state, there has been an attempt to project the tourist potential of Vembanad backwaters. The entire Vembanad lake with its small islands adjoining lagoons, backwaters and reclaimed rice fields has immense tourist potential. The reclaimed wetlands are under the threat of further reclamation not only for high valued crops and construction, but also for real estate. The measures taken up by the Government for promoting tourism in Kerala, ‘God’s own country’ , and popularisation of the concept of ecotourism or green tourism taking the clues from the west have added a new dimension to land use in Kuttanad.

Boatraces of Kerala

Kuttanad the once rice bowl of Kerala and the upper Kuttanad area are mainly famous for the boat races. Majority of the people of the locality belong to agrarian sector comprising the agriculturists, agriculture workers and fishermen folks . The annual boat races often become the platform for providing the physique and muscle power of the people of a particular locality (kara) of Kuttanadu .The selection of oarsmen and maintanence of boats are made in such an impeccable manner that the performance will be superb.

Again , these boat races are considered as an example of the communal harmony prevailing in the area. irrespective of cast , creed and classes, all the people can participate in the boat race. Oarsmen belonging to different casts will come together in a boat and they have to develop an attitude of unity for a common goal which helps a lot for keeping the communal harmony and amenity.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most famous of the boat races of Kerala. This annual regatta is held on the Punnamada Backwaters of Alappuzha district on the second Saturday of August. The event is a commemoration of the visit to this place by the late Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1952. The spectacular races features magnificent snake boats or 'Chundans'. The boisterous and rhythmic boat songs or Vanchipattu work the spectators to a state of frenzy.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the biggest and the most famous event. The world renowned Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held at Punnamada lake in Alappuzha on the second saturday of August every year . The major attraction of the boat race is the competition of snake boats or chundanvallams. for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race all the 18 snake boats of the state will participate.The race course , having a length of about 1370 mts , is divided into various tracks for the conduct of the competition. When they are advancing through various tracks , it appears like the fast moving snakes . The oarsmen splash the oars in unison with the rhythmic chants and beats of drum. The movement of competing boats are so thrilling that the spectators get in tune with the excited mood of the surrounding uproars.

The History of Nehru Trophy Boat Race is associated with the visit of late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister of India to Alappuzha . The first race was an impromptu one conducted in 1952 in honour of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who visited Alappuzha. In that race of snake boats , Nadubhagam Chundan stood first. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who was thrilled and excited by the performance of the oarsmen , jumped into the Nadubhagam Chundan , forgetting all security arrangements. The boat proceeded to the boat jetty carrying the Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his return to Delhi in december 1952 , Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru donated a silver trophy which is a replica of a snake boat placed on a wooden abacus. The trophy bears the following inscription above his signature; " To the winners of the boat race which is a unique feature of community life in travancore - cochin ." This trophy later came to be known as Nehru Trophy , and in fond memory of great pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the people of Alappuzha celebrate the Nehru Trophy Boat Race every year. The boat clubs and the boat race lovers of the locality who are the inspiring spirit behind the boat races have to spend lacks of rupees for presenting an impeccable performance in the race. It is the cherished ambition of all boat clubs to win the Nehru Trophy Boat Race and embrace the prestigious Nehru Trophy Boat Race which is considered as a matter of pride and prestige. This year when celebrating the 52nd Nehru Trophy Boat Race , the organisers have made elaborate arrangements for the conduct of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race on a grand style and scale.

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race

The oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala, and is closely connected to the Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. The race is held on the Champakulam Lake on the moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Temple.

Legends say that Maharaja Devanarayana of Chempakasseri, as instructed by the royal priest, built a temple at Ambalappuzha. But just before the installation of the deity he was informed that the idol was not auspicious. The king was disturbed, but his minister suggested an inspired solution. To bring down the beautiful idol of Sree Krishna - presented to Arjuna by the Lord himself, from the Karikulam temple in Kurichi. The minister with a few others went to Kurichi, met the authorities there and returned with the idol. On the way back they stopped at Champakulam to spent the night and perform a pooja. The next morning boats from the entire region assembled to escort the idol in a colourful, ceremonial procession through the lake to the Temple. Years later the pageant is still re-enacted with the same enthusiasm. An exotic procession of water floats, boats decorated with colourful parasols and performing arts greets the spectator before the race. The race proper is held in various stages for various categories of boats.

Aranmula boat Race

The two day Aranmula Boat Race is more a water fiesta than a competition, conducted during Onam. The event is a re-enacting of the legend involving a devout Brahmin who made a votive offering of feeding one pilgrim a day. One day Sree Krishna himself appeared to him and the overjoyed Brahmin vowed to offer 51 measures of rice and all the provision for the thiruvona sadya (the sumptuous Onam feast) at the Aranmula Parthasarathy* Temple. Once, the thiruvonachilavu thoni (the boat carrying the offerings) was intercepted by rivals from another village, but the Brahmin's own villagers came to the rescue on snake boats. From then on the offering was carried by a fleet of palliyodam - about 48 of them representing the nearby backwater villages. (A palliyodam is a large, luxurious snake boat used by gods and royalty.)

Today, only 26 snake boats participate in the event which is marked by a colourful water carnival - an imposing effigy of Sree Krishna is taken out in procession on the lake with children dressed as nymphs and princesses. On the second day, snake boats decorated with silken parasols, carrying helmsmen, oarsmen and singers assemble near the temple early in the morning and then move away in pairs, creating a magnificent pageant. The boat race proper is held in the afternoon.

