Alappuzha Backwaters
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Alappuzha "Venice of the East", figures prominently on the tourist trail as one of the major centers for backwater boat trips, served by ferries to Kollam and Kottayam in particular. One of the best-known ports along the coast of Malabar, it is often referred to as the 'Venice of the East'. Alappuzha has the peculiar geographical feature of having the water in level with the land. This gives the advantage of getting a closer look at the village life on shore while on a backwater ride. Sailing along in a 'Kettuvallom' through the enchanting backwaters of Alappuzha is sure to rob your heart. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either sides of the canals are sights one can never forget. One can glimpse Chinese fishing nets, flocks of ducks swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky. It is as close as one can get to feel the vibrant life in the countryside of God's own country. With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty.
Alappuzha is an alluring town with its lovely lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers. Referred to as the ‘ Venice of the East’, this town is laced with a network of canals and is famous for its boat races, houseboats, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Alappuzha is home to some diverse animal and bird life too. The rich crop of bananas, yams and cassava is yet another feature of Alappuzha.
With the Arabian Sea on the West and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and freshwater rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the 'Venice of the East' by travellers from across the world, this backwater country is also home to diverse 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 Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha 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. The rice-bowl of Kerala, Kuttanad is perhaps the only place in the world where farming is done below sea level.
Referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers from across the world, this backwater country is also home ot 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, Alappauzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha 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.
The 75 km long sparkling network of rivers, canals, lakes, lagoons and tiny streamlets between Quilon and Cochin and beyond to Thiruvananthapuram, of which the Kuttanad (Backwaters) comprises of, are akin to a tropical land of canals. This bewildering labyrinth of shimmering waterways composed of lakes, canals, rivers and rivulets is lined with dense tropical greenery and preserves Kerala lifestyles that are completely hidden by road. Called the rice bowl of Kerala, because of her wealth of paddy crops is at the very heart of the backwaters. Yams and cassava which accompany the rice bowl as "side dishes". This is the one of the places in the world where farming is done below sea level (1.5 - 2 meters below sea level). Inland waterways that flow above the land level is an amazing feature of this land. Kuttanad is the heart of the backwaters of Kerala. This beautiful countryside with its waterways also has a rich crop of banana, Cassava and yam. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of bananas. Alleppey (Alappuzha) has a large network of canals and is the centre for backwater cruises in Kerala. Alappuzha (Alleppey) is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerala as one of the major centers for backwater boat trips This 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.
This little island on the backwater is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different part of the world. The island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat.
Alappuzha is an alluring town with its lovely lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers. Referred to as the ‘ Venice of the East’, this town is laced with a network of canals and is famous for its boat races, houseboats, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Alappuzha is home to some diverse animal and bird life too. The rich crop of bananas, yams and cassava is yet another feature of Alappuzha.
With the Arabian Sea on the West and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and freshwater rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the 'Venice of the East' by travellers from across the world, this backwater country is also home to diverse 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 Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha 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. The rice-bowl of Kerala, Kuttanad is perhaps the only place in the world where farming is done below sea level.
Referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers from across the world, this backwater country is also home ot 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, Alappauzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha 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.
Alappuzha Backwater Destinations
Sea View Park
This park offers boating facilities and has a swimming pool. Pedal boats, round boat, etc can be hired here for rides.Alappuzha Beach
Alappuzha beach is a busy picnic spot for local people living in the hinterlands as well as for the urban residents. The pier, which was constructed over 140 years ago and the lighthouse, which has been guiding sailors in the sea are also attractions. There are entertainment facilities in the Vijaya beach park.Kuttanad
Kuttanad, in the heart of the backwaters of Alappuzha, owing to its richness of paddy crops, is referred to as the rice bowl of Kerala. The half hour journey by speedboat to the nearby island of Pathiramanal will reveal the range of rare migratory birds that fly from various parts of the world to this spot.The 75 km long sparkling network of rivers, canals, lakes, lagoons and tiny streamlets between Quilon and Cochin and beyond to Thiruvananthapuram, of which the Kuttanad (Backwaters) comprises of, are akin to a tropical land of canals. This bewildering labyrinth of shimmering waterways composed of lakes, canals, rivers and rivulets is lined with dense tropical greenery and preserves Kerala lifestyles that are completely hidden by road. Called the rice bowl of Kerala, because of her wealth of paddy crops is at the very heart of the backwaters. Yams and cassava which accompany the rice bowl as "side dishes". This is the one of the places in the world where farming is done below sea level (1.5 - 2 meters below sea level). Inland waterways that flow above the land level is an amazing feature of this land. Kuttanad is the heart of the backwaters of Kerala. This beautiful countryside with its waterways also has a rich crop of banana, Cassava and yam. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of bananas. Alleppey (Alappuzha) has a large network of canals and is the centre for backwater cruises in Kerala. Alappuzha (Alleppey) is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerala as one of the major centers for backwater boat trips This 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.
Edathua Church
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.Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple - Mavelikkara
The Kettukazhcha festival at this temple draws large crowds of devotees. Processions of tall decorated structures on chriots, brightly decorated effigies of horses and bullocks and cultural performances make a spectacular pageant.Krishnapuram Palace
Built by Marthanda Varma, this palace at Karthikapally in Kayamkulam is famous for its mural depicting the story of Gajendramoksham. The palace museum houses antique sculptures, painting and bronzes. There is a mural painting on the palace walls, depicting the story of "Gajendra-Moksham", which is one of the largest frescoes in Kerala.Pathiramanal
(1.5 hours by motor boat or 30 min. by speed boat from alappuzha): According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vemabanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below, thus creating the enchanting island of Pathiramanal (sands of midnight). An island in the backwaters between Kumarakom and Thanneermukkam, this is a place where migratory birds have been arriving in particular seasons. The mangrove growth in the island is an ideal haven for those birds.This little island on the backwater is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different part of the world. The island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat.
Buddha Idol
A very ancient idol of Budha, known locally as ‘Karumaadikkuttan’ is situated 3 km east of Ambalappuzha town in the coastal area of Alappuzha district. This is proof of the historical fact that Buddhism had spread in Kerala also. Some say that this idol was made in eleventh century. There are legends associated with this curious artifact. There are only very few Buddhists in Kerala now. Ancients Buddhists of Kerala had converted to Hinduism later. Karumadi Idol is not an object of worship any more, but a tourist curiosity.Arthunkal
The Catholic Church at Arthunkal in the name of St. Sebastian is a pilgrim center for a particular denomination of Christians in Kerala. On the occasion of the feast of the saint there are festivities and ceremonies in connection with the saint’s day.
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