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Houseboat in Kerala
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The Kettuvallam (House Boat in Kerala) is a large floating structure with high loading carrying capacity was a part of Kerala's culture and heritage over the past years. Kettuvallam could sail harnessing wild energy. A journey through the lagoon is interesting, passing through sleepy villages, busy boat jetties and vibrant celebrations. The boat glides across the shimmering blue waters with gorgeous green and fringed edges.
For centuries Kettuvallam have been roaming in the backwaters transporting men and materials to different destinations. Due to its sheer size and shape, Kettuvallam can carry load, which is more than thrice that of a cargo truck.
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It was the important mode of transportation in coastal Kerala just because of its accessibility to the most remote areas. As time passed, the scene changed gradually. Motorized road, rail and air transportation scored over the slow and staid country boat, with people opting for speed over charm.
The outside of the boat is painted using cashew nut oil, which acts asa protective coating. During the time when road and rail transportation was expensive or unavailable, traders used Kettuvallam as a form of main transportation in the inland waterways. The boats had enough facilities for cooking and sleeping for the boatmen. Sometimes boatmen's families also accompanied them. These boatmen were also famous for the folk songs they sang while rowing the boat and for their style of cooking which they developed for the conditions inside the boat.
The new generation Houseboats are renovated forms of original Kettuvallams. The modern type House Boat have all the creative comforts like a Hotel ie well-furnished bedrooms, modern hygienic toilets, cosy living rooms, dining area, beautiful kitchen and in some cases even a balcony for angling. Most of the Houseboats are powered by remarkably unobtrusive inboard diesel engines and use solar energy for power requirements.
The Kettuvallam has been so much a part of Kerala's culture and heritage for years. Although it faced a period of decline with the advent of surface transport it has now come back to the scene as tourist attraction, it is a space adapted for the present, from the past to be used in the future and it plays a significant role in the social and economic aspects of the life e of the people of Kerala. The slow moving Houseboat splitting the serene backwaters flanked by greenery provide an enchanting experience to any visitor. Floating in these backwaters in a country craft Kettuvallam (Houseboat) to explore the unusual representation of Kerala through the intricate maze of canals conjures up a surreal existence devoid of any time sense.
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