Kuttanad is one of the most sought after backwater destinations in Kerala. It is situated in Alappuzha district of Kerala. This place is also famous as the rice bowl of Kerala. Hence, lush green paddy fields are also a common sight in Kuttanad. Interestingly, the best feature of most of Kuttanad's vegetation is that almost all the vegetation is located below the sea level. The lush green covers of Kuttanad are beautifully covered with the waterways that run alongside the exotic fields of cassava, banana and yam. Kuttanad is an iridescent labyrinth of small canals, lakes and rivulets, lined with dense tropical vegetation. While sailing on the calm and serene backwaters you can easily spot a number of wild animals and birds, as this place is quite popular for large variety of avifauna. You can also get a nice vision of the life of people of Kerala, as the boat slowly travels past a number of traditional Kerala villages.
By sailing through the backwaters of Kuttanad, you will come across a number of exotic visuals. These large number of canals and backwaters are still the lifeline of Kuttanad, as till now a number of remote villages are connected to other places only though this channel of transportation. While traveling through the lush green paddy fields, you will watch the coir workers soaking, beating and weaving coconut fibers into long ropes on spindles. Kuttanad is also famous for its snake boat race, which takes place on the backwaters. Huge water carnivals are organized here. Snake boats from all over Kerala are brought to this place and are raced. The most beautiful sight on the Kuttanad backwaters is when the paddy fields and the backwaters merge together. A common sight in Kuttanad is flocks of parrots hovering over the paddy fields, especially over the fields which are at full bloom. Kuttanad is a place where you get mesmerized by the unscathed beauty of the nature and the traditional and cultural values which are still followed by the populace of this place.
