Alappuzha The Venice of the East

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District  Map

Geographical hints: - Alappuzha district was formed on August 17, 1957 . The total area of the district comprises midland and seashore between the Arabian Sea and the Vembanattu Kayal. 82 Km Seashore which is the 13.9% of the State's total seashore.  Pamba, Manimala Achenkovil which merge with Pamba. There is no forest land in the district.

Washed by the silvery waves of the Arabian sea Alappuzha occupies a significant place in the tourist map of Kerala. Interlocked with a large number of canals and bridges this water locked district has immense untapped potential for backwater tourism.

        Alappuzha has several canals and lakes fit for boat cruise. Three prominent rivers in the southern grid of Kerala viz. Achankovil, Pamba and Manimala empty into the lakes. A boat journey through the lakes will be a memorable experience. The watercourses are flanked by an unending row of coconut trees which heave and sway to the tune of the gush.

Alleppey the beach here is spectacular .At one end are the dense palm groves that are so characteristic of Kerala's landscape. You can cut across the sea waves lashing the shore in passionate fury, or indulge in the luxury of sitting on a sand dune and paddling your feet in the water  

WATER CARNIVAL

 Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the annual water carnival at Punnamada Lake, is considered the biggest snake boat race in the world. The colourful boat pageantry which precedes the boat race is a marvellous treat to the eyes. The snakeboats with a length of 30 to 60 metres and with 100 to 150 oarsmen plough the waters with the rhythm and symbols to the tune of the legendary songs. The Nehru Trophy was instituted by the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who was enthralled by the charm and gaiety of the water carnival. The boat race attracts a large number of tourists, domestic and foreign.

         In addition to this the boat races at Payippad, Thiruvanvandoor, Neerettupuram, Karuvatta and Thykkoottam are quite famous.

KERALA FISHING

        Alappuzha is a great centre of fisheries. 'Chakara' a rare marine phenomenon in which a large number of fish throng together in the early days of May to August is a peculiarity of Purakkad, one of the main fishing centres on the coast of the Arabian Sea. This is in fact a fishermen's fiesta.

 Coir works at Alappuzha 

The district is the major centre of coir and allied products. There are about 4000 production units including a few big factories with mechanized looms. Alappuzha retains monopoly in coir production and exports. The turn of the eighties saw exponential growth with exports to the USA, South Africa, the Netherlands, Spain and other European countries. Today a wide variety of coir matting, mats, geotextiles, coir logs, yarns as also products made of jute, sisal, sea grass and other fibers. The leading coir factories are equipped with looms to make matting of one meter to four meters widths. Finishing centre has shearing, trimming, smoking, stenciling (both dye and paint), and gluing, stitching and webbing facilities. The highly-skilled craftsmen who can be relied on to meet exacting specifications is processing the coir works. Personalized attention to detail, realistic prices and prompt shipment, apart from stead fast quality, are what makes us stand apart - and win loyal clients.

AMBALAPPUZHA-SREEKRISHNA TEMPLE 

 Amabalappuzha Sreekrishna Temple on the Kollam-Alappuzha Highway is called the Dwaraka of the South. It is frequented by thousands of devotees especially during the annual festival which falls in April every year. 'Ambalappuzha palpayasam' the devotional delicacy of the temple, is renowned for its unique taste.  Ambalappuzha is also famous for the traditional visual martial art of Kerala, Velakali. 

KARUMADI 

Karumadi, three Kms.from east of Ambalappuzha, has a statue of Buddha called Karumadikuttan, a perennial source of interest for the tourists.  

ARTHUNKAL CHURCH 

        Arthumkal Church is famous for the St. Sebastian's church which is situated south west of Cherthala town 22 Kms north of Alappuzha. The famous Arthumkal Perunal is held in January in every year. Catholics from all parts of the state participate in the feast of St. Sebastian.   

MANNARSALA

Mannarassala near Harippad 32 Kms. from south of Alappuzha is an important centre of pilgrimage in the district. The famous Mannarassala temple devoted to the serpent deity is a rare phenomenon of worship. The Ayilyam festival held in November in  every year is very famous

Edathuwa Church
Edathua Church is a gigantic shrine situated on the banks of river Pampa about 24 km from Alappuzha, on the Alappuzha - Thiruvalla Road. The church dedicated to St. George, was built in 1810, and styled on the medieval churches of Europe. It is believed that prayers and offerings at this church help to recover from mental imbalances and other diseases. Theannual feast is celebrated from April 27th to7th of May (Malayalam month of Medam) and pilgrims from all parts of South India, irrespective of caste and creed, visit the church and seek the blessings of the saint. Although the festival lasts for 11 days, the major festival will be celebrated only would held on all days of the festival, in Tamil and Malayalam. on the last few days before the feast day on the 6th of May. The holy mass and novena

Kottankulangara Temple
 A festival in Kerala calls for men to disguise as women and carry lamps as a prayer offering to Bhagavathy (Devi) at Kottankulangara temple in Chavara near Kollam in Kerala. 'Kottankulangara Chamayavillaku', the unique festival is celebrated for 19 long days during March -April every year. Men clad in female attires like sarees, churidars and skirts along with make up gather at the temple, holding a lamp with five lights on a long wooden rod. The practice is expressed as a grateful gesture for blessings bestowed through wishes gratified and also to seek the grace of the Goddess. Trisha a participant in the festival said: "This is the first time that I have come here. I was facing some problems -job problems, study problems, but I got the opportunity now. I am very comfortable here, it's very nice. My friends are also very happy. The atmosphere is very inspiring...this is beyond our imagination," said a jubilant Trisha, a participant in the local festivities.
             "Men clad in female attires like sarees, churidars and skirts along with make up gather at the temple, holding a lamp with five lights". There are many beliefs that talk about the stories involved with the temple and the unique worship. The most popular one is that a group of cowherds dressed as girls, offered flowers and a dish called 'kottan' made of coconut to a stone playfully. It is believed that Goddess Bhagavathy materialized herself before one of the boys subsequently which marked the origin of this peculiar ritual. The local residents believe that the stone is growing in size with the lapse of time. The worship probably denotes the camouflaged fact of the same unifying essence in everyone irrespective of sex difference

Pathiramanal Island
      A unique back water spot accessible only  by boat is 'PATHIRAMANAL'a lonely island in the middle of Vembanad lake, ideal for the honeymooners and the tourists.It is  around 1 ½ hours by motor boat/30 min. by speed boat away  from Alappuzha. Tourists come here in search tropical scenery and a change from the din of city life and Pathiramanal can provide all kinds of happiness in plenty.
    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 created the enchanting island of Pathiramanal (sands of midnight).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 from Kumarakom and Muhamma in Alappuzha.