|
Along both banks of the lake and its backwater canals, coconut
groves and palm trees interspersed with towns and villages are seen.
Kollam, (formerly Quilon) is an important historic port city located on
the right bank of the lake. Boat cruises are operated by the Kollam Boat
Club from Kollam to Alappuzha providing transport access to many other
towns and villages along this route.
Luxury houseboats also operate on the lake. The boat journey is an
8-hour trip, winds through lakes, canals and water bound villages, and
gives complete exposure to the beauty of the backwaters of Ashtamudi
Lake. Chinese fishing nets, called cheena vala in Malayalam, are used by
local fisherman and are a common sight along the waterway.
The lake
and the city of Kollam on its banks and the Neendakara port at the
confluence offer a means of transport for the state’s trade and commerce
in the cashew trading and processing industry as well as the marine
products industry. The lake is also the source of livelihood for people
living close by from fishing, coconut husk retting for coir production
and inland navigation services.
Kallada River is a major river discharging into the Ashtamudi Lake.
Getting There
Considering Kollam as the entry city to the lake, nearest airport is the
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 71 km (44 mi) away and by
road to almost all important centres in Kerala and the rest of the
country. National Highway 47 (NH 47) passes through the lake periphery
not only from Quilon but also to other locations on its bank from
Thiruvananthapuram to the northern towns of Kerala.
Southern
Railways network of metre gauge and broad gauge lines connects with
Quilon and to all important centres in the rest of the country. The
metre gauge train journey from Quilon to Chennai via Madurai is stated
to offer a picturesque journey.
Ferry
services operate daily to Alleppey and boats operate to all villages
located in the canals of the backwater system. The boat jetty is located
at about 3 km (1.9 mi) away from the railway station. Famous Paravur
estuary and backwaters are just 21 kilometer away from Ashtamudi.
|
