Enamavu Backwaters

Enamavu Backwaters is a freshwater lake and canal system located approximately 20 kilometers from Thrissur city in Kerala. The lake derives its water from Peechi Dam and is protected by the historic Enamavu bund, constructed to prevent saltwater intrusion. This tranquil rural destination offers boating, bird-watching, and scenic views of paddy fields and coconut-lined banks amidst lush greenery.

Visitors can expect a peaceful rural backwater experience with calm waters surrounded by paddy fields, coconut groves, and verdant greenery. The area features the Enamavu bund, a historic structure separating freshwater from saltwater. Boating activities including kayaking, pedal boats, and houseboat cruises are available. The Manalur-Enamavu steel footbridge provides scenic viewpoints for sunset viewing and photography.

The Enamavu bund was constructed under the vision of Sakthan Thampuran in the early 19th century. In an 1802 letter to the Collector of Malabar, he proposed building a bund to control saltwater intrusion into the freshwater lake. The bund protects approximately 13,632 hectares of the Kole wetlands. The area has historical links to foreign sailors and retains colonial-era edifices from British and Portuguese periods.

Enamavu served as a natural boundary separating the regions of Malabar and Cochin. The area holds cultural significance as part of the Kole wetland ecosystem and has connections to traditional maritime activity. The Portuguese Church of Lady Mount of Caramel stands as a symbol of the colonial era in the region.