Tourist places in and around Alappuzha
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
It is held annually on the second Saturday of August at the Vembanad lake and is the nost important tourist event of Alappuzha. Boats sponsored by different villages compet", the 130 feet long snake boats, with over 100 rowers, 4 helmsmen and 25 cheer leaders, decorated with colourful silk umbrellas. Tickets for the race are available on the day from numerous ticket stands on the way to the lake where race is held. The Punnamada Kayal is the starting point for the race.Alappuzha Beach
One of the most popular picnic spots in Alappuzha, this beach has a 140 years old pier extending into the sea and a lighthouse built in 1862, offers a view of the beach and some part of the town..Sprawling across an area of 75 km, located between the hills and the sea, Kuttanad is a splendid maze of lakes, canals, rivers and streams. Don't miss out on a ride through the glistening paddy fields.
The beautiful beach with a distinct colonial ambience has an old lighthouse and 1,000ft long pier which was built in 1862, by Captain Hugh Crawford.
A 137 old pier, which extends into the sea and an old lighthouse are the attractions here. Entertainment facilities of the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attractions of the beach.
This is one of the most popular picnic spots in Alappuzha (Alleppey). The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya beach park add to the attractions of the beach. There is also an old lighthouse, which is greatly fascinating to visitors.
Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple (15 km south of Alappuzha) (Pilgrim Centre)
Constructed in the typical Kerala architectural style, this temple is famous all over India, and is renowned for the Palpayasam, the daily offering of sweet milk porridge. This temple witnesses the performance of Pallipana by Velans (sorcerers) once every twelve years. Paintings of the Dasavatharam (the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) are displayed on the inner walls of the temple. The ‘Chuttambalam Ottanthullal', a satiric art form based on social themes originated by the poet Kunchan Nambiar, was first performed on the premises of this temple.The Sri Krishna Temple built in traditional Kerala architecture is one of the most important shrines of Kerala. It is also known for '‘alayasam''a sweet milk porridge prepared everyday as offering to the deity and the ritual of Pallipana performed by valans (sorcerers) once in every twelve years.
Once Bilvamangalam Swami and king Pooradam Thirunal of Vhampakasseri were sailing in a boat. They heard the melodious strains of a flute coming from an Ashwatha tree. The swami knew that it was the music of Lord Balagopala (Venu ganam), and they decided to build a temple at the spot.
At the time of consecration, a defect was found on the idol and the king and the devotees were greatly disappointed. Following the Swami,s advice, they brought an idol of Parthasarathi from Kuruchi village secretly and consecrated it at the new shrine. This event, which took place in 1613 AD, is commemorated as a boat tace during Onam. The Lord is worshipped as unnikrishna. He is seen holding a whip in the right hand and Shanku in the left hand.
Paal Paayasam (milk porridge), the noon Neivedyam for the Lord, is very popular among devotees.
The Sri Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha, 14 km from Alleppy is among Kerala's more famous one boasting of the typical temple architectural style of the state. It is equally famed for its palpayasam " a sweet milk porridge offered to the deity. The temple's main festival occurs in March/April.
Built in the typical Kerala architectural style, this temple is famous all over India for the Palpayasam, the daily offering of deliciously sweet milk porridge. It is also in this temple that Pallipana is performed by Velans (sorcerers) once every twelve years.
Festival
10 days during March-April. On the ninth day, the Natakasala sadhya (feast) is conducted honour of traditional percussion instrument artistes.Haripad
Krishnapuram Palace
Located at a distance of 47 km from Alappuzha on the way to Kollam, this palace was built in the 18th century during the reign of Marthanda Varma. This palace is noted for its typical Kerala architecture, with gabled roof, dormer windows and narrow corridors. Here you will find the famous mural kept in the western end of the ground floor, called ‘Gajendra Moksham' which is the largest mural in Kerala. There is also a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronze articles in the palace.The 18th century Krishnapuram Palace built during the reign of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Vama, is a double storied structure which displays typical characteristics of Kerala architecture-gabled roofs, dormer windows, narrow corridors. It houses one of the largest mural paintings in kerala called the Gajendra Moksham. It measures 14 feet by 11 feet and is at the western end of the ground floor, a walking distance from the Palace Pool. Inside is also a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes.
Pathiramanal
This is a small captivating island in the Vembanad Lake. Situated between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, this island is the favourite spot for hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the land.This is a small beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake and is accessible only by boat from Kumarakom and Muchamma. The enchanting island on the backwaters is a favourite is a haunt of hands of are migratory birds from different parts of world.
According the mythology a Young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below, thus creating the enchanting Island pf Pathiramanal (sands of midnight). This little island on the backwaters is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. This island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat.
Kuttanad
Called the rice bowl of Kerala, Kuttanad is at the very heart of the backwaters. This is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done 1.5 to 2m below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land level are an amazing feature of this region.It's called the rice bowl of Kerala because of her wealth of paddy crops, is 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 is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done 1.5 to 2 mtr below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land lever are an amazing feature of this region.
