Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey, is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. Alappuzha is situated 28 km from Changanssery, 46 km from Kottayam and 53 from Kochi and 155 kilometres (96 mi) north of Trivandrum. A town with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons, it was described as the one of the places known as the “Venice of the East” by Lord Curzon. Hence, it is known as the “Venetian Capital” of Kerala. Malayalam is the most spoken language. Hindi, English and Tamil are also spoken in the town. Along with Kumarakom, Alappuzha is among the most famous destination of Backwaters in kerala.
Alappuzha is an important tourist destination in India. The Alleppey Backwaters are the most popular tourist attraction in Kerala. A houseboat cruise in these backwaters can be booked. It connects Kumarakom and Cochin to the North and Quilon to the South. This is also one of the ideal weekend getaways from Kochi & Trivandrum and also one of the best Kerala tourist places.
Alleppey was founded by the Diwan of Travancore, Raja Keshawadasan in 1762. In the past, Alappuzha port was amongst the busiest trade centers and traded with the Persian Gulf regions and even Europe. It is considered to be the oldest planned city in this region and the lighthouse built on the coast of the city is the first of its kind.
1. Alappuzha Beach
Alappuzha Beach is a beach in Alappuzha town and a tourist attraction in Kerala, India. Beach has an old pier which extend to sea is over 150 years old. Alappuzha beach host many events annually like Alappuzha beach festival, Sand art festival and many more.
Alappuzha beach is one of the major tourist spot in Alappuzha town. Alappuzha lighthouse situated near to the beach. Beach is accessible through various town roads and an elevated highway will passing by the beach as part of Alappuzha bypass in order to preserve the beauty of the area. Camel safaris was another attraction in beach which introduced a couple of years ago but it got banned by authorities. Alappuzha beach festival is a famous event organised as part of new year celebration. It's organised as an annual event in every year. Thousands of people gathers in the event includes from other district.
2. Alleppey Backwater Cruises
Alappuzha is a magnificent destination in Kerala with mix of Backwaters and Beach. Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey is situated on the shores of Arabian Sea close to the banks of Vembanad Lake. Alappuzha or Alleppey is among the most famous destination of backwaters in Kerala and also one of the top tourist places in Kerala.
Along with Kumarakom, Alappuzha is among the most famous destination of backwaters in kerala. A houseboat cruise in these backwaters is a delightful experience. It connects Kumarakom and Cochin to the North and Kollam to the South. The never-ending panorama of lush green paddy fields, towering coconut trees, shimmering water and long canals around Alappuzha make it a delightful destination.
3. Kuttanad
Kuttanadu is a region covering the Alappuzha and Kottayam Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. Kuttanad is breathtakingly beautiful. Kuttanad is also popular as an ideal place for Kerala backwaters trip in a houseboat. It is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Kochi & Alappuzha. Kuttanad is one of the very few places in the world where farming is done below the sea level.
4. Sri Krishna Temple
Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is a Hindu temple in Ambalappuzha, Alapuzha district of Kerala, in south India. The Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is believed to have been built during 15th — 17th AD by the local ruler Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal- Devanarayanan Thampuran.
The idol at Ambalapuzha is likened to Parthasarthi with a whip in the right hand and a Shankhu in the left. This temple is directly associated to the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple. During the raids of Tipu Sultan in 1789, the idol of Sri Krishna from the Guruvayoor Temple was brought to the Ambalappuzha Temple for safe keeping. It kept safely for 12years.
The payasam served in the Ambalappuzha Temple is famous among Hindu devotees. This sweet pudding made of rice and milk has an interesting mythological legend behind it.It is believed that Guruvayoorappan reaches here daily at the time of Palpayasa Nedyam to have it.
5. Kumarakom
Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Also known as the Queen of Vembanad, Kumarakom is the most famous Kerala backwaters destination for traditional houseboat ride and it is among the most visited Tourist places in kerala state. This is also one of the ideal weekend getaways from Kochi & Trivandrum.
The name Kumarakom was derived from the deity of an old temple Kumaran. Arundhati Roy, author of the 1997 Booker Prize-winning The God of Small Things, was raised in the nearby Aymanam village. In order to protect the ecology of the place, the Kerala government has declared Kumarakom as a special tourism zone.
The best time to visit Kumarakom is from October-March while the peak season is September & November to February. Post monsoon is the best season for bird watching. Backwater cruising is prohibited during peak monsoons. It usually takes 1-2 days to explore the important places in Kumarakom.
6. Nehru Trophy Boat Race
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race held in Punnamada Lake is the most competitive and popular boat race of Kerala. The race is held on second Saturday of August every year. The boat race was introduced in 1952 to celebrate Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's Alappuzha visit. Several snake boats participate in the competition, each representing different village of Kuttanad region. Each boat is accompanied by about 150 oarsmen, showcasing their skills on 1.5 KM race track. Around 200,000 visitors including foreign tourists participate in these breathtaking celebrations.
Martin Wynn
