Alappuzha- (Alleppey)

As a center of trading Alleppey may be on the down turn, but as a tourist center. Alleppey is gaining in popularity. The town was built as a trading center in 1762 by Raja Kesavadasa, the Diwan of Travancore. The many canals crisis crossing the town built to facilitate the transport of goods promoted European visitors to dud Alleppey as the 'Venice of the East'. The main tourist attractions are the backwaters and the Snake Boat Race.

Reaching Alleppey the nearest Airport is Cochin 64 km to the north and Trivandrum Airport is 159 km to the south Alleppey is quiet well connected by trains to different cities. A journey by train from Cochin (11/2 hours) passes through some of the most beautiful backwaters and country sides in Kerala. The trip from Trivandrum is equally interesting. Trivandrum and Cochin are connected to Alleppey by a National Highway. If you are coming from Kollam, an intresting alternative would be by boat which starts from the Kollam boat jetty. The trip through the backwaters is slow but an interesting experience. There are also boat services to Alleppey from Kottayam & Changancherry. Kottayam (50 km) and Changanachery (32 km) are also connected by road

Sight Seeing

Alleppey Beach This beach is popular with locals. The beach is good and quiet clean, on the southern side there is a park for children with a toy train. On northern side the pier extending into the sea is over a 100 years old. The Saeview park with boating facilities is also here. The railway station isn't very far from here

Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race Held on the second Saturday of August every year this boat race is a "must see" for the tourist. Boats of all size compete in different events, but the most prestigious and interesting is that of the "Chundan Vallam". This boat wit 100 rowers, 4 helmsmen and has 25 cheer leaders is decorated with colorful umbrellas. The race is held in the massive Vembanad lake, east of the town. Packing food and an umbrella to the venue is a good idea.

Alleppey-Kollam backwater trip The boat passes through palm fringed the backwaters. A close view of the country side and fishing activity in the lake are interesting sight. The boat stops for lunch in between.

Kuttand This area is unique as it is probably the only region in the world where farming is done below sea level. Major part of the year, most of the land is under water. During the rains water rises to submerge most of the farm area and at other times the farm is deliberately flooded in a controlled manner to facilitate rice farming. During the top soil and minerals from the highlands are washed away and deposited here making this area highly fertile. To see this area you can take the boat route passes through Kuttanad.

Ambalapuzha(14 km south) The Sri Krishna temple here is a pilgrim center and is famous for its Palpayasam ( a sweet dish made of milk) offered during the temple festival.

Krishnapuram Palace The Palace was built in the 18th century during the region of Marthanda Varma. The place display the typical Kerala style of architecture by water of its gable roofs, charmar windows and narrow corridors. There is a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronze articles in the palace. on the western end of the ground floor is a large mural called Gajendra moksha. The palace pool is also nearby. the palace is 47 km from Alleppey at Kayamkulam, on the way to Kollam. Kayamkulam is 41 km away from Kollam

Karimadi This town is close to Ambalapuzha. There is a 9 th century black granite statue of Budha (called locally Karimadi Kuttan) which is of historical importance