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.jpg) The
Houseboats of kerala are giant country crafts, measuring upto
80 feet in length, retrieved from being lost to the State
altogether. Once they ruled the backwaters, poled along by
one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and other
commodities. But in the recent times, the kettuvallams
have been replaced by more and modern modes of transport,
relegating them to neglect and decay.
The
houseboats of today - huge, slow moving, exotic barge used for
leisure trips - are the reworked kettuvallams of olden times.
The original kettuvallams were used to carry tonnes of rice and
spices - a standard kettuvallam can hold up to 30 tonnes - from
Kuttanad to the Kochi port.
The kettuvallam or ‘boat with knots’- was so called because
the entire boat was held together with coir knots only - not
even a single nail is used during the construction. The boat is
made of planks of jack-wood joined together with coir. This is
then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew
kernels. With careful maintenance, a kettuvallam can last for
generations. .jpg)
A portion of the kettuvallam was covered with bamboo and coir to
serve as a restroom and kitchen for the crew. Meals would be
cooked on board and supplemented with fresh fish from the
backwaters. Today, the tradition is still continued and the food
from the local cuisine is served by the Kuttanad localities on
board.
When the modern trucks replaced this system of transport, some
one found a new way that would keep these boats, almost all of
which were more than 100 years old, in the market. By
constructing special rooms to accommodate travellers, these boats
cruised forward from near- extinction to enjoy their present
great popularity.
Now these are a familiar sight on the backwaters and in Alleppey
alone, there are as many as 120 houseboats.
While converting kettuvallams into houseboats, care is taken to
use only natural products. Bamboo mats, sticks and wood of the
aracanut tree are used for roofing, coir mats and wooden planks
for the flooring and wood of coconut trees and coir for beds.
For lighting though, solar panels are used.
Today, the houseboats have all the creature comforts of a good
hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living
rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Parts of the
curved roof of wood or plaited palm open out to provide shade
and allow uninterrupted views. While most boats are poled by
local oarsmen, some are powered by a 40 HP engine. Boat-trains
are
formed by joining two or more houseboats together and are also
used by large groups of sight-seers.
The
Glory of House Boats
Have you ever gone houseboat cruising on the backwaters of
Kerala? If you haven’t, make sure you do. This one really
an absolutely wonderful, unforgettable experience!
 The
houseboats of today - huge, slow moving, exotic
barge used for leisure trips - are the reworked
kettuvallams of olden times. The original
kettuvallams were used to carry tonnes of rice and
spices - a standard kettuvallam can hold up to 30
tonnes - from Kuttanad to the Kochi port.
The kettuvallam or ‘boat with knots’- was so
called because the entire boat was held together
with coir knots only - not even a single nail is
used during the construction. The boat is made of
planks of jack-wood joined together with coir.
This is then coated with a caustic black resin
made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful
maintenance, a kettuvallam can last for
generations.
A portion of the kettuvallam was covered with
bamboo and coir to serve as a restroom and kitchen
for the crew. Meals would be cooked on board and
supplemented with fresh fish from the backwaters.
Today, the tradition is still continued and the
food from the local cuisine is served by the
Kuttanad localities on board.
When the modern trucks replaced this system of
transport, some one found a new way that would
keep these boats, almost all of which were more
than 100 years old in the market. By constructing
special rooms to accommodate travellers, these
boats cruised forward from near- extinction to
enjoy their present great popularity.
 Now
these are a familiar sight on the backwaters and
in Alleppey alone, there are as many as 120
houseboats. While converting kettuvallams into
houseboats, care is taken to use only natural
products. Bamboo mats, sticks and wood of the
aracanut tree are used for roofing, coir mats and
wooden planks for the flooring and wood of coconut
trees and coir for beds. For lighting though,
solar panels are used.
Today, the houseboats have all the creature
comforts of a good hotel including furnished
bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a
kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Parts of
the curved roof of wood or plaited palm open out
to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views.
While most boats are poled by local oarsmen, some
are powered by a 40 HP engine. Boat-trains -
formed by joining two or more houseboats together
- are also used by large groups of sight-seers.
What is truly magical about a houseboat ride is
the breathtaking view of the untouched and
otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers
- while you float! Now, wouldn’t that be
something?
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Features
of Houseboats
» Each houseboat is of excellent construction
and luxurious furnishing with exquisite
flooring, hull and valavara (canopy). They are
in top cruise worthy condition.
» Each houseboat with attached toilets,
separate toilets for crew.
» Spacious passage and a neat, classy kitchen.
» Kitchen is properly protected from hazards by
fireproofing and fire extinguishers.
» Clean environment with a hygienic storage
hold, free from insects And safe fuel storage
facilities.
» Clean good quality linen, blankets, towels
etc.
» Log books and tourist records are updated
regularly and the boat has a valid license.
» The service of professional cooks are
available on the boat.
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Kettuvallam
Houseboats
Kettuvallams, the stitched boats provide the best way to
experience the colourful backwaters of Kerala. The
Kettuvallams of Kerala are giant country crafts,
measuring up to 80 feet in length.
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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 Kettuvallams 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
withstand heavy waves in the sea. These long
cargo boats are a familiar sight on the
backwaters. These traditional houseboats
undoubtedly form one of the most abiding images
of the backwaters in Kerala.
Today, these goods carriers have been adapted to
make the most exciting tourism product in India,
the luxuriously furnished houseboat.
Kettuvallams or the 'house-boats of Kerala' dot
the serene palm-fringed backwaters of Kerala.
Witness The Making Of the
Traditional Kettuvallams
At a quiet spot just outside the small town of
Karunagapally, 23 kms north of Quilon, it's
possible to watch the construction of
traditional Kettuvallams. Kettuvallams are built
entirely without the use of nails.
It requires great skill and adroitness to
construct these giant boats by tying huge planks
of jack wood together. The boats are applied
with fish oil and cashew nut oil and left to
cure for days.
 Oil
is simultaneously applied atleast three times
before the boat is set on water. Each jackwood
plank is joined to the next with coir rope, and
then the whole is coated with a caustic black
resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With
careful maintenance, they last for generations.
A sojourn in Kettuvallams, the House boats of
Kerala, offers a panoramic view of one of the
most picturesque aspects of the God's Own
Country. One can cruise in it through the
palm-fringed backwaters, throughout a night in
waxing moonlights.
The lullaby of the waves and the dazzling
delights of the moonlit night can be experienced
by spending a couple of nights aboard the
Kettuvallam. The traditional houseboat of Kerala
is one of the most enduring images of the
backwaters.
These houseboats are converted version of the
"Kuttanadan Kettuvallams".
The
Luxury In Water - Kerala Houseboats
Kettuvallams, the large traditional houseboats
are converted into floating luxury dwelling
units.
These house boats are available in all sizes and
shapes, the most popular accommodation type
being a suite, having one or two bath attached
bedrooms, one living room, kitchenette, an open
lounge, deck and a crew comprising oarsmen, a
cook and guide.
The houseboats are generally powered by a small
outboard engine, allowing one to cruise along
the backwaters. A recent innovation is a small
conference room in a houseboat.
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