Alappuzha
Population – wise and literacy- wise, Alappuzha ranks first among the districts of the state. Ten percent of the total rice production of the state comes from Kuttanadu, the rice bowl in Alappuzha district. Alappuzha is also very famous for the Coir industry, as almost 80% coir factories of the state are situated in this district alone.
Known as the land of backwaters, Alappuzha attracts large number of tourists from all over the world to witness famous boat races conducted every year. It is also a centre of the snake boat races. The world famous Nehru Trophy Boat race at Punnamada, the Payippad boat race at Payippad near Harippad and also boat races at other places like Thiruvandoor, Neerettupram, Karuvatta and Thaikkottam etc are held during Onam holidays every year. Thousands of people from all parts of the world come and witness these boat races.
Pathiramanal, a small island in the backwaters of Alappuzha, is a major tourist attraction as it is considered as a haven for hundreds of rare birds migrating from different parts of the world.Major Attractions In Alappuzha
From time immemorial, the backwaters of Kerala have attracted people. A journey in the house boat cruise through the enchanting and sparkling backwaters of Kerala will offer a dazzling view of picturesque villages, sprawling paddy fields and rows of coconut palms swaying in the wind. The real Kerala could be experienced through a houseboat cruise in the backwaters, especially of Alappuzha route.
Houseboats are of different sizes designed to suit varying needs of every traveler in the matter of both comfort and luxury. A largest houseboat can accommodate about 60 persons and the smallest can accommodate 20 persons. These luxury houseboats meet international standers in hygiene, décor and are complete with sundeck, corridor, Lobby, bedrooms with attached bathrooms and kitchen to deliver the ‘home on waves’ feel. There are single, double or triple bedrooms with or without A/C and also having elegant wardrobes and dressing table and separate provision for clean water etc.
State of the art kitchen equipped with food and beverage stock and skilled cook offer delicious Kuttanadan cuisine with rice and fish curry. These also have boats with pollution control and waste management measures, conference halls, entertainment are with home theatre etc.
These are house boats called Kettuvallams (Rice boat). The Kettuvallam was first introduced in 1996, by converting two country boats into ‘Kettuvallams’ or House boats. These houseboats (Kettuvallams) are known for its unique design. Local materials like bamboo poles, coconut fiber, ropes, bamboo mates, carpets etc. have gone in to making of these boats. In these houseboats also facilities of single room, double room, triple room configuration with sun deck and private balcony with comfortable chairs exist. The rooms are fully furnished with attached bathrooms with shower, wash basin and flushing WC, with tiled floor etc.
Snake boat races are conducted during the months of the August and September every year, when the parched earth gets rain-soaked and when the depleted back waters are full up to brim with the flow of incessant rain. Thousands of men and women come and impatiently stand on the banks with great anxiety and expectation writ large on their faces to witness the great event of snake boat races. It is an unforgettable experience to remember and a lavish feast for eyes to see the snake boats surging forward and smoothly cruising on back waters, with the rhythamatic and powerful pull of the oars by the oars men standing on the Amaram. Forward momentum and speed of the boat depends up on regular practice, which the participating teams start for months together before this great event takes place.
This is a most popular boat race involving several types of racing boats called as Kali Vallangal. The largest and most majestic looking boat among the participating boats is known as Chundan. When the boats are rowed with oars, the rowers sing songs known as’ Vanchi patu’ and this synchronized rowing of the boats in tune with the songs and rhythm of thrust and pull of the oars makes it a most pleasant and magnificent event to watch.
The length of the largest ‘Chundan’ boat measures between 100 – 130 feet and could accommodate 120 rowers, with sixty on each side. The prow of the chundan is pointed and stands four feet above the water level with its glistening brass embellishments. The main person steering the boats stands on the amaram with a specially made long oars. The speed and balance of the boat depends upon the