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 and natural beauty. Referred to
as the Venice of the east by travellers from across the
world, this backwater country 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.Today Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater
tourist centre, attracting several thousands of 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 a region called
Kuttanad. A land of lush paddy fields, Kuttanad is also
called the Rice Bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places
in the world where farming is done below sea level. |

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| Krishnapuram
Palace |
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The
18th century Krishnapuram Palace built during the reign
of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Varma, is a double
storied structure which displays typical characteristics
of Kerala architecture-gabled roofs, dormar windows, narrow
corridors. It houses one of the largest mural paintings
in Kerala called the Gajendra Moksham. It measures14 feet
by 11 feet and is at the western end of the ground floor,
a walking distance from the Palace Pool. Inside is also
a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes. Situated
47 kms from Alappuzha on the way to Kollam, Krishnapuram
is easily accessible by bus from either town.. |
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| Pathiramanal
(An Island) |
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This
is a small beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake and is accessible
only by boat from Kumarakom and Muhamma. |
| Ambalappuzha
( Pilgrim Centre) |
The
Sri Krishna Temple at Ambalapuzha, 14 kms from Alleppey
is among Kerala's more famous ones boasting of the typical
temple architectural style of the state. It is equally famed
for its palpayasam - a sweet milk porridge offered to the
diety. The temple's main festival occurs in March/April.
It was in this temple that the 16th century poet Kunjan
Nambiar staged his first Ottan Thullal, a solo dance performance
with high social content. |

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| Karumadi
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| Close
to the Ambalappuzha. the village of Karumadi is famous for its Karumadi
Kuttan, a black granite figure of Buddha said to belong to the 9th
or 10th century
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| Punnapra |
A
short distance from Alappuzha is Punnapra, a village which has
gone down in history as the scene of a bitter and heroic fighting
between the communists and Travancore State Police in the Punnapra
Vayalar Communist uprising of 1946.These are the memorial of the
martyrs located in Alappuzha near Kalarcode.
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| Kuttanad |
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Kuttanad,
is called the rice bowl of Kerala because of its wealth
of paddy crops. It lies at the very heart of the backwaters.
The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways
also has a rich crop of banana, cassava and yam. This perhaps
the only region in the worked where farming is done 1.5
to 2 ms. below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above
land level are an amazing feature of this region.
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| Alappuzha
Beach |
This
is one of the most popular picnic spots in Alappuzha. The pier,
which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment
facilities at the Vijaya beach park add to the attractions of
the beach. There is also an old lighthouse which is greatly fascination
to visitors.
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| Vijaya
Beach Park |
Picnic
spot with children's park & boating facilities (Open 15.00-20.00
hrs). Entrance fee Rs. 2 per person; Free entrance for children
below 5 years. Boating charge: Rs.10 for 10 minutes. Other facilities
for children: Toy train, bicycles. Video permit Rs. 25, Camera
permit: Rs. 5 respectively Ph: 242960
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| Sea
View Park |
The
park offers boating facilities and a swimming pool. Boat rentals
for 10 minutes: Round boat (4 seater): Rs. 10. Pedalboat (2 seater):
Rs. 15. Pedalboat (4 seater): Rs. 25. Video permit Rs. 15, Camera
permit Rs. 100 respectively. |
| Chavara
Bhavan |
Chavara
Bhavan (6 kms. from Alappuzha, accessible only by boat) 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 favours and feel amply gratified. Here,
a 250 year old historically important beacon of light is preserved
intact in its original and primitive form.
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| Ambalappuzha
Sree Krishna Temple |
15
kms. south of Alappuzha, built in the typical Kerala architectural
style, this temple is famous all over India for the Palapayasam,
the daily offering of deliciously sweet milk porridge. It is also
in this temple that Palipana is performed by Velans (sorceres)
once every twelve years. Paintings of the Dasavatharam (the ten
incarnations of Lord Vishnu) are on display on the inner walls
of the Chuttambalam. Ottan thullal, a satiric art form originated
by the poet Kunchan Nambiar, was first performed on the premises
of this temple.
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| Arthunkal |
| 22
kms. north of Alappuzha, the St. Sebastian's Church is an important
Christian pilgrim centre. Annual festival - Arthunkal Perunnal -
the feast of the patron saint. (January).
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| Edathua
Church |
Situated
24 kms. away from Alappuzha, on the Alappuzha - 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, 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.
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| Mannarasala
Sree Nagaraja Temple |
32
kms. south of Alappuzha situated near Harippad, this is a serpent
shrine under the patronage of a 'Brahman' family, headed by a
priestess. The ancient shrine is an internationally renowned pilgrim
centre dedicated to the Serpent God Nagaraja. Sarpa Yakshi and
Naga Yakshi are the beloved consorts of Nagaraja. It is believed
that Nagaraja as the installed deity is endowed with the form
of Hari (Lord Vishnu) and the spirit of Lord Shiva. Legend has
it that the first priestess of Mannarasala gave birth to a five-headed
snake, which is believed to reside in the ancestral house to safeguard
the family. At Mannarasala barren women are believed to be blessed
with children and a special turmeric paste available at the shrine
is credited with powers to cure even leprosy.
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| Chettikulangara
Bhagavathy Temple |
The
Kettukazhcha festival at this temple draws large crowds of devotees.
Processions of all decorated structures on chariots, brightly
decorated effigies of horses and bullocks and cultural performances
make a spectacular pageant. (Festival - February / March). |
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