KALLARA – UNIQUE RURAL TOURISM IN THE MAKING

Kallara and the neighboring villages of Kaduthutruthi and Thalayolapparambu has unending stretches of lush green paddy fields crisscrossed by numerous canals that drain into the backwaters of Ezhumanthuruth and fall into the mighty Vembanad Lake. In ancient days, large barge like country boats transported goods from Alappuzha to Thalayolapparambu and Kaduthuruthi through these intricate networks of waterways. The waterways also connect Kallara with Vaikom to the north and to Kumarakom in the south. The village provides unending scenic vistas. Ancient temples and churches lies scattered here. The backwaters of Ezhumanthuruth have many attractive small islands in them. The unique attraction here is the concentration of screw pine product making in this little village. Locally called ‘tazha’ the screw pine plants grow in abundance on the side of canals and waterways. The shaft of this plant is plucked, cut and seasoned. These are later woven into an array of beautiful and colorful products. Screw pine products range from table mats, purse, file holders, mirrors, chapels, waste box, cushions, hats, kitchen pouches and decoration items. Kallara also produces bamboo products, rubber wood items and wood products. Very soon Kallara will be a model tourism village, where the tourists can experience the art and process of screw pine product development and other such rural products enjoying scenic vistas staying in good home stay units in the village. How to reach: Kallara is located about 25 km North West of Kottayam town. The place can be easily accessed by good village roads leading from Kottayam – Ernakulam Road. The place is also connected by road from the tourist hub of Kumarakom.