Alappuzha/alleppey district is surrounded by Ernakulam district towards the north, Kollam district towards the south and Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts towards the east. Alappuzha or Alleppey is an entrancing region of awe-inspiring natural beauty with the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast tangle of cerulean lakes, serene backwaters and freshwater rivers, is usually referred as the Venice of the East.Alappuzha is one of the exotic backwater sites in the state of Kerala. This city of south India is situated close to the Arabian Sea and is interlocked by a number of canals and bridges. Alappuzha city guide is also famous for its Nehru Trophy boat race held every year. Alappuzha is not only known for its natural beauty but also its locally made coir products that are of a very superior quality.Alleppey city of Kerala is a lovely place to visit. It was named Alappuzha officially, in the year 1990. The town is beautiful and is visited by tourists to relax in serene backwaters. People traveling to Alappuzha usually head straight to the backwaters, beaches and lagoons, which are absolutely synonymous to Paradise. The place is absolutely captivating and you won’t feel like leaving once you come here.Experience the Godly charm of the Alappuzha backwaters with the deep shadows of the tall palms that stand proudly on the banks of the Alappuzha back waters on the glistening waters while you lazily watch your fishing line tailing along your houseboat. Alappuzha backwaters in Kerala, South India is rich with marine life and you will be amazed at the profusion of animal life in Alappuzha in Kerala, South India. Once a year the quiet and tranquil Alappuzha backwaters spring to life at the time of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. The special snake boats that are used for these races are called Chundanvalloms and are large enough to accommodate more than 100 oarsmen at a time.Alappuzha Travel The backwater cruises in the exotic houseboats of Alappuzha serve the best of the cuisines of the state of Kerala.The festivities of the Mullakal temple in Alappuzha city are highly recommended for the performance of some of India’s finest temple musicians. Besides this, the locally made coir and carpets of coconut fibers in Alappuzha are great attraction among tourists these days. There are several places of tourist interest in and around Alappuzha.Punnamada Kayal is the must-visit place of Alappuzha where the annual Nehru Trophy boat race takes place. During the month of August-September, the backwaters become crowded with thousands of spectators and a large number of competitors come to participate in the famous Nehru Trophy boat race.Alappuzha is dotted with temples, highly revered not only in the state but throughout India. Situated in the heart of the town, Mullackal Temple, dedicated to goddess Rajarajeswari, is also a place worth visiting. Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, surrounded by thick-green forests, is a holy place where the king of serpents is worshiped. Number of devotees from all over India and abroad visit this place every year. To get a feel of traditional and typical Keralan style of architecture, the two-storied Krishnapuram Temple, displays the best example. The largest mural painting, Gajendra Miksham, is displayed in a museum here. Typical temple architecture and culture of Kerala can be witnessed in Ambalapuzha Temple, where Lord Krishna is worshipped. During the festival period of March/April, the Keralan delicacy payasam can be savored. The Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple is believed to have miraculous powers and hence visited by number of pilgrims every year. Kottamkulangara Mahavishnu Temple and Devi Temple are the oldest temples of Alappuzha and are sites worth visiting, especially during the time of festivals. And a visit to St. Andrew’s Church, established by the Portuguese missionaries, can give visitors to witness the feast of St. Sebastian.Similarly there are many churches like the Arthunkal Church or the St. Andrews Church here was built by Portuguese missionaries. The annual feast of St. Sebastian is held here in the month of January. Champakulam Church or the St.Mary’s Church was established by St Thomas, it is one of the oldest churches in Kerela.
Location info:
64 Km North of Kochi
Climate/Weather:
Alleppey has a moderate temperate and humid climate in general and becomes more pleasant during the winter season. In summers, Alleppey is humid and hot, making travel a little uncomfortable. The best time to visit Alleppey is from August to March.
History of Alappuzha City (Alleppey):
The Town was founded by Divan of Travanacore – Raja Keshawadasan in 1762. Owing to its propinquity to the sea, the town of Alappuzha previously called Alleppey, has enjoyed a significant position in the nautical history of Kerala. Alappuzha also had a gory past when the Communist activists fought with police in 1946.In the recent days, it has developed as a major backwater tourist centre and is renowned for its pristine beaches, exciting boat races, romantic houseboat holidays and coir industry.
Educational Institutions Alappuzha City (Alleppey):
Crescent Public School Mannanchery, Alappuzha – 688538Naduvattom Vhs School Pullippad, Naduvattom, Alappuzha – 690512Holy Angels English School Pathanamthitta,Central, Edathua, Alappuzha – 689573St Aloysius English Medium School Punnapra, Alappuzha – 688004St Augustines High School Mararikulam North, Arthunkal, Alappuzha – 688530Holy Trinity Idyabhavan Karthikappally, Alappuzha – 690516Sree Narayana Central School Cherukunnam,Thekkekara, Mavelikara, Alappuzha – 690101St James English Medium School Paloothara, Varanam, Alappuzha – 688555Holy Trinity English Medium School Murukkummoodu,K P Rd, Kayamkulam Ho, Alappuzha – 690502
Langauge
The local language spoken here is Malayalam the mother tongue of the people of Kerala known as keralites or Malayalees
Culture:
The Alappuzha boat races are the most popular and an inseparable part of the delightful Kerala culture. The festivals of Kerala form an unbreakable thread that connects the religious traditions of the past with the present. Onam is the most important festival of Kerala and the celebrations that mark this harvest festival are an ideal reflection of the brilliant Kerala culture. Kerala Flexi Tours makes it possible for you to explore the wonderful Kerala culture which includes folk dances, traditional music, temple traditions, vibrant festivals, enigmatic rituals, a bounty of natural beauty and warmth etc.Diffrerent festivals are celebrated at these temples of Alappuzha/alleppey in these monthsMannarasala Serpent Temple, Harippad (October/ November)Chirappu Mahotsavsm, Mullackal Temple (December).Chirappu Mahotsavam, Kidangamparampu Temple (December).Chandanakudam, Kakkazhom Juma Masjid.Arthungal Perunnal (January).Edathuwa Perunnal (May).Thumpoli Church Perunnal.Chettikulangara Kettukazhcha (February / March).
How to reach Alappuzha City (Alleppey)?
Nearest Railway Station:There are railways connected to Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram.
Nearest Airport:You can reach Alappuzha by air. The closest airport is at Cochin, 64 km. The Thiruvananthapuram Airport is 159 km away.
Road Transport: NH 47 passes through Alappuzha. Alappuzha is linked to MC Road by the Changanassery Road.
Tourist Attraction of Alappuzha City (Alleppey)
Ambalappuzha The Sri Krishna Temple at Ambalapuzha, 14 kms from Alleppey is among Kerala’s more famous ones boasting of the typical temple architectural style of the state. It is equally famed for its palpayasam – a sweet milk porridge offered to the diety. The temple’s main festival occurs in March/April. It was in this temple that the 16th century poet Kunjan Nambiar staged his first Ottan Thullal, a solo dance performance with high social content.QST and R block kayal These regions are famous for farming over reclaimed land from the backwaters.Arthunkal Arthunkal known for the St. Andrews Church established by Portuguese missionaries is near Sherthallai, 22 km north of Alappuzha.The feast of St. Sebastian is held here in every January.Nehru Trophy Boat Race The most colourful water sport in Kerala, is conducted at PUNNAMADA LAKE in Alappuzha on the second saturday of every August. This prestigious cultural event of Kerala has been attracting people from all over the world. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a festival for the people of Alleppey the main attraction of which is the sportive sprits among the participants of the race. This trophy named as NEHRU TROPHY was donated by the late Prime Minister of INDIA Jawaharlal Nehru to the winners of the first boat race which was an impromptu one conducted in 1952 in honour of Panditji who visited AlappuzhaPunnamada Lake Lake near alappuzha where the annual nehru trophy boat race is heldKarimadi This town is close to Ambalapuzha. There is a 9 th century black granite statue of Budha (called locally Karimadi Kuttan) which is of historical importanceKuttanad Kuttanad, called the rice bowl of Kerala, because of her wealth of paddy crops is at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of bananas. Yams and cassava which accompany the rice bowl as “side dishes”. This is one of the places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land level is an amazing feature of this unique land.Pathiramanal (14 kilometers from Alappuzha) This little island on the backwaters is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. This island is accessible only by boat.Karumadikuttan Karumadikuttan situated 3km east of Ambalapuzha is the feted 11th century statue of Lord Buddha to which interesting legends are associated.Houseboat Cruises One of the chief attractions of Alappuzha is the houseboat cruises. You can glide through the azure backwaters and enjoy the dreamy, reposeful setting.Krishnapuram Palace The Palace was built in the 18th century during the region of Marthanda Varma. The place display the typical Kerala style of architecture by water of its gable roofs, charmar windows and narrow corridors. There is a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronze articles in the palace. on the western end of the ground floor is a large mural called Gajendra moksha. The palace pool is also nearby. the palace is 47 km from Alleppey at Kayamkulam, on the way to Kollam. Kayamkulam is 41 km away from KollamChavara Bhavan Ancestral home of the blessed Kurikose Elias ChavaraEdathua church Dedicated to St.George established in 1810.Alappuzha beach The Alappuzha beach, with its beautiful garden on the shore, gives an exclusive sight. Imposing buildings of a colonial past overlooks the shore. The long pier which darts over to the sea is a rare sight. Dense Palm groves at one end and an ancient towering light house at the other end. Vijay Park and Sea view park are situated near the beach. Boating Facility is available in both Parks.Krishnapuram Palace He 18th century Krishnapuram Palace built during the reign of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Varma, is a double storied structure which displays typical characteristics of Kerala architecture-gabled roofs, dormar windows, narrow corridors. It houses one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala called the Gajendra Moksham. It measures14 feet by 11 feet and is at the western end of the ground floor, a walking distance from the Palace Pool. Inside is also a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes. Situated 47 kms from Alappuzha on the way to Kollam, Krishnapuram is easily accessible by bus from either town.Karumadi Famous for 9th or 10 century black granite idol of Lord Buddha known as Karumadikuttan.Pandavan Parra The Pandavas of the Mahabarata are said to have stayed in a cave here.Champakulam Church It is one of the ancient churches in Kerala and is believed to have established by St. Thomas. The annual banquet at this church falls on the 3rd Sunday of October and the feast of St. Joseph is observed on March 19th.Light House This lighthouse was built in 1862 and was the first lighthouse raised on the western coast.Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple This temple is located near Harippad ,32 km south of Alappuzha. This age old shrine that is dedicated to serpent God Nagaraja is renowned throughout the world.
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Alappuzha City (Alleppey):
City Tower Hotel Harippadu, Alappuzha-690514Alleppey Prince Hotel Alapuzha North, Alappuzha-688007Royal Indraprastha Hotel Thamarakkulam, Alappuzha-690530Royale Park Hotel Alapuzha Collectorate, Alappuzha-688001Kayaloram Lake Resort Punnamada,Alleppey3 Star Hotel Kayaloram Lake Resort, AlappuzhaKeraleeyam Home and Ayurvedic Resort P.O. Thathampally , Alappuzha , AlleppeySauver Nigam House Boat, Alappuzha Alleppey, , AlleppeyVijaya Hotel Alapuzha Ironbridge, Alappuzha-688011Hotel Raiban Alapuzha Hospital, Alappuzha-688001Arcadia Regency Hotel Alapuzha Collectorate, Alappuzha-688001Ayyans Hotel Anjipadam, Alappuzha-688005The Marari Beach, Alappuzha Mararikulam, , AlleppeyAlleppey Beach Resorts, Alappuzha Hotels Alleppey,AlleppeyRaheem Residency Alapuzha Bazar, Alappuzha-688012Ootuputa Hotel Alapuzha Bazar, Alappuzha-688012
