Munroe Island – An Offbeat Backwaters Gem in Kerala
Kerala has been blessed with a plethora of picturesque landscape, but the hidden gems are those blissful small hamlets, tucked away from the major tourist places. The charming villages, calming backwaters, boating on the vast expanse of Ashtamudi Lake, warm smiles and all shades of nature – beautifully sums up the aura of Munroe Island.
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Surrounded by the gentle breeze of the lake and rustling of the trees, Munroe Island is a paradise to your roving soul. The sky turns into a colorful canvas at the crack of the dawn. The coconut trees sway to the wind on the banks of the lake. The smell of the herb cooked fish brews into the air from the nearby restaurants. It is a place where people communicate with smiles breaking the language barrier.
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Where is it located?
The offbeat backwater paradise of Kerala is less frequented by tourist. The charisma of the small settlement is beautifully preserved through its pristine natural offerings. Time stops in this small cluster of Island locally called Munrothuruthu. The cluster of 8 island is in Kollam District, at confluence of Kallada River and Ashtamudi River. The silent sweeps of the backwaters turn the place completely idyllic.
Incredible Things to Do in Munroe Island
Homestay – Stay with Locals
The essence of travelling expands a trillion times living with the locals. The best bet to know more the culture and hideouts of Munroe Island was to stay at a homestay – in constant company of a local host family. Munroe Island has several homestays, but I would recommend Munroe Meadows – for a warm, extremely hospitable and memorable stay. Our host Ajith and Anjana ensured we make the most of everything.
Not only did we see and explore Munroe Island in a different light, but it also gave us an insight about their traditions, culture, belief, food habits and religious values. The homestay host ensured we get to know things better by explaining the rituals of ongoing festival in the adjacent temple. The free bicycles were the brownie points.
Cycle around the Narrow Lanes
Riding a bicycle through the rickety countryside lanes of Munroe Island was completely liberating. Munroe Island, on a personal front, will be very special for me because it was my first time in 30 years, I rode a bicycle. For someone, who has never ridden a bicycle, the experience of riding the cycle through the untouched corners was exciting. There was a lot of panic – riding on the main road with the vehicles storming past, but it boosted my confidence. The bicycle is the best way to explore Munroe Island – ride past the quaint homes, on the road along the lake and to all the hidden gems.
Sunrise Boat Ride on Backwaters
Early mornings are the greatest gift to humanity – the silence in the aura and the subtle surrounding, makes it all pacifying. Adding a soul to this is the sound of the calming backwaters, as the country boat rowed past the narrow passage of water into the vast expanse of the lake. The dawn slowly unfolded and painted the sky into a palette of vibrant colors. As we sat, being rowed on the wobbly boat, the gentle breeze unfurled its way welcoming the bright day ahead. It was a moment of tranquil, an experience that will stay knitted to my soul. The best part of the boat ride was spotting numerous birds including eagles.
Chase those Soul Feeding Sunsets
Sunsets are always phenomenal, no matter how many times you have watched it. But digging those sunsets from a place that is only known to the locals without any tourist is epic. The best part of staying in the homestay is Ajith – our host, took us to a hidden spot for the sunset. As the sun set, the cloud beautifully spread a golden orange glow in the sky. Munroe Island is a place that will feed your soul with gorgeous sunsets and natural bliss, if you know the right place. The hidden corners, known by the locals, are great way to connect to nature.
Attend a Temple Festival
If you are in Munroe Island at the right time, you will witness pomp and show, devotion and religious ceremonies in the local temple. There was a 10-day religious festival going on in the temple adjacent to our homestay. The whole village participated in the festival, food was prepared and served in the temple during day and ceremonies continued till evening. We witnessed the 2nd last and last day of the ceremony.
The last night of the ceremony has couple of interesting rituals with men in their traditional attire beating drums. The last night religious rituals were dedicated to snake worship. The arena was cleared and decorated, people settled around to observe the function and young girls (who haven’t hit puberty) were worshipped. It was interesting to witness the colorful religious ceremonies.
The last day of the religious ceremony was the onset of Pongal. Early morning, women of the villages were ready with their utensils to prepare payasam (sweet rice) seated next to each other in the field, within the temple ground. Each of the women, had their own fire arrangement and ingredients to prepare the sweet dish together. The first offering from the preparation was given to almighty and rest was packed back home.
Get an Ayurvedic Massage
Kerala Ayurvedic Massage is one of the most popular massage, infused with herbal and medicinal oil. The medicinal properties of the massage help in reducing pain, boost immune system, enhance circulation and relaxes your system. There are a few Ayurvedic massage centers in Munroe Island that you can try to calm your nerves. However, the massage can be oily, and smell of the herb infused oil will longer than you think.
Have a Sumptuous Traditional Meal
The food in Kerala can be a little confusing for a lot of people. However, if you are a fish person, the herb and spice covered fish is something that must not be missed. The fish is fried or roasted and slowly cooked in traditional spices, the taste and aroma spreading through the gastronomical senses. A traditional meal is served in the homestays or in couple of restaurants around Munroe Island. Everything is cooked in coconut oil; rice is fluffy and plump and there is a lot of sour in the curry. However, a traditional Keralite meal is a must to savor once.
Best Time to Visit Munroe Island
The best time to visit the place is during winters when the sun is calmer and not harsh. The season starts normally from November to February. However, if you wish to visit the temple festival, the best time to visit is the last week of January and first week of February. However, don’t forget to get your sunscreen and protective clothing, to save yourself the tan.
How to Reach Munroe Island?
Munroe Island is well connected via road and train. The best way to reach Munroe Island is by hiring a taxi or a car, however it can be a little expensive. It is located roughly 27 to 30km from Kollam and can be easily even reached by train. If you are on budget, take a train to Munroethuruthu (Munroe Island) railway station and an auto to your homestay.
Munroe Island is for those who truly want to enjoy some time in solitude. The chirping of the birds, the bountiful nature and the soothing backwaters helps reconnect. Munroe Island is undoubtedly one of the best hidden gems of Kerala, with a rustic aura and tranquil. The place is all about its people and getting to know Kerala a little better. With not much of touristic footprint, Munroe Island is one of the best places to explore and experience.
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