The Venice of the East

With the Arabian Sea lashing on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alleppey is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers from across the world, this backwater country is also an abode to diverse animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.

Today, Alleppey has grown as an important backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alleppey is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. A land of lush paddy fields, Kuttanad is called the Rice Bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level.

Unique Attractions of Alappuzha
Alappuzha beach
Alappuzha beach is one of the most popular spots in the district of Alappuzha. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is around 140 years old. With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and several freshwater rivers criss-crossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty.

Referred to as the Venice of the East by travellers from across the world, this BackwaterCountry is also home to diverse animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.

Pathiramanal Beach
The little island of Pathiramanal, on the Backwaters is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the land. This island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom and is accessible by boat only. Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi and the Kayamkulam Lake.

The green island thus forms an ideal place for a break in the journey while on a backwater cruise. The mainland Alappuzha has a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers criss-crossing it and is a district of immense natural beauty.

Krishnapuram Palace
The palace is located at a distance of 47 kms, at Kayamkulam, on the way to Kollam. The double storeyed palace contains one of the greatest Mural panels in Kerala. The 18th century Krishnapuram Palace with its gabled roofs, dormer windows, and narrow corridors, built during the reign of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Varma, is a typical example of Kerala Architecture.

Called the Gajendra Moksham, it measures 14 feet by 11 feet and is at the western end of the ground floor, a short distance from the palace pool. Inside is also a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes.

Ambalapuzha Temples
14 kms from Alappuzha (Alleppey), the Sreekrishna Temple here is worth seeing. The temple boasts of its classic temple architecture and its 'Palpayasam' (sweet milk porridge), offered to the deity. The temple's main festival occurs in March/April. It was in this temple that the 16th century poet Kunjan Nabbiar staged his first Ottam Thullal, a solo dance performance based on social themes.

Mannarshala Temple - The Largest Snake Temple in Kerala
Mannarshala covers an area of 16 acres of dense green forest grove devoted to serpent worship. The temple here is unique in that the holy rites are presided over by a priestess. The grove is dotted with the granite idols of serpents. There are 2 main idols: 'Nagaraja' or the serpent king and his consort, Sarpayakshini.

The priestess lives in the 'Illam' on the north side of the temple. 'Uruli Kamazhthal' or the placing of a bell metal vessel upside down in front of the deity is the most popular offering believed to restore fertility to childless couples. Mannarshala temple at Harippad is reputed for having 30,000 images of snake-gods and this is the largest of its kind in the state.

Travel Attractions of Alleppey

Q S T and R Block Kayal
These regions are wonders of the indigenous agricultural engineering know-how of Kerala and remind the visitor of the famous dikes of Holland. Extensive areas of land have been reclaimed from the backwaters and are protected by dikes built all around. Here cultivation and habitation are made possible four to ten feet below sea level. A leisurely cruise along the canals that surround these kayals is a memorable experience.

Chavara Bhavan (6 km from Alleppey. Accessible only by boat)
Chavara Bhavan is the ancestral home of the blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara. It is now a holy shrine and spiritual resort where thousands of devotees gather for prayer receive favors and feel amply gratified. Here, a 250-year-old historically important beacon of light is preserved intact in its original and primitive form.

Edathua Church (24 km from Alleppey, on the Alleppey - Thiruvalla Road)
Established in 1810, the church is dedicated to St. George. It is believed that prayers and offerings at this church help to heal all mental disorders and other ailments. During the annual feast (5th, 6th and 7th of May) pilgrims from all parts of South India, irrespective of caste and creed, visit the church and seek the blessings of the saint.

Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, Mavelikkara: The Kettukazhcha festival at this temple draws large crowds of devotees. Processions of tall decorated structures on chariots, brightly decorated effigies of horses and bullocks and cultural performances make a spectacular pageant. (Festival - February/March)

Festive Moods of Alappuzha

Annual festival of the St. Andrews Forane Church
The annual festival of the St. Andrews Forane Chuch at Arthunkal near Alappuzha is held in the month of January. This ten-day festival held in the name of St. Sebastian is attended by thousands of devotees from all parts of the State.

They express their gratitude by crawling on their knees from the nearby beach to the church. On the last day, a grand religious procession is taken out from the church to the nearby beach.

Festivals in Alappuzha Mannarasala Serpent Temple, Harippad (October/November) Chirappu Mahotsavam, Mullackal Temple (December) Chirappu Mahotsavam, Kidangamparampu Temple (December) Chandanakudam, Kakkazhom Juma Masjid Arthungal Perunnal (January) Edathuwa Perunnal (May) Thumpoli Church Perunnal, Chettikulangara Kettukazhcha (February/March) Boat Races in Alappuzha Alleppey Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada (2nd Saturday of August) Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race (last Saturday of August) Champakulam Moolam Boat Race (Moolam day of Midhunam - July) Payippad Jalotsavam (4th Onam day - August/September) Neerettupuram Boat Race (Onam - August/September).