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