Alappuzha
Alleppey is a town surrounded by coconut palm trees at the start of the
backwaters. This place is Famous for the Snake boat which takes place every year
on 14 August. From here one Can take a Backwater trip to Kollam.14km from
Alleppey is Ambalapuzha, there is a Shree Krishna temple here. Arthunkal is a
pilgrim center known for St.Andrews church built by Portuguese Missionaries. The
Church is popularly known as St.Sebastain's church.
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Population
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2,65,000
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Languages
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Malayalam and English
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Best time to visit
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August to March
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STD Code
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0477
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THE TOWN IN BRIEF
Alappuzha (Alleppey) is one of the exotic backwater
sites of India's southern state Kerala. Washed by the Arabian Sea,
interlocked by a number of canals and bridges, this tiny marketplace is
also famous for its Nehru Trophy boat race held every year. Alappuzha
attracts tourists not only by its natural beauty but also through its
locally made coir products that are of a very superior quality.
PHYSIOGRAPHY
Separated out from the former districts of Kottayam and
Quilon, Alappuzha consists of seven taluks spread over an area of 1414 sq
km. It is bounded by Kochi and Kanayannur taluks on its north; Vaikom,
Kottayam, Changanassery Thiruvalla, Kozhencherry and Adoor taluks on its
east; Kannathur and Karunagappally taluks on its south and the exotic
Lakshadweep of the Arabian Sea on its west.
TIME TO TAKE THAT TRIP
The climate of this small town is temperate and humid
in general and relatively more pleasant in the winter season. The
temperature ranges from 22 to 35°C in summer and 20 to 32°C during
winters. The best time to visit Alappuzha is during the winter season. The
months from August-September and February-March are ideal for a visit to
this place. The backwater cruises in the exotic houseboats, which also
serve Keralan cuisine delicacies, are an eternal experience. The Nehru
Trophy boat race is the major attraction of this place, which is held
during Onam festival celebrated in the month of August. The festivities of
the Mullakal temple during the month of December are highly recommended as
some of India's finest temple musicians perform in the main hall during
this festival. Besides these, the locally made coir and carpets of coconut
fibers are also attracting tourists these days.
KNOWING ITS PAST
Before the Dutch took over this place, the Portuguese
were the predominant rulers of this place. Later Maharaja Marthandavarma
came into power and he gave ample importance to the developmental works of
the place. Slowly it became a very busy commercial place attracting
merchants from all over. This resulted in the establishment of a number of
coir factories producing coir-related goods of quality. The first coir
factory was developed by an English sea captain and soon others followed
suit. The first Anglican Church was built in 1816 by the Christian
missionaries whose headquarter was in Alappuzha.
Some of the most important sites to visit in and around
Alappuzha are
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Punnamada Kayal, the must-visit place of
Alappuzha where the annual Nehru Trophy boat race takes place.
During the month of August-September, the backwaters become crowded
with thousands of spectators and a large number of competitors who
come to participate in the famous Nehru Trophy boat race. The long
boats, designed to resemble snakes, can accommodate 120 people,
making two rows of 60 each. The energy, coordination, and the
feeling of getting ahead in the competition make this game quite
engrossing.
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Krishnapuram Temple, the two-storied building,
displays the typical Keralan style of architecture. The largest
mural painting, Gajendra Miksham, is displayed in a museum here.
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Ambalapuzha Temple, where Lord Krishna is
worshipped, is also an important place to visit. Here one can see
the typical temple architecture and culture of Kerala along with the
chance to taste the Keralan delicacy, payasam, which is served to
the visitors during the festival times of March/April.
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St. Andrew's Church, established by the
Portuguese missionaries, celebrates the feast of St. Sebastian in a
fun-filled, festive way.
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Situated in the heart of the town, Mullackal
Temple, dedicated to goddess Rajarajeswari, is also a place worth
visiting.
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Surrounded by thick-green forests, Mannarasala
Sree Nagaraja Temple is a holy place where the king of serpents is
worshiped. Number of devotees from all over India and abroad visit
this place every year.
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The Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple is believed
to have miraculous powers and hence visited by number of pilgrims
every year.
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Kottamkulangara Mahavishnu Temple and Devi Temple
are the oldest temples of Alappuzha and are sites worth visiting,
especially during the time of festivals.
INDULGING IN SOME GOOD BARGAINS
- Among the locally available products of Alappuzha are
the coir products and carpets. The fine quality, variety and reasonable
price tag make these products stay high in the demand list of tourists.
- Besides Alappuzha is also famous for its pepper, coconut oil, areca nut,
cardamon, sugar, etc. Several markets are available in Alappuzha, though
the market of Kayamkulam is most important.
GETTING THERE
- Alappuzha is accessible by all the means of
communication.
- The nearest airport 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.
- National Highway 47 goes through Alappuzha connecting
it with almost all the nearby places of South India. A number of buses ply
to Alappuzha.
- This exotic place is also well connected through
waterways. It is linked by boat and ferry services through the scenic
backwaters to Cochin, Kottayam, Kevalam, Chenganassery and Chengannur.
WHERE TO STAY
- Alappuzha is well equipped with the various types of
accommodation facilities. Starting from luxurious hotels to reasonably
cheap dormitories, all are available in this place.
WHERE TO EAT
- The restaurants and local eateries provide all kinds of
eatables starting from country-specific to local south Indian delicacies.
Seafood is also one of the special attractions of the beachside eateries.
INFORMATION
- The Alappuzha Tourism Development Corporation has its
office in the most accessible places of Alappuzha from where the tourists
can get information related to the place.
- The nearest airport of Kochi has the facility of
advance booking of the tickets just like the railways. Ernakulam railway
station has a number of trains running to the nearby major places.
Alappuzha is also well connected through the state bus services of the
nearby states. The backwaters of Alappuzha are also well linked with the
other nearby places having waterways. Frequent ferry and boat services
make the water transport easier and the scenic beauty of the place makes
it more attractive for adventure.
- Facilities for tourists like post office, faxes, email
services, chemists and hospitals and tourist guides, all are available at
the nearest proximity.
- While visiting the place the tourists should avoid the
summer season, as the climate of this region becomes highly humid and hot,
making it uncomfortable to travel.
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