Lashed by the silvery waves of the Arabian Sea, the picturesque town of Alleppey occupies a significant place in the tourist map of Kerala in South India. Interlocked with a large number of canals and bridges, this water locked district is growing as a favorite tourist destination in Kerala as it is decorated with canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons. That's why it is called the Venice of the East. Alleppey is also a major centre of coir and carpet industry. History says Alleppey had trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome in B.C and in the Middle Ages, as well as with other parts of India. The 'Nehru Cup', the largest snake boat race in the state is held here. Alleppey or Alappuzha, as it is popularly known, is one of the centrally located districts in the state of Kerala. The city is connected with the rest of the state via roads and rails. Alleppey forms the connecting link of Kottayam-Kochi-Kollam backwaters.
Alleppey can be reached by road, rail, air or by waterways. However, the nearest airport is at Kochi, 64 km from here. The Trivandrum airport is 159 km south of Alleppey. N.H.47 goes through Alleppey connecting it with almost all the nearby places of South India. Alleppey is also well connected through waterways. Alleppey is linked by boat and ferry services through the scenic backwaters to Kochi, Kottayam, Kovalam and Chengannur.
Alleppey beach is a beautiful place with a number of features too. The beach area features lush garden, Vijaya Park and Sea view Park that host boat races and other water activities, a century and half old pier and an ancient towering light house.
Backwater cruises are the most important features of Alleppey. The cruise usually starts from Alleppey and ends at Jetty, encompassing monuments, temples, churches and other attractions located within its premises.
The boat races at Alleppy attracts people from all corners the world. The most famous of these races, Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held at Punnamada lake on the second Saturday of August every year, is a major tourist attraction. The other races include the Payippad held in Payippad Lake near Haripad, 35 km from Alleppey, Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, the oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala, is held on the river Pampa on Moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, the Thiruvandoor, Neerettupuram, Karuvatta and Thaikkoottam etc. held at different parts in the month of August and September. All these races are part of the Onam festival, the festival of harvest in Autumn.
Ambalapuzha Temple, 14 km south of Alleppey, is one of the three major Sri Krishna temples in the state of Kerala. Lord Krishna (Kannan) is the presiding diety here. The temple is built in a typical South Indian architectural style and is famous for the performances of Pallapina (sorcerers). These performances are held once and after a gap of twelve years. The temple walls display paintings of Lord Vishnu. This temple is directly associated to the Guruvayoor Sri Krishna Temple. During the raids of Tipu Sultan in 1789, the idol of Sri Krishna from the Guruvayoor Temple was brought to the Ambalappuzha Temple for safe keeping.
Arthunkal Church is located 22 kms from Alleppey and was built by Portuguese missionaries. The church constitutes a popular pilgrimage centre of Christians. Champakalam Church or St. Mary's Church is one of the oldest church in Kerala. The church has the distinction of being one of the seven that were built by St. Thomas.
Light house in Alleppey situated about 4km away from the town is one of the oldest light houses in Kerala. From the top of the light house we can see the whole Alleppy beach and some part of the Alleppey Town. In the initial stages the light house worked using old techniques but now new equipments have been installed.
Kuttanad, also called as the 'Rice Bowl of Kerala', is the place having a reputation for its cultivation. The region is perhaps the only place where farming is done below sea level. It is very fertile and provides for a beautiful landscape.
Karumadi village is famous for its Karumadi Kuttan, a black granite figure of the Buddha said to belong to the 9th or 10th century. This village is situated near to Ambalapuzha, 14 km from Alleppey.
Pathiramanal Island is a small beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake. This island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the land. This island can be accessed by boat from Kumarakom or Muhamma.
Alleppey can be reached by road, rail, air or by waterways. However, the nearest airport is at Kochi, 64 km from here. The Trivandrum airport is 159 km south of Alleppey. N.H.47 goes through Alleppey connecting it with almost all the nearby places of South India. Alleppey is also well connected through waterways. Alleppey is linked by boat and ferry services through the scenic backwaters to Kochi, Kottayam, Kovalam and Chengannur.
Alleppey beach is a beautiful place with a number of features too. The beach area features lush garden, Vijaya Park and Sea view Park that host boat races and other water activities, a century and half old pier and an ancient towering light house.
Backwater cruises are the most important features of Alleppey. The cruise usually starts from Alleppey and ends at Jetty, encompassing monuments, temples, churches and other attractions located within its premises.
The boat races at Alleppy attracts people from all corners the world. The most famous of these races, Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held at Punnamada lake on the second Saturday of August every year, is a major tourist attraction. The other races include the Payippad held in Payippad Lake near Haripad, 35 km from Alleppey, Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, the oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala, is held on the river Pampa on Moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, the Thiruvandoor, Neerettupuram, Karuvatta and Thaikkoottam etc. held at different parts in the month of August and September. All these races are part of the Onam festival, the festival of harvest in Autumn.
Ambalapuzha Temple, 14 km south of Alleppey, is one of the three major Sri Krishna temples in the state of Kerala. Lord Krishna (Kannan) is the presiding diety here. The temple is built in a typical South Indian architectural style and is famous for the performances of Pallapina (sorcerers). These performances are held once and after a gap of twelve years. The temple walls display paintings of Lord Vishnu. This temple is directly associated to the Guruvayoor Sri Krishna Temple. During the raids of Tipu Sultan in 1789, the idol of Sri Krishna from the Guruvayoor Temple was brought to the Ambalappuzha Temple for safe keeping.
Arthunkal Church is located 22 kms from Alleppey and was built by Portuguese missionaries. The church constitutes a popular pilgrimage centre of Christians. Champakalam Church or St. Mary's Church is one of the oldest church in Kerala. The church has the distinction of being one of the seven that were built by St. Thomas.
Light house in Alleppey situated about 4km away from the town is one of the oldest light houses in Kerala. From the top of the light house we can see the whole Alleppy beach and some part of the Alleppey Town. In the initial stages the light house worked using old techniques but now new equipments have been installed.
Kuttanad, also called as the 'Rice Bowl of Kerala', is the place having a reputation for its cultivation. The region is perhaps the only place where farming is done below sea level. It is very fertile and provides for a beautiful landscape.
Karumadi village is famous for its Karumadi Kuttan, a black granite figure of the Buddha said to belong to the 9th or 10th century. This village is situated near to Ambalapuzha, 14 km from Alleppey.
Pathiramanal Island is a small beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake. This island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the land. This island can be accessed by boat from Kumarakom or Muhamma.
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