cochin – Beach Holiday India

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.

Alappuzha or Alleppey is a famous tourist destination in Kerala located about 60 away from Cochin and about 153 km away from Kerala state capital Trivandrum. The city also serves as the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha District. This town is considered as one of the lovely tourist destinations in Kerala with its several exquisite canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons. These natural beauties make the city so attractive that the city some time refers to as the Venice of the East. Being a city very closer to Arabian Sea it has lots of Backwaters which attracts lots of tourists across the world. You will be facilitated with houseboats if ever you come here to discover the beauties of backwaters.

Alappuzha City was under the rule of Chera Dynasty till 12th centuries. There after Zaromins captured this region and latter it went the control of Portuguese up to 17th century. Then the Dutch navigators captured it and finally in 19th century it has gone under the rule of British. Alleppey is traditionally is a Hindu predominant city from its ancient age but some Christian and Muslims also reside here. Majority of population in Alappuzha used Malayalam as main dialect and Tamil and Konkani dialects also used by some natives. English is used for official use mainly but most of the city people more or less understand it.

Climate/Weather:

There have two monsoon season in Alleppey; first one continue from June to September which is called as south west monsoon and another is the North east monsoon which continue during October and November. Usually summer season of the city remains between March to May when the average temperature ranges varies between 28°C to 35°C and the winter season is very light here but perfect for tourism during December to mid March.

How to Reach Alleppey:

Road:

Alappuzha city is connected to other neighboring cities of Kerala like Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kollam, and Trivandrum through the NH-47.Regular buses are also available from nearby cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Mysore, and Coimbatore.

Train:

Alleppey has its own railway station, and is well-connected with cities like Trivandrum, Cochin, and other major cities. The station also offers passage to several other passenger mails plying from cities outside the state.

Air:

Cochin International Airport is less than 100km away from Alleppey, and is well-connected with major Indian cities through regular flights. Visitors from within the country and several international destinations can book a flight to this airport, and hire private taxis or cans to reach Alleppey.

Tourist Attraction of Alappuzha

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.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 Alappuzha

Punnamada Lake
Lake near alappuzha where the annual nehru trophy boat race is held

Karimadi
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 importance

Kuttanad
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 Kollam

Chavara Bhavan
Ancestral home of the blessed Kurikose Elias Chavara

Edathua 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.