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Alleppey
(Alappuzha) is situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake, the
town's commercial centre lives in a maze of canals. Set in
the labyrinth of backwater channels, the town is one
of the best gateways to explore the unspoilt countryside.
Alleppey
is a famous trade centre of ancient times. It is referred
as ' Venice of the East', built on the banks of a network
of canals. It is one of the best-known ports along the
coast of Malabar. The beach here is not as big as the
others. However, north of Alleppey, the Arthunkal beach in
worthy of development as an international holiday resorts.
Alleppey attracts tourists not only by its natural beauty
but also through its locally made coir products that are
of a very superior quality. Watching rural life at close
quarters - the many activities like; toddy tapping,
fishing for small fry, coir-making, prawn farming, and
scores of other sights by a boat trip in a country craft
up and down the narrow canals in the coastal region is
gaining in popularity among the foreign tourists and the
North Indian visitors alike.
Alleppey
is also famous for its Nehru Trophy boat race held every
year. Alappuzha is a bustling, town of ramshackle wood and
corrugalated roof houses, chiefly significant in the Coir
industry and the centre for Backwater Cruises in Kerala.
The Backwaters of Alappuzha can be best experienced in a
country boat. The climate of this small town is temperate
and humid in general and relatively more pleasant in the
winter season. The temperature ranges from 22 to 35°C in
summer and 20 to 32°C during winters. The best time to
visit Alleppey is during the winter season. The months
from August-September and February-March are ideal for a
visit to this place. The backwater cruises in the exotic
houseboats, which also serve Keralian cuisine delicacies,
are an eternal experience.
Access
:
Air
: Nearest
airport is at Kochi, 66 km. away.
Rail :The place is well connected to
Kochi, by rail.
Road :The place is connected to all the
south Indian towns, by a well-developed network of roads. Places
of Interest in Alappuzha : Ambalapuzha:
It is located at a distance of 14 km away from Alleppey.
In its architectural features, the Sree Krishna Temple
confirms the typical Kerala style. The temple is famous
throughout Kerala for 'Palpayasam', that is milk porridge
of exceptional sweetness offered to the deity. Aruthunkal:
Popularly known as St. Sebastian Church, 22 km north of
Alleppey. One of the most important pilgrim centres of
Christians in Kerala, Portuguese missionaries established
this church, which is near Sherthallai. The feast of St.
Sebastian is held here every. Chettikulangara
Bhagvathy Temple: It's
a very famous temple in Alleppey (Alappuzha). The
Kettukazhcha festival at the temple draws large crowds of
devotees. Processions of tall decorated structures on
chariots, brightly decorated effigies of horses and
bullocks and cultural performances make a spectacular
pageant. The Festival here starts in February/March.
 Alleppey
Beach: This is
one of the most popular picnic spots in Alappuzha. The
beach here is spectacular. At one end are the dense palm
groves that are so characteristic of Kerala's landscape.
It has a long sandy beach.
The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137
years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya beach
park add to the attractions of the beach. There is also an
old lighthouse that is greatly fascinating to visitors. Kuttanad:
 Located at the
very heart of the backwaters. Also called the rice bowl of
Kerala because of her wealth of paddy crops. The scenic
countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also
has a rich crop of banana, cassava and yam. This is
perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done
1.5 to 2 m below sea level. Inland waterways that flow
above land level are an amazing feature of this region. Pathiramanal
Island:
 A small
island of Alleppey (Alappuzha) is a favourite haunt of
hundreds of rare migratory birds, which come from
different parts of the world. The island is accessible
only by a boat. This 10-acre island on the backwaters is
home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from
different parts of the world. According to mythology a
young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his
evening ablutions and the water made way for land to raise
from below, thus creating the enchanting island,
Pathiramanal (sands of midnight). Krishnapuram
Palace:
The Palace is located 47 km from Alleppey. Built in 18th
century during the reign of the Travancore monarch,
Marthanda Varma. It is a double storied structure that
displays typical characteristics of Kerala
architecture-gabled roofs, dormer windows, and narrow
corridors.
The 'Ganjendra Moksham' mural that is one of the largest
mural paintings in Kerala is seen on the ground floor of
the Palace. A museum with antique sculptures, paintings
and bronzes is housed inside the building. Champakulam
Church: One of
the seven churches established by St. Thomas in Kerala.
The annual feast at this church falls on the 3rd Sunday of
October every year. The feast of St. Joseph is celebrated
on March 19th. Edathua
Church: Located
at 24 km from Alleppey, on the Alleppey - Thiruvalla Road.
This church was established in 1810 and is dedicated to
St. George. It is believed that prayers and offerings at
this church help to heal all mental disorders and other
ailments. During the annual feast (5th, 6th and 7th of
May) pilgrims from all parts of South India, irrespective
of caste and creed, visit the church and seek the
blessings of the saint. Chavara
Bhavan:
Located at a distance of 6 km from Alleppey, accessible
only by boat.
It is the ancestral home of the blessed Kuriakose Elias
Chavara. It is now a holy shrine and spiritual resort
where thousands of devotees gather for prayer receive
favours and feel amply gratified. Here, a 250-year-old
historically important beacon of light is preserved intact
in its original and primitive form.
Places
of Interest in Alappuzha >> Access
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