Pokkali fields, backwaters in Chellanam, Kumbalanghi sparkle with ‘Kavaru’

Experience the natural phenomenon of 'Kavaru' - bioluminescent light display in Kochi's backwaters, reminiscent of fireflies, attracting crowds.

Hundreds of acres of undrained pokkali rice fields and the Vemabanad backwaters adjoining the coastal village of Chellanam and Kumbalanghi are alive with people flocking in large numbers nightly to witness the phenomenon of bioluminescence or sea sparkle, locally called ‘Kavaru’.

‘Kavaru’ is a natural phenomenon when the waters attain high salinity creating the conditions rife for a natural display of light triggered by microscopic bacteria, algae, and fungi emanating light. In and around Kochi, it is generally blue coloured while in other parts of the country, there are reports of the light display acquiring green colour. ‘Kavaru’ reminds one of the light emitted by fireflies or lightning bugs, which are beetles famous for their bioluminescent displays used by them to draw mates or deter predators.

“The Kavaru can be witnessed best on dark nights, without moonlight even. But the large number of vehicles flocking to the backwaters with their headlights throw the visuals out of focus,” said Enosh Xavier from Kumbalanghi, a young enthusiast who was seen directing people to the best spots where Kavaru could be witnessed on Sunday night. He recalled that ‘Kavaru’ was made popularised by the Malayalam movie Kumbalanghi Nights.

A resident of Chellanam, V. T. Sebastian, said that the number of people coming to witness ‘Kavaru’ would rise now because of the sharing of pictures and news of the phenomenon through social media platforms.

Mr. Sebastian said that salt content in the backwaters would rise rapidly in the dry, summer months. When the salinity rises to 30-35 parts per thousand, the condition is rife for ‘Kavaru’. When the water is stirred or when big fishes move in the waters, the blue light display is triggered.