Alappuzha (Alleppey)

Affectionately called the Venice of the East, Alapuzha is a land of immense natural beauty. Sandwitched between the blue waters of the Arabian Sea on one side and the foothills of the Western Ghats on the other side, Alapuzha had always been a favoured destination of tourists since time immemorial. Its sun filled beaches, its lagoons, and canals criss-crossing the country side, its immense marine wealth, its snake boat races, its coir factories, and the relics of a glorious past have given Alappuzha a pride of place in the international tourist map.

Alappuzha has much to offer to a discerning tourist. It is to all intends and purposes an ideally tourist destination in God’s own country.

Places of Tourist importance

Kuttanad

Kuttanad is the center of all backwater delights. One can spend endless hours enjoying the beauty of it all. Cruising along the backwaters in the cool confines of an impeccably furnished Houseboat would be an experience of a lifetime. Kuttanad literally is backwater country and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below the sea level. The palm fringed paddy fields, a first hand knowledge of the agrarian life of a gentry and the breathtaking natural beauty of the country side are all sure to leave nostalgic memories in the minds of each and every visitor.

Alapuzha beach

Alapuzha beach is considered one of thee finest beaches in the country. The unending flow of tourist traffic to this beach can be explained by the presence of a clean and serene beach. The beach also houses one of the finest amusement parks where people of all ages can spend some pleasant moments. Children would love riding the toy trains, enjoy cycle rides and swimming and boating in the pool. A 140 year old pier in the beach is a relic of the flourishing commercial activities that Alapuzha was home to in bygone days.

Pathiramanal

Literally meaning sands of midnight, this is an island in the Vembanadu lake that is a must for every tourist setting his foot in Alapuzha. The creation of this island has a mythological past and is considered a divine gift. The tourism department, Government of Kerala has constructed a walkway for the convenience of the tourists within the island. The island is home to rare species of migratory birds. Visiting this cool and serene evergreen island should be a must in every tourist itinerary. Pathiramanal is accessible by boat only and lies between Thanneerrmukkam in Alappuzha district and Kumarakom in Kottayam district. Lying on the shores of the vembanad lake East of Alappuzha, Kumarakom, to be sure is a tourist’s delight and is home to one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the country. It is a mere half an hour boat ride from Alappuzha through the Vembanad Lake.

Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna temple

Situated at a distance of 15 kms from Alapuzha, this temple is a standing testimony to the architectural brilliance of a bygone era. Majestic paintings adorn its inner walls. The Dasavatharam (10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu), painted on its walls is a highly acclaimed masterpiece. Kunjan Nambiar, the greatest Malayalam satirist staged his first ottam thullal (classical Kerala art form) performance in the precincts of this temple. The temple has also gained a unique fame for the palapayasam (delicious milk porridge) that is given as offering.

Krishnapuram Palace

This palace was built by king Marthanda Varma Raja and is situated at Karthikapally, a distance of 47 kms from Alapuzha. The place houses some of the finest mural paintings seen anywhere in Kerala. Built in the 18^th century, the palace, besides, show cases an innumerable number of antique sculptures and bronze relics.

Karumadikkuttan

This is an 11 th century bronze statue of Lord Buddha situated at Kuttanad, 3 kms East of Ambalapuzha. Innumerable number of mythological stories revolves around this statue. Such a statue as this has never been reported to be found anywhere else. It has an attraction that defies logic. This statue is a favorite with a large number of tourists both Indian and foreign.

Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple

This is an internationally acclaimed pilgrim spot and lies at a distance of 32 kms from Alapuzha. It is dedicated to the serpent God Nyagaraja. A Brahmin priestess always remains the head of the temple. The temple is credited with miraculous cures and lies in the midst of dense evergreen vegetation. Barren women make sacrificial offerings to the serpent God in the fervent belief that they will be blessed with an offspring. The turmeric paste given as prasadam here is believed by some to be effective in curing every form of disease including leprosy.Edathua church

Lying on the Thiruvalla –Alapuzha route, this 19 the century church is a favourite with devotees of all religions. The patron saint, St. George is believed o cure every type of disease that the faithful. may be afflicted with. This church, however, is better known for drawing in those with serious mental problems.

Champakkulam church

It is one of the oldest churches in India and is believed to be one of the 7 established by St. Thomas, the Apostle. The annual feast is held on the 3^rd Sunday of every year.

Houseboats

Houseboats are huge, slow moving exotic barges designed for leisure trips. In olden days these were used to ferry rice and other commercial merchandise to Cochin port. With the decline in goods transport through these slow moving barges and an increase in tourism activities, these barges have been turned in to modern day miniature floating hotels termed houseboats.

These eco friendly houseboats in most cases are impeccably furnished and have all the modern days comforts of a premium hotel. These houseboats feature well-furnished bedrooms, modern hygienic toilets, living room, balcony for angling and a well-endowed kitchen. Houseboats offer scope for angling from the balcony. The guests will be presented with a choice of meals. But in most cases the obvious choice will center on Kerala delicacies with the freshly caught delicious Karimeen (pearl spot) curry.

Spending some memorable moments in the confines of these houseboats cruising along the serene backwaters would be an experience of a lifetime.

Nehru Trophy boat race

Alapuzha is the land of water fiestas. The Nehru trophy boat race held on the second Saturday of August every year at the Vembanadu Lake is the most colourful of the lot. The boat race is held in commemoration of the visit of the late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to kuttanad. This magnificent spectacle is viewed by an innumerable number of tourists both Indian and foreign. Over 130 oars men row the 100 feet long snake boat in unison to the singing of the Vanchipattu (song of the boat men) and rush headlong to the finishing point. The victor is given a rousing welcome and is accompanied by lavish gifts.

The Champakkulam boat race is another boat race that also draws in large crowds.

Accessibility

Alapuzha is accessible from every part of the country. It lies on the NH 47. It is besides, a major railhead and innumerable trains pass through Alapuzha.It is also the starting point of a large number of trains going to North India. It is also accessible by boat and daily boat services are available from Quilon, Kottayam and Ernakulam

Railway enquiry 0477-2253965

KSRTC Bus stand 0477-2252501

Ferry service 0477-2252015

0477- 2252510

Geographical details

Area 1414 sq. kms

Population 2, 105, 349

Altitude – Sea level

Climate 21 degree centigrade( minimum) in winter

35 degree centigrade ( maximum)