Karumadi
Here, you will find the famous Karumadi Kuttan, a black granite figure of the Buddha which is said to belong to the 9th or 10th century.Close to the Ambalappuzha, 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.
Arthunkal (Pilgrim Centre)
The St. Sebastian's Church here is an important Christian pilgrim centre. The annual festival, Arthunkal Perunnal, the feast of the patron saint is celebrated every January.Arthunkal known for the St. Andrews Church established by Portuguese missionaries is near Sherthallai, 22 km north of Alappuzha. The feast of St. Sebastian is held here in every January.
Champakulam Church
The St. Mary's Forane Church established in 1870 is believed to be one of the seven established by St. Thomas. One of the oldest churches in Kerala, the annual feast at this church falls on the 3rd Sunday of October, ever year.One of the oldest churches in Kerala, the St. Mary's Church is believed to be one of the seven established by St. Thomas. The annual feast at this church falls on the 3rd Sunday of October every year.
Aranmula (20 km)
This picturesque Hindu pilgrim centre on the banks of river Pamba is famous for its rich culture and heritage. It was declared as a ‘Heritage village of India' by the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH). The main attractions are Parthasarathy Temple and Aranmula Vallomkalli, the famous snake Boat Race held every year in the month of chingam (Aug-Sept).Lord Krishna is depicted as Parthasarathi, the divine charioteer, holding His Sudarasana Chakra. He is seen in a rare mood as he was in the Kurukshetra battle.The image was installed by Ajuna at Nilakkal on the banks of Pampa when the Pandavas were on a pilgrimage. The image was later shigted to this place in a shaft made of six bamboos. Hence the name Aranmula (Aru means six and mula means bamboo).
The temple is considered one of the sacred 108 Tirupatis. It is also one of the five famous Krishna shrines of kerala, the other four being Guruvayur, Trichambarm, Thiruvarpu and Ambalapuzha.
Festivals
Aranmula boat race is held in honour of the installation of Lord Parthasarathi on the last day of Onam celebration (Aug-Sept), known as Uthirattathi.Vallasadya feast is held during Onam festivities with Vallomkali boat race. This commemorates an incident in which the Lord apperared before a pious Namboodri as an Athithi. A boatful of foodstuff (Thiruvona Chelavu Thoni) is still carried from nearby Kattoor village to aranmula on this occasion.
Punnapra
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 Punnapara Vayalar Communist uprising of 1946.Mannarsala (32 km)
The charming site near Haripad on the alappuzha - Kollam route is famous for the ancient temple of Sree Nagaraja, the King of Serpents. Nagaraja, the presiding deity is said to be endowed with the form of Hari (Lord Vishnu) and spirit of Lord Shiva.Snake worship has been popular in kerala from time immemorial. Many houses have small shrines dedicated to the serpent God, known as sarpakavu. The temple in Mannarsala, situated in a grove, enshrines Nagaraja and His consort Bagalakshmi or Sarpayakshi. Thousnds of stone Naga images are found in the grove.
Uruli Kamizhthal is a unique worship performed by childless couples. When blessed with a child, they visit the temple again and put the vessel back in its right position. Monthly sivaratri and ayilyam (Aslesha) star days are auspicious
Mullakkal Rajarajeshwari temple
The Devi shrine is situated at the heart pf this commercial center, known for beautiful backwaters. Festivals Navaratri 9Sept-Oct) and Thaipuyakavadi (Jan-Feb).This hrine of Goddess Rajarajeswari is set in the heart of Alappuzha town. The important festivals celebrated here are nine day ‘Navarathri' and ‘Thaipooyakavadi'.
Haripad
Parasurma had installed Lord Subramanya in this shrine. The idol is known to have been later obtained from a river. The Pratishta ceremony is celebrated as Payipad Boat Race.Chengannur Bhagavathi temple
Chengannur is situated on the banks of river Pampa. Though the temple here is dedicated to Siva and Parvati, it is better known as Bhagavathi shrine. Legends say that sage Agastya had his ashram on the hillside here. Siva and Parvati, after their marriage at Mount Kailas, came to visit the Rishi, who could not attend the divine wedding. As the Devi had her periods at that time, the couple had to wait till the purificatory bath.A unique phenomenon in this temple is that the Godess, a Panchaloha image, is believed to have her reqular periods and the shrine remains closed for those threee days. Pojas resume only agter the Aaraattu and Thiruputtu festival on the fourth day, when the image is taken in a procession to river pampa for the ritual. The devout consider it auspicious to witness this event.
Chengannur is also revered as one of the 51 Sakthi Peetas, where a part of Sati,s body fell after the Daksha yaga.
Thiruvalla
Sri Vallabha (Vishnu) temple is situated 3 km from the station. A 50-foot-tall granite flag with a Garudua image on tip of it adorns the temple.Festivals During Feb-March and March-April