Alleppey Travel Guide

Area                 : 1256 sq. km.
Altitude            : Sea level

With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes lagoons and fresh water rivers criss-crossing it Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty.
This is a major centre for backwater cruises and also the states coir industry and cashew nuts. A large network of canals passes through the town and there is a long sandy beach. Referred to us the Venice of the East by travellers from across the world this backwater country is also home to diverse animals and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races houseboat holiday resorts beaches marine products and coir industry

A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. The land of lush paddy fields Kuttanad is called the rice bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level.

The fairly pleasant market town is built on canals and surrounded by coconut trees. A walk through the streets presents many examples of Keralan architecture. In August the annual Nehru Cup Snake Boat race is not be missed. A host of boat races are held during the harvest season. It was here that traders from across the seven seas came in search of black gold and souvenirs.

Places of attractions

Backwaters

Kuttanad: Kuttanad is also known as the rice bowl of Kerala because of its wealth of paddy crops. It is located in the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside here yields a rich crop of bananas yams and cassava. This is one of the places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above the land level is an amazing feature of this unique land.

Pathiramanal: According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vemband Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below thus creating the enchanting island of Pathiramanal (sands of midnight). This little island on the backwaters is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. The island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom and is accessible only by boat.

Backwater Cruises: Alappuzha is the starting point of backwater boat trips. Daily backwater tours of the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) .The most popular cruise is the eight-hour trip between Kollam and Alappuzha. Alappuzha Tourism Development Cooperative Society: Alappuzha-Kollam: 1030 hrs. (8 hr.trip).

Beaches

Alappuzha Beach : This is one of the most popular picnic spots in Alappuzha. The pair which extends into sea here is about 140 years old.

Monuments/Pilgrim Centres

Ambalappuzha (14 kms. south of Alappuzha ): The Sree Krishna Temple here is built in the typical Kerala architecture style and is famous all over Kerala for its Palpayasam –the daily offering of a deliciously sweet milk porridge which tastes like rice pudding. It is also in this temple that Pallipana is performed by Velans (sorcerers) once in twelve years. Human sacrifices were conducted in ancient times. However cocks have now replaced humans on the sacrificial altar.

Mannarasala (32 kms. south of Alappuzha) This shrine is dedicated to serpents and is situated near Harippad. According to a legend the first priestess of Mannarasala gave birth to a five-headed serpant which is believed to reside in the ancestral home to safeguard the family. The temple is under to patronage of a Brahman family headed by a priestess. At Mannarasala barren women are believed to be blessed with children and a special turmeric paste available at the shrine is credited with powers to cure even leprosy.

Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple Mavelikkara: The Kettukazhcha festival at this temple draws large crowds of devotees. Processions of tall decorated structures on chariots brightly decorated effigies of horses and bullocks and natural performances make a spectacular pageant.( Festival-February/March).

Krishnapuram Palace : Built by Marthanda Varma this palace at Karthikapally is famous for its mural depicting the story of Gajendramoksham. Dating back to the 18th century this exquisite piece of art is one of the largest murals in Kerala. The palace museum houses antique sculptures paintings and bronze.