Known as the "Venice of East". Great beaches, canals, houseboats in the backwaters, boat race, cashew nuts, coir and carpet industry. Also close to Kumarakom (1 hour), which is world famous for popular resorts like Kumarakom Lake Resort, Coconut lagoon, etc.
Video: Alappuzha
Background:
Alappuzha (Alleppey) is the most famous backwater site of Kerala. Owing to its has numerous canals and excellent water transport system, it is also called 'The Venice of East'.
Washed by Arabian sea on the west side and interlocked by numerous lakes, rivers, canals and bridges, the city attracts tourists for its natural beauty.
The famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamadakayal, which is held on the second Saturday of August every year is the most important boat race in Kerala.
Alappuzha is also well known for its locally made Coir, Carpets, Cashew nut and Prawns farming.
Video: Nehru Trophy boat race
What to see:
Ambalappuzha Shree Krishna temple
Location: 15 Km from Alappuzha
The temple is famous for its typical Kerala style architectural and for 'Palpayasam', a sweet milk porridge which is offered daily to the deity. The main festival of the temple is in the months of March/April.
Alappuzha beach
Location: 5 km from Alappuzha Railway station
This beach is one of the most popular beaches in Kerala. It has a Vijaya Beach Park with entertainment facilities and a light house nearby.
Krishnapuram Palace
Location: at Kayamkulam, 47 km from Alappuzha on the way to Quilon
The 18th century Palace is a double storied structure with typical Kerala architecture of gabled roofs, windows and narrow corridors. It has the Gajendra Moksham, the largest mural painting in Kerala measuring 49 sq m
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm. Monday closed.
Punnamadakayal
Location: 4 km from Alappuzha Bus and Ferry station and 8 km from the railway station
Punnamadakayal is venue of the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Races, which is held every year on the second Saturday of August. These races are the major tourist attraction with thousands of tourists coming to see the spectacle of over 100 oarsmen manning each boat.
Mullackal Temple
Location: Heart of the Alappuzha town.
Mullackal Temple is dedicated to goddess Rajarajeswari and is famous for its 9 days Navratri celebrations. On the evening of the last two days, a large procession with Nine decorated elephants is taken from the temple.
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
Location: 32 km from city, on Alappuzha - Quilon highway near HarippadIt is a beautiful temple dedicated to the serpent God. Surrounded by thick green forests it is famous temple where childless women come to be blessed with children and a special turmeric paste available here is believed to cure Leprosy.
The Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple
Location: 5 km East of Kayamkulam on the Kayamkulam - Mavelikara road
The temple is dedicated to 'Bhadrakali' who is believed to have miraculous powers. It is famous for the Kettukazhcha festival celeberated in February/March in which procession of tall decorated structures on large chariots with decorated effigies of horses and bullocks is taken out.
Pathiramanal (An Island)
Location: Island in the Vembanad Lake
Accessible only by an 1 1/2 hour boat ride from Alappuzha, it is a beautiful island known for the many migratory birds that comes here.
Video: Arriving back from the Alleppey Backwater cruise
Places nearby:
Karumadikkuttan
Location: 17 km from Alappuzha and 3 km east of Ambalapuzha.
Karumadikkuttan (village) is known for its 10th century Karumadikkuttan black granite statue of Buddha.
St. Sebastian Chruch
Location: At Arthunkal, 22 km north of Alappuzha near Cherthala.
It is an important Christian pilgrim place.
St. George Church, Edathua
Location: At Edathua, 24 km from Alappuzha on the Alappuzha - Thiruvalla Road
Established in 1810 the church is dedicated to St. George and is believed to cure mental disorders. The annual feast is celebrated on May 6-14 every year.
The Latin Catholic Church
Location: 1 km from Alappuzha near Kannan Varkey Bridge.
The Latin Catholic Church is one of the oldest churches in Alappuzha. Every Tuesday, special prayers called 'Novena' is held and it is believed that attending the prayer can achieve their desires.
Kuttanad
Is known as rice bowl of kerala because of abundant paddy fields. It is a beautiful countryside in backwaters and is the only region in the world where farming is done 1.5 to 2 m below sealevel.
Video: Super deluxe houseboat
Reaching there:
Air: Nedumbassery Airport at Cochin/Ernakulam (64 km) is the nearest airport. Thiruvananthapuram/ Trivandrum International Airport (159 km) is the nearest International Airport.
Rail: Alappuzha/ Alleppey railway station is well connected with trains from most cities of Kerala and nearby states. The Railway station is 5 km from bus and ferry station.
Road: NH 47 (Salem - Coimbatore - Trichur - Ernakulam - Alappuzha - Trivandrum - Cape - Kanyakumari) is the National Highway passing through Alappuzha.
Excellent network of road connects Alappuzha with other cities and towns of the state. There are regular bus service to Alappuzha from Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore and Coimbatore.
Boat/Ferry: There are boat services available from Quilon (8 hours - service suspended temporarily), Kottayam (2 1/2 hours) and Cochin (2 1/2 half hours).
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