Introduction

Gliding along the calm and serene backwaters flanked by green leaves and palms, seeing a rural Kerala preserved through the ages and completely hidden from the road is an enchanting experience to any visitor, more so while sailing a slow-moving, spacious Kettuvallam.Karunagapally is just the right place with the right ambience.Alumkadavu, a quiet spot in the town of Karunagapally - hardly 23 kms. north of Quilon (travel time: 30 min) has become a hot point of Kettuvallam building, with more than a hundred people involved.

These huge, long and tapering barges were traditionally used to move tonnes of goods across kingdoms, with a portion covered with bamboo and coir serving as a rest room and kitchen for the crew. A familiar sight on the waters, these vessels are built entirely without using nails. Planks of jack wood are joined together with coir rope and coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance they last for generations. 

Today, widely and appropriately called houseboats, they carry furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Some are powered by a 40 HP engine. At Alumkadavu in Karunagapally, you can even find a floating conference hall, designed to seat 35, with a dais and a sophisticated public address system. 

Backwater village
Alumkadavu a quiet spot in the town Karunagapally hardly 23-kms north of Quilon, has become a hot point of Kettuvallam building. Today, this backwater village is famous for its houseboats, with furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. 

Karunagapally taluk, with its office at Karunagapally, comprises of the municipalities of Adhinadu, Alappad, Ayanivelikulangara, Chavara, Clappana, Kallebhagam, Karunagapally, Kulasckharapuram, Needakara, Ochira, Paavumba, Pammana, Thazhava, Thekkumbhagam, Thevalakkara, Thodiyoor and Vadakkumthala.

For further details, visit www.Quilon.com

Karunagappally Map