« Introduction
« Tour from Alleppey
Climate
Temprature
Summer : Max: 35°C - Min: 22.5°C
Winter : Max: 32°C - Min: 20°C
Rainfall
299 cm (annual)
Best Time
August to March
How To Reach Alappuzha
By Air
Nearest airport is at Kochi, 66 kms away.
By Rail
The place is well connected to Kochi, by rail.
By Road
The place is connected to all the south Indian towns, by a well-developed network of roads. There are frequent bus services to Alleppey.
Ferries
The State Water Transport Department operates boat services connecting Alleppey with some other places like Quilon (8Hrs), Changanacherry (3hrs), Kumarakom (3hr), Cochin (4hrs), Kumarakom (2hrs), Chengannor, etc.
Alappuzha - The Venice Of The East
Referred to as the Venice of the East by travellers from across the world, this BackwaterCountry is also home to diverse animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.
Alappuzha is also known worldwide as a center of the coir industry. Coir is made from the rough outer husk of the coconut. The fibers of the husk are processed and woven to make useful items including packaging material, boards, mats and brushes.
Alappuzha is famous for the Snake Boat Races held here every year around the time of the Onam festival. The giant snake boats called Chundanvalloms, race against each other for the prestigious Nehru Trophy. Prime Minster Jawaharlal Nehru donated the trophy after he received an unforgettable reception along the waterways of Alappuzha. Teams of rowers seated on the long Snake Boats with their curving prows battle it out for the honor of winning the Nehru Trophy. Crowds throng the edge of the waterways where the race is held. Many tourists come to Alappuzha to see this exciting event. Alappuzha wears a carnival atmosphere during the boat races held at the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. You can see the exhilarating snake boat races of Alappuzha on Kerala tours.
Alappuzha also has a number of historic colonial buildings and a beautiful beach, with a garden alongside the beach. A pier, lighthouse and grove of palm trees are scenic attractions near the Alappuzha beach. Enjoy touring the attraction of Alappuzha in Kerala, India on Kerala tours.
Tour from Alleppey
Kuttanad
Kuttanad is an expanse of water-logged land lying below sea level. It bears strong resemblance to Holland in terms of geographical features. |
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Chettikulangara Bhagwathy Temple
The Bhadrakali deity is said to have miraculous power. The temple is abuzz with activity in the months of February and March on the occasion of Bharani.
Punappra
A short distance from Alleppey, this village has been rendered famous by the heroic struggles between the communists and Travancore State Police.
Ambalapuzha Temple
14 kms from Alleppey, the Sreekrishna Temple here is worth seeing. The temple boasts of its classic temple architecture and its 'Palpayasam' (sweet milk porridge), offered to the deity.
The ancient Sree Krishna Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna is situated 8 miles south of Alappuzha. This temple is famous throughout Kerala for the milk porridge, 'Palpayasam' served here. At Karumadi, near by, is an image of the Buddha, a relic of the times when Buddhism flourished in the State.
It is also in this temple that 'Pallipana' is performed by 'Velans' (sorcerers) once in twelve years. Human sacrifice was conducted in ancient times. However, cocks have now replaced humans on the sacrificial altar.
Neighbouring Alleppey, with its beautiful backwaters and canals has a water carnival and Regatta conducted every year as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
General Information
Location : Ambalapuzha near Aalapuzha, Kerala
Main Attraction : An Image Of Buddha At Karumadi
Krishnapuram Palace
The palace is located at a distance of 47 kms, at Kayamkulam, on the way to Kollam. The double storeyed palace contains one of the greatest Mural panels in Kerala.
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Krishnapuram Palacewas built by Marthanda Varma in the 18th century. This double storeyed palace bears the stamp of Kerala's unique architectural opulence.
It also houses Kerala's largest Mural panels. A museum of antique |
bronze sculptures and paintings is another attraction. The Krishnapuram Palace, which was the residence of the rulers of Kayamkulam kingdom, is a rare specimen of the Kerala style of architecture, replete with gabled roofs, narrow corridors and dormer windows.
Renovated some time in the 18th century, the palace is today a protected monument under the Archaeology department. Recently it has been again renovated according to the scientific techniques prescribed for the protection of heritage buildings.
Now, an archaeological museum, the palace has on exhibit the fascinating and huge 'Gajendra Moksham', the largest single band of Mural Painting so far discovered in Kerala. Literally, the salvation (Moksha) of the elephant king (Gajendra), the theme of the mural is mythological, which depicts the salvation of Gajendra, the king of elephants It is said that Lord Vishnu was the family deity of the Kayamkulam rajas.
As in all Keralan paintings every inch of the painting is packed with detail and the outer edges are decorated with floriate borders. A display case contains ceremonial utensils, oil lamps, fine miniature figures and small stone columns carved with serpent deities.
Other attractions here are the beautifully landscaped garden in the palace compound where one can see a variety of flora typical of Kerala, and a newly erected 'Buddha mandapam', where a recently recovered statue of the Buddha is housed. Other collections at the museum include rare antique bronze sculptures and paintings.
General Information
Unique Features
Houses Kerala's Largest Mural Panels
Location : At Kayamkulam 47 Kms From Alappuzha, Kerala
Mannarshala Temple
Mannarshala is 32 kms away from Alleppey. It covers an area of 16 acres of dense green forest grove devoted to serpent worship. The temple here is unique in that the holy rites are presided over by a priestess.
The grove is dotted with the granite idols of serpents. There are 2 main idols: 'Nagaraja' or the serpent king and his consort, Sarpayakshini.
The priestess lives in the 'Illam' on the north side of the temple. 'Uruli Kamazhthal' or the placing of a bell metal vessel upside down in front of the deity is the most popular offering believed to restore fertility to childless couples.
Mannarshala temple at Harippad is reputed for having 30,000 images of snake-gods and this is the largest of its kind in the state.
On the day of 'Ayilliam' asterism in the Malayalam months of Kanni and Thulam (September and October), all the serpent idols in the grove and the temple are taken in procession to illam (the house connected with the temple) where 'Nurum Palum' (rice flour and milk), 'Kuruthi' (a red liquid made of turmeric and lime), offerings are made.
The procession is conducted with great pomp and gaiety in which the oldest female member of the family carries the Nagaraja idol. During the festival days, thousands throng the temple to worship the hooded gods.
The offerings include coins and snake effigies made of gold, silver and copper, grains of all kinds, pepper, tender coconuts, plantains, melons and sandalwood.
Significance
The Largest Snake Temple in Kerala
General Information
Location : 32 Kms South Of Alappuzha, Kerala
Speciality : Rites Presided Over By Priestess
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