Destination Kerala - Alleppey(Alappuzha)
Situated 64 Km. south of Cochin, this district has a long coastal stretch. Alleppey has a large net work of canals and is a centre for backwater cruises in Kerala. Alleppey has earned fame in the commercial world as the world's chief supplier of coir. The temples of Alleppey represent the Kerala style of architecture. Some of the most exquisite specimens of Kerala murals are still preserved here. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the most colourful of the boat races, is held here on the second saturday of August every year. Transport
The nearest airport is at Nedumbassery, Cochin. Alleppey is connected to various centres by rail. It is also connected by road with important centres of south India.
Rail : The railway station is situated 5 kms away from the bus station and ferry station.
Ferry services
The ferry station are close to each other. The ferry boats from Alleppey passes through scenic backwaters.
Bank
Banking facilities are available for foreign nationals at the State Bank of India, Beach road and Canara Bank,Mullakkal.
Tourist Office
The Department of Tourism has an information counter near the Ferry Station. The District Tourism Promotion Council operates an information counter near the ferry station. ATDC) has an information counter near Komala Hotel.
Backwater Tours in Alleppey
The District Tourism Promotion Council, Quilon, DTPC Alleppey and the Alleppey Tourism Development Co-operative Society operate daily backwater cruises during September to March. The tour starts at 10.30 a.m. from Alleppey and reaches Quilon at 6 p.m.and the charge is Rs. 200/-. There are frequent buses from Cochin to Alleppey and it takes 1½ hours for the journey. ATDC arranges special backwaters cruises on request.
Local ferries are operated by the state water transport department to different islands through scenic backwaters.
Travel Agents and Tour Operators: ATDC ( Ph: 243462), Anu Travels (Ph:260551), Garuda Air Travels (Ph: 2630035)
House boat operators in & around Alleppey
Boat Races In Alleppey
Nehru Trophy Boat Race - 2nd Saturday of August
Champakulam Moolam Boat Race - June/July
Pulinkunnu Rajeev Ghandi Boat Race - Last Sat of August
Places of Interest
Pathiramanal : In the Vembanad lake there is a small beautiful island known as 'Pathiramanal' which can be reached only by boat.
Ambalapuzha : Ambalapuzha is situated 14 Km. away form Alleppey. The Sreekrishna temple at Ambalapuzha is one of the most important temples in Kerala. In its architectural features, the temple confirms the typical Kerala style. The main festival is celebrated during March/April. The temple is famous throughout Kerala for 'Palpayasam', a milk porridge of exceptional sweetness prepared in a very large quantity and offered to the deity. Poet Kunjan Nambiar who lived in the 16th century staged his first 'Ottam Thullal', a new solo dance, in this temple auditorium.
Arthunkal : One of the most important pilgrim centres of the Christians in Kerala, Arthunkal is known for the famous
St. Andrews Church established by the Portuguese missionaries in 1951 AD. The church is popularly known as St. Sebastian church and is situated near Shertallai, 22 Km. north of Alleppey. The famous "Arthunkal Perunnal', is held in January every year in connection with the feast of St. Sebastian.
Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple : The deity in this temple is Bhadrakali and is supposed to possess miraculous powers. The main festivity associated with the annual festival of the temple 'Kettukazhcha' is very famous and it is a procession of tall decorated structures in chariots in which effigies of horses, bullocks and epic heroes, the Pandavas and various scenes from the Puranas are displayed. This festival is celebrated during February/March every year.
Krishnapuram Palace : This palace is situated at Kayamkulam, 47 Km. away from Alleppey on the way to Quilon. It was built during the reign of Marthanda Varma in the 18th century. The double storied palace incorporates the salient features of Kerala's architectural individuality. The palace contains one of the largest mural panels in Kerala. The 'Gajendra Moksham' mural which measures 14 feet by 11 feet is on the ground floor of the palace. A museum with antique sculptures, paintings, and bronzes is housed inside the building. There are frequent buses to Kayamkulam from Alleppey and Quilon.
Karumadikkuttan : At Karumadi, 3 Km. east of Ambala-puzha, there is a statue of Buddha called Karumadikkuttan. The image is assigned to the 11th century and many legends are associated with it.
Mannarsala : This is situated 32 Km. away from Alleppey near Harippad. The temple is one of the most important centres of serpent worship in Kerala. On the day of 'Ayilyam' in September/October all the serpent idols of the near by groves are carried in a procession. During these festival days thousands of people assemble to worship and propitate the Serpent Gods. |
