Alappuzha (Alleppey) with its placid backwaters is popularly known as "the Venice of the East". This natural beauty of Alappuzha is a treat to our five senses with the criss-crossing canals, fertile paddy fields, lagoons and the majestic coconut farms spread all over the area. The architectural heritage, long stretches of beach and winding canals along the Vembanad together give this palace an alluring quality. The world famous Nehru Trophy boat race conducted at the Alappuzha Punnamada Lake every year is an added attraction of this destination
Alappuzha had its heyday as a commercial hub when Dewan Raja Keshavdas in 1775-76, built it to be a major port of the erstwhile Travancore state. With the establishment of the first coir factory, Alappuzha soon became the power centre of the coir trade. Apart from that Alappuzha became the home of the trade union movement. All those early settlers and Britishers as well have left their legacy in the form of numerous old mansions and trading houses designed in a distinctive architectural style. Preferably located as a base for backwater cruising, Alappuzha attracts visitors all year round for that singular experience. The specialty of Alappuzha is that we can see this fairyland by travelling through boat. Even today local people choose the water transportation to travel from one place to another though there are buses and trains. The distinctive culture and natural beauty make this charming land magical.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Location: It is midway between Kochi and Kollam, A brief stretch of land touching shores with the Arabian Sea, Alappuzha district, Central Kerala.
Climate/ Best Time to Visit: The summer months over here are generally hot however the monsoon cools things down. September to February is considered the best time to visit Alappuzha however monsoon breaks during June-July are also popular here.
Good to know: The snake boats which we now use to peacefully discover the backwaters and race in the boat races were actually invented to transport soldiers during wars between erstwhile kings. These boats used to carry hundreds of soldiers.
WHAT TO SEE AROUND:
Kuttanad: Kuttanad is said to be the 'Rice bowl of Kerala' which is like a gem in the crown of Alappuzha. The most important occupation here is farming. Rice is the main agricultural product. The scenic countryside here displays a rich crop of bananas, yams and cassava. This is one of the rare places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Most of the area is drenched throughout the year. Three rivers, namely Pampa, Manimala and Achankovil, intersect the length and breadth of Kuttanad.
Vembanad Lake: A leisurely houseboat ride from Alappuzha on the Vembanad Lake is the best way to discover this stretch of backwaters. You get a real feel of the rural Kuttanad culture as the boat travels slowly through the narrow canals which are the lifelines of the locals here. The first stop on your trip around the lake is R Block. This is a piece of tilted land of about 3000 acres where cultivation is done uniquely at a level below sea level. As you leave the R-Block a tiny speck of land called the Pathiramanal (Midnight Sand) looms at the distance in the endless expanse of the lake. The island is said to have a long story associated with it. A lot of action occurs at the Pathiramanal in the evenings. The sunset view from Pathiramanal is amazing. Vembanad offers a cruise of a lifetime!
Alappuzha Beach: Alappuzha beach is a rather sedate and plebian unlike many other counterparts in Kerala. The beach is well kept and the promenade is packed during the evenings by people who wish to catch a glimpse of the heavenly sunset here. There is also a statue of a fisher woman cradling a baby her arms.
Krishnapuram Palace Museum: Maharaja of Travancore, Marthanda Varma, set this up as a small model of Padmanabhapuram Palace in Thiruvananthapuram. It is now an archaeological museum that stores the mural paintings and other antiques which include a Sanskrit Bible, pooja ceremony utensils and oil lamps and many more. There is a three metre high mural that depicts Gajendra Moksha, the Puranic story of the Hind mythology when Lord Vishnu rescued the elephant Gajendra from the clutches of a crocodile.
Thakazhi Museum and Smiritimandapam: Thakazhi museum cum memoriam hall was constructed in the memory of the late Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, the famous writer who won the Jnanpeeth awards in1984, and whose contributions to Malayalam literature include 35 novels and 600 short stories
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PILGRIM CENTERS:
Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple: Very few temples have the good fortune of possessing idols that are made by God. In Kerala, it is believed that there are three such god-made idols of Krishna- at Guruvayoor, Thripunithura and Ambalapuzha. At this legendry temple at Ambalapuzha, Krishna is worshipped in the infant avatar. Portraiture of the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu adorns the inner walls of the chuttambalam (temple). Once in every 12 years, sorcerers perform the pallipana ritual. The temple is very famous for its 'Palpayasam' (a delicious milk porridge) given to devotees after offering it to the God. Ottan Thullal, the satirical art form created by poet Kunjan Nambiar was first performed here at Ambalapuzha temple.
Chakkulathukavu Bhagavati Temple: Chakkulathukavu Devi temple is popularly known as the "Sabarimala of Women" as the Goddess Vanadurga, who is the presiding deity, has a special empathy for women and children and the temple is always crowded with women devotees. This historic temple is situated on the border of Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, the famous rivers Pamba and Manimala flow on the either side of the temple. Naaripooja is the main event in the annual 'Pandrandu noyambhu' (12 days fasting) festival. Every year hundreds of devotees witness the ritual of washing the feet of a women which upholds the verses of Manusmiriti (holy book) that tells 'wherever women are being worshipped, there will be glory and prosperity'.
Chettikulangara Bhagavati Temple: Chettikulangara Devi temple is yet another grand and renowned temple of Kerala. The presiding deity here is an incarnation of Bhadrakali who is supposed to have great powers and there are many miraculous stories relating to the deep feeling bestowed by the deity on her devotees. We can see in front of the sanctum – sanctorum an 11 feet high and 13- tier stone lamp that is capable of holding a thousand wicks. It is said to be the largest and most elaborate lamp in India. The main annual festival is the Bharani festival which is marked with special rituals like Kudiyattom.
Mannarshala Temple: Mannarshala Sree Nagaraja Temple is a unique temple which has snakes as God and Goddesses. It has a number of snakes living in the compound. It has over 30,000 images of snake God in and around the temple. Children and couples visit this place to seek the blessings of the snake god. There are also many auspicious rituals for making offerings to snake god. These temples can only be found in Kerala. Festival at Mannarshala is the Ayilyam of Thulam [Thulam is the third month of the Malayalam calendar between mid – October and mid – November.]
ACTIVITIES & THINGS TO DO
Houseboat Cruise: Travelling on the specially designed houseboat along the calm waters of the Vembanad Lake is one of the most unique experiences on offer at Alappuzha. The food on the houseboats to put it mildly is exquisite!
Village Tour: A leisurely walk or cycling through the myriad hamlets is the best way to experience rural Alapuzha in all its beauty. The vistas of paddy fields and small cottage industries making coir out of coconut fibre are things you are likely to encounter. You could also spend time at the local toddy shop experiencing the local alcoholic beverage and taste the exquisite cuisine in these small shops.
Boat Races: Backwaters host many special events during August to September. The electrifying races by carved wooden boats set the backwaters on fire. Boat races are held in connection with Onam, the harvest festival in August/September. Scores of long snake boats and other smaller crafts participate in these events. The largest team sport in the world, the snake boat races are preceded by colourful water parades
HOW TO REACH
By Air: Alappuzha does not have an airport of its own; the most convenient airport is Kochi is nearly 2 hours drive from here. Kochi has a very good air network and is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, and Kolkata.
By Road: Alappuzha is on NH 47 connecting Salem and Kanyakumari. A good network of roads connects Alappuzha to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram in turn are linked by road to all the prominent cities in South India
By Rail: Alappuzha has a railway station of its own. Regular trains ply between Trivandrum and Alappuzha. Trivandrum again has train connection to the major places throughout the country.
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