Other Boat Races are:-

• Neerattupuram Boat Race
• Payippad Boat Race
• Pulimkunnu, Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race
• Thiruvalla, Pamba Boat Race
• Haripad, Karuvatta Boat Race
• Mannar Boat Race

Rice Land of Kerala

Alappuzha, the Headquarters of the district, is an ancient centre of trade and commerce. The town is popularly known as " VENICE OF THE EAST'. The most famous attraction in Alappuzha is the NEHRU CUP SNAKE BOAT RACE, which is conducted every second Saturday of August each year. With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons, and fresh water rivers criss crossing it. Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. The exciting and unforgettable BOAT CRUISES between Alappuzha and Kollam offer intimate glimpses of backwater life and an unforgettable journey watching Coir making, boat building, toddy tapping, fish farming and the rugged village life. This backwater country is also home to diverse animal and bird life. Alappuzha district occupies a prominent place in the tourist map of Kerala by Interlocked with lakes and canals. The Vembanad Lake stretching up to Kochi, the rivers Achankovil, Manimala and Pamba and a net work of canals in the district are used for inland navigation. The vast stretch of paddy fields of Kuttanad, which is popularly known as the ‘rice bowl of Kerala,’ is perhaps the only place in the world where farming is done below sea level is in this district. Coir and coir products form a thriving industry in this district.
By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today Alappuzha is grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holydays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Here, one can see coconut husks being beaten into fiber for making beautiful mats and coir products. 
Facts About Alappuzha
Language: Malayalam
Altitude: Sea Level
Area: 1256 sq. Kms
Population: 1,990,603 (1991 census)
Rainfall (May - Nov.): 170 cm
Tourist Season: Aug-Mar
Climate: Warm tropical
Clothing: Tropical Cottons
Altitude: Sea Level

Places to visit
Ambalappuzha: It is a little town 14 km south of Alappuzha, famous for Sri Krishna Temple. The Ambalappuzha Palpayasom- a sweet porridge of milk, rice and sugar – offered to the diety is very delicious and popular. The annual temple festival is in March/April. The temple has also another significance. It was in this temple that the 16th century poet Kunjan Nambiar staged his first Ottan Thullal, a solo dance performance with high social content. 
The St. Andrew’s Church: This known pilgrim centre is near Cherthala, 22 km north of Alappuzha. The Portuguese missionaries established this St. Andrew’s Church better known as Arthunkal Church. Annual festival Arthunkal Perunnal - the feast of the patron saint (January). 
Krishnapuram Palace: It is an 18th century palace built by the Travancore King, Marthanda Varma at Kayamkulam. It is a double storied structure displaying the characteristics of Kerala architecture. At the western end of the ground floor is seen a painting of ‘Gajendra moksham’, one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala. It measures 14 feet by 11 feet. Inside the palace, there is a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes. 
Punnappra: Punnappra near Alappuzha has gone down into history as the battle ground between the Communists and the erst-while Travancore state police in the Punnappra- Vayalar Communist uprising of 1946. A memorial to the martyrs stands testimony to the event, which the state Government declared as a pat of the freedom struggle 
Aranmula: The Parthasarathi temple (dedicated to Load Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna in Pandava - Kourava war) on the banks of the holy river Pamba attracts large crowds of devotees. The famed Aranmula Boat Race is held on the last day of weeklong Onam festival. The Vijnana Kalavedi at Aranmula imparts training in the traditional arts like Kathakali, classical dances, classical music, as well as kalaripayattu. Foreign tourists stay here for long periods to get a first hand knowledge of the culture of Kerala. The Vishnu Temple here has fine murals from the 18th century. Aranmula is fast emerging as an important summer resort. Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirrors, which make good souvenirs. 
Aranmula Boat Race: The famous water fiesta, which is held during Onam (August - September). The snake boats assemble near Sri. Parthasarathi Temple before the grand procession. Each boat is 30 ft long and accommodates 4 helmsmen, 100 rowers and 25 singers. The snake boats move in pairs to the rhythm of full-throated singing and shouting, watched by excited crowd 
Pathiramanal: According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions, and water made way for land to rise from below. Thus creating the enchanting island of Pathiramanal (sands of midnight). This little island on the backwaters is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. 
Kuttanad: Kuttanad is called as the rice bowl of Kerala, because for her wealth of paddy crops are at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of bananas, cassava and yams, which accompany the rice bowl as "side dishes". This is perhaps the only land in the world where farming is done below sea level. Inland waterways, which flow above land level, are an amazing feature of this unique land. 
Mannarasala: Situated near Harippad, is a serpent shrine under the patronage of a Brahmin family, headed by a priestess. Legend has it that the first priestess of Mannarasala gave birth to a five headed snake, which is believed to reside in the ancestral houses to safeguard the family. At Mannarasala barren women are believed to be blessed with children, and a special turmeric paste available at the shrine is credited with powers to cure even leprosy.

Boat Races: Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Pannamada Kayal - second Saturday of August Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race - Last Saturday of August.

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race - Moolam day of Mithunam – July

Payippad Jalotsavam - 4th Onam day - August/September

Neerattupuram Boat Race- Onam - August/September.