Alleppy
|
Dist Area |
: |
1414 sq. km. |
Attitude |
: |
Sea level |
Temperature |
: |
Max: 35oC. Min: 20oC |
Rainfall |
: |
(Annual) 229 cm |
Clothing |
: |
Tropical Cottons |
Tourist Season |
: |
August to March |
Alappuzha, washed by the silvery waves of the Arabian Sea, 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 a centre of coir and carpet industries is an ideal place for backwater touring as well as for visits to the lovely church-filled town of Kottayam and the town of Aranmula where Onam water activities take place. Alappuzha is also a good jumping off base for trips to Munnar and Periyar.
Access
Air: The nearest international airport is at Nedumbassery, Ernakulam, 86 km to the North. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is 159 kms to the South.
Rail: Alappuzha is linked by rail to cities like Cochin, Chennai, Bokaro and Mumbai.
Boat Services: Alappuzha is linked by boat service through the backwaters to Quilon, Changanaserry, Kottayam, Cochin, Kumarakom and Kovalam.
Alappuzha Beach (open 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm everyday)
The beach is very beautiful and popular among domestic and international tourists. The pier which extends out into the sea over 137 years old. The Vijaya Beach Park and the Sea View Park offers boating and swimming pool facilities.
Champakkulam
The ST. Mary’s Church at Champakulam is regarded to be one of the seven established by St. Thomas. This is one of oldest churches established in kerala. The annual feast falls on the third Sunday of October.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
The not-to-be-missed spectacle in Alleppey is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race which began in 1952 on the occasion of the visit of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru to Alappuzha. It is now a major event held on the second Saturday of every August and features the gigantic snake-boats of Keala, the Chundans-once the battleships of the Malayalee King of Your.
Kumarakom
A beautiful backwater spot accessible from Alappuzha is Kumarakom. Breathtakingly green, the village slumbers by the Vembanad Lake. On-cruise scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of lush greens and deep blues. As the boat glides along the gorgeous green of the fringed palm the ripples in the blue waters blend into little wavelets.
The place is so beautiful that Henry Baker, an Englishman, built his bungalow here in the last century. Now this elegant English bungalow is a Tourist complex.
A 14-acre bird sanctuary adds to the natural beauty of Kumarakom. Brds such as Water Ducks, Cuckoos, Siberian storks spend happy summer here.