| Alappuzha(Alleppey)
Alappuzha is a Land Mark between the
broad Arabian sea and a net work of rivers flowing into it.In the early first decade of the 20th Century
the then Viceroy of the Indian Empire, Lord Curzon made a visit in the State to Alleppey
now Alappuzha. Fascinated by the Scenic beauty of the place,
in joy and amazement,he said,"Here nature has spent up on the land her richest bounties”. In his exhilaration, it is said, he exclaimed, “Alleppey, the Venice of the East”. Thus the sobriquet found its place in the
world Tourism Map. The presence of a port and a pier, criss -cross roads and numerous bridges across them, a long and
unbroken sea coast might have motivated him to make this comparison.
Alleppey has a wonderful
past. Though the present town owes its existence to the sagacious Diwan Rajakesavadas in the second half of 18th century,
District of Alappuzha figures in classified Literature. Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala with the unending stretch of paddy
fields, small streams and canals with lush green coconut palms , was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam
age. History says Alappuzha had trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome in B.C and in
the Middle Ages.
Water carnivals using the
gigantic snake boats and the country canoes of varying strata have an important role in the community life of the people of
the district.
As the district has got a vast spread of lakes and canals, there is wide potential for lake side tourism
and inland fisheries.
Alappuzha is already one of the major tourism spots in the tourism map of Kerala.
Known as
the 'Venice of East', with the Arabian Sea in the West and a large number of lakes and lagoons crisscrossing it, Alappuzha
is one of the most beautiful districts in Fascinating Kerala. Famous for a horde of things, Alappuzha stands out for its breathtakingly
amazing beach and enchanting Backwaters. This beach along with its famous backwater Houseboats and Boat races attracts thousands
of tourists every year.
 Earlier known an Alleppey,
it is now famous for the Snake Boat Races held here every year around the time of the Onam festival. Fun, frolic and entertainment
are at their peak during the boat races held at the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. You can enjoy the exhilarating snake boat
races of Alappuzha every year on Fascinating Alappuzha Backwaters Tours, Kerala.
Sailing
in a Kettuvalam (Houseboat) along the Backwaters of Alappuzha is an experience one cannot forget for a lifetime. A singular
characteristic of this land is a region called Kuttanad. Kuttanad, also known as the 'Rice Bowl of Kerala', is the only place
perhaps where farming is done below the sea level. The scenic countryside here is a rich crop of bananas, yams and cassava.
Kuttanad stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the hills and are one of the best Backwaters of Kerala
General Information
Area: 1414 Sq. Km. District
 Population: 1,909,603.
Climate: Tropical Humid.
Altitude: 0 feet Above Sea Level.
Temperature:Summer:
Max: 35°C
Min: 22.5°C
Winter : Max: 32°C
Min: 20°C
Rainfall: 299 cm (annual).
Clothing: Tropical cotton.
Languages:
Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, English
Best to visit: August –
March
Boundaries: Arabian sea on the
West
Time : GMT - 5.30 hrs = IST
Religions : Hindu, Christian,
Muslim
Tel access code: +91 477
Electricity : 220 volts, 50Hz
Accommodation : Hotels range from 5 star to tourist
lodges.
Smoking : Smoking in public places are prohibited by law.
Accessing Alappuzha
Alappuzha is accessible by all
the means of communication.
The airport nearest to Alappuzha is Kochi at a distance of 64 km north. The Trivandrum
airport is located 159 km south of Alappuzha.
Cities like Cochin, Chennai, Howrah, Bangalore and Bokaro are well connected
to Alappuzha by rail.
National Highway 47 goes through Alappuzha connecting it with almost all the nearby places of
South India.
Alappuzha is also well connected through waterways. Alappuzha is linked by boat and ferry services through
the scenic backwaters to Cochin, Kottayam, Kavalam, Changanassery and Chengannur.
Air: Nearest international airports:
Thiruvananthapuram(150 km); Kochi(Nedumbassery) (85 km)
Rail: Railway enquiry Ph
2253965, Road: KSRTC enquiry: Ph: 2252501
Ferry services: Enquiries: Ph:
2252015 SWTD (public boat service enquiry): Ph: 2252510
Tourist information offices:
District Tourism Promotion Council Ph: 2251796/
2253308 Fax:2252720
Email: alp_dtpcalpy@sancharnet.in
Tourist Information Office, Dept. of Tourism
Ph: (+91 477) 2260722
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PLACES OF INTEREST
There are several
places of tourist interest in and around Alappuzha
The
interesting places of attraction for the tourists are Punnamada Kayal where Nehru Trophy Boat Race takes place every year and Pathiramanal which is a beautiful Island in Vembanad lake.
The boat journey in Kuttanad taluk is a fascination for the foreign tourists.
District
Alappuzha dan be proud of being the cradle of boat races. all the important boat races, namely the Nehru Trophy boat
Race at Punnamada, the Payippad near Haripad, the Thiruvandoor, Neerettupuram, Karuvatta and Thaikkoottam boat races are held
on or around the Onam holidays at different parts of the district. Thousands of people from all parts of the world come and
witness these races.
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.
 MULLAKKAL TEMPLE
It is dedicated
to the Goddess Rajarajeswari. The nine day 'Navarathri' festival is celebrated twice a year and is of special significance
to the people of Alappuzha. Another important festival of the temple is 'Thaipooyakavadi'.
 PATHIRAMANAL (An Island) This is a small beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake This little island
on the backwaters is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of world. The island lies
between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat
AMBALAPPUZHA
( Pilgrim Centre) 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.
 KARUMADI: Situated 3 km east of Ambalapuzha, this village is
known for its 10th century Karumadikkuttan statue, a black granite figure of the great Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. There
are many interesting legends connected to this idol
 MANNARASALA Sree Nagaraja Temple This beautiful temple dedicated
to the King of Serpents is located near Haripad on the Alleppey-Quilon route on a panoramic site of thick green forest measuring
about 16 acres . It is a place of worship visited by large number of devotees from all over India.
 St. ANDREW'S CHURCH Arthunkal, one of the
sacred churches in Kerala, attracts lakhs of devotees both Christians and non-Christians every year from all parts of the
State. The feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated on a grand scale for eleven days in a year.
 PUNNAPRA A short distance from Alappuzha is Punnapra, a
village which has gone down in history as the scene of a bitter and heroic fighting between the communists and Travancore State Police in the Punnapra Vayalar Communist
uprising of 1946. These are the memorial of the martyrs located in Alappuzha near Kalarcode.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
POLICE Control Room : 100, 2237669
FIRE
: 101. 2239086
HOSPITALS
District Hospital : 2251408, 2253453
Medical College Hospital : 2239792, 2282126
Sahrudaya
Hospital : 2239795
PHARMACY
Archana Medicals : 2261385
Curewell
Medicals: 2260208
Jeeja Medicals : 2251819 | |
