Keralaoutlook.com

Kettuvallams, the stitched boats provide the best way to experience the colourful backwaters of Kerala. The Kettuvalloms of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length.

The traditional houseboat, the indispensable part of the picturesque backwaters of Kerala, was mainly used in Travancore and Kochi and in the Minicoy Islands in olden times

The wood commonly used to make

Kettuvalloms is 'Anhili', which is found in

abundance in central Travancore area.

Large planks are tied together using hand made coir ropes and beaten coconut fibres.

This gives the Kettuvallams enough strength to endure heavy waves in the sea. These long cargo boats are a well-known sight on the backwaters. These customary houseboats undoubtedly form one of the most enduring images of the backwaters in Kerala.

Today, these goods carriers have been adapted to make the most exciting tourism product in India , the expensively furnished houseboat. Kettuvallams or the 'house-boats of Kerala' dot the serene palm-fringed backwaters of Kerala.

Kettuvallams, the stitched boats are the habitual house boats of Kerala. They provide the best way to experience the colourful backwaters of Kerala. The Kettuvalloms of Kerala are huge country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length

The traditional house boat, the indispensable part of the striking backwaters of Kerala, was mainly used in Travancore and Kochi and in the Minicoy Islands in olden times.

The wood usually used to make Kettuvalloms is 'Anhili', which is found in plenty in central Travancore area. Large planks are tied together using hand made coir ropes and beaten coconut fibres.

This gives the Kettuvallams sufficient strength to survive heavy waves in the sea. These long cargo boats are a familiar sight on the backwaters. These traditional house boats definitely form one of the most abiding images of the backwaters in Kerala.