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The town was founded by Raja Keshawadasan, Divan of Travanacore in 1762. With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the venice of the east by travellers from across the world, this backwater country is also home to diverse animal 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.
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Today, Alappuzha (Alleppey) has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, & also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.
The town was founded by Raja Keshawadasan, Divan of Travanacore in 1762. With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty.
Referred to as the Venice of the east by travellers from across the world, this backwater country is also home to diverse animal 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 (Alleppey) has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, & also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.
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Alleppey is one of the most important tourist centers in the state. A large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. Alleppey was one of the busiest centers of trade in the past with one of the best known ports along the malabar coast. Even today it retains its charm as the centre for Coir carpet industries and prawn farming. Alleppey the ideal headquarters for backwater tourism as well as for visits to the lovely church filled town of Kottayam, and the town of Aranmula, famous for its historic Aranmula Snake Boat Race which is an annual event. |
Alleppey is also known for its spectacular snake - boat races held on the second Saturday of August, every year. The Hindu temple, opposite the Indian Coffee House, is worth a look although, as a non-Hindu, you won't be allowed inside.Alleppey has a lengthy but filthy beach. It's a fine example of an elaborately carved wooden South Indian temple somewhat reminiscent of those in Nepal. |
By Air - Cochin is the nearest is airport i.e. 64 kms, its and international airport so well connect to the other major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad etc. Another option is Trivandrum airport i.e. 159 km south of Alleppey. |
| By Rail - Alleppey Railway Station. Connected by rail with Cochin and Trivandrum. |
| By Road - Well connected by road (NH-47). Trivandrum - Alleppey : 160 km, Cochin - Alleppey : 70 km. |
| By Water - Connected with Cochin (5 1/2 hrs), Quilon (8 hrs) and Kottayam (2 1/2 hrs) |
| Tourist Places In Alappuzha |
| Alappuzha Beach |
Alappuzha beach is one of the most popular spots in the district of Alappuzha. Its beautiful garden on the shore gives an exclusive sight. Imposing buildings of a colonial past overlook the shore. The pier, which extends into the sea is more than 140 years old and is a rare sight. Dense Palm groves at one end and an ancient towering light house at the other, Vijay Park and Sea view park are all spectacular sights one should never miss. Boating Facility is available in both Parks.
Facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park: Boating, a children’s park with toy train and bicycles. Open from 1500 - 2000 hours.
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| Ambalapuzha Temple |
Constructed in the typical Kerala architectural style, this temple is famous all over India, and is renowned for the Palpayasam, the daily offering of sweet milk porridge. This temple witnesses the performance of Pallipana by Velans (sorcerers) once every twelve years. Paintings of the Dasavatharam (the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) are displayed on the inner walls of the temple. The ‘ Ottanthullal’, a satiric art form based on social themes was the brain child of the poet Kunchan Nambiar who performed it for the first time in the premises of this temple.
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| Mannarassala |
Mannarassala Sree Nagaraja Temple is a very ancient and internationally-known centre of pilgrimage for the devotees of serpent gods. The temple is located about three kilometers to the south-east of the bus station in N.H.47 at Haripad, in Alleppey district of Kerala. Haripad, a culturally renowned ancient town with prominent role in the history of Central Travancore, is rich with its exquisite green paddy fields, towering coconut palms and serene atmosphere of the adjacent hamlets. The ancient Subrahmanya Swamy Temple in Haripad, which is A View of the Mannarassala Temple one of the renowned Subrahmanya temples of Kerala and a testimonial to the glory of the great Kerala temple architecture, is located on the way to the Mannarassala temple.
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| Q S T and R Block Kayal |
Situated in Kuttanad popularly known as the rice bowl of Kerala, QST & R Block Kayals (backwaters) remind the visitor of the famous dikes of Holland.A striking example of the indigenous agricultural engineering know-how,here cultivation and habitation are made possible at four to ten feet below the sea level.For this purpose extensive land has been reclaimed from the backwaters and is protected by dikes built around it.A leisurely cruise along the canals here is a memorable experience.
Kuttanad is the most beautiful backwaters region of Kerala. It is here that most of the snake boat races are conducted and a majority of the rice boat & houseboat cruises are scheduled. Keralas network of navigable backwaters stretches to over 900km.
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| Kuttanad |
Kuttanad, a stretch of 75 km stands sandwiched between the vast serene sea & the magnificent hills. The bewildering labyrinth of shimmering waterways composed of lakes, canals, rivers & rivulets, is lined with dense tropical greenery and preserves rural Kerala life styles that are completely removed from the buzz of city life . The views change from narrow canals and dense vegetation to open vistas and dazzling green paddy fields.
The sweeping Network of canals honey-combing the town of Alappuzha has earned the sobriquet, "THE VENICE OF THE EAST". Do not miss out on a ride into Kuttanad through shimmering, green paddy fields and tail-waging, head-bobbing groups of ducks. The Coir workers too present an interesting sight.
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