Aleppey (Alappuzha) is a District of immense natural beauty. Known as the Venice of The East, it is famous for backwaters, boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir products. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. The land of lush paddy fields, Kuttanad is called the rice bowl of Kerala and is the one of the few places in the world where farming is done below the sea level.
This Island on the backwaters is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. The island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat.
This is one of the most popular picnic spots in Aleppey. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. There is also an old lighthouse, which is greatly fascinating to visitors.
Built by Marthanda Varma, it is at Karthikapally in Kayamkulam and is famous for its mural depicting the story of Gajendramoksham. In this 18-century museum you can see antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes.
The presiding deity here is Goddess Rajarajeswari and it is located at the heart of the town. Navarathri is an important festival and colourful proces¬sion of elephants are conducted during the last two days of Navarathri.
The most important tourist event in Alappuzha is Nehru Trophy Boat Race. It was innaugurated by the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952 on the occasion of his visit to Alappuzha. It is organised on the second Saturday of August every year, in which 130 feet long snake boats, each manned by over a hundreds of rowers, race through backwaters at high speed and cheered by the spec¬tators throughout its course.
The backwater touring is an another landmark of Kerala. The Alappuzha to Kollam backwater trip by boat is one of the highlights and unforget¬table event for the visitors to Kerala. It takes you across the palm-fringed lakes studded with cantilever Chinese fishing nets and narrow canals where on either side filled with scenic beauty. There is also ferry services to Kochi, Changannassery and Kottayam.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
The Champakulam Valia Palli Church is believed to one of the oldest church dotting the landscape of Kerala. It is one of the oldest Catholic Syrian churches located in the Allepey district. There is no concrete proof to this but it is believed that the church was established in 427 AD and has been rebuilt manay times.
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. R-Block : This area is very famous for its backwaters and you can have very beautiful scenes of paddy fields. This is one of the places in the world where farming is done below sea level.
This famous Sri Nagarjuna Temple is dedicated to the King of Serpents. It is situated near Haripad, amidst the thick forest. 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.
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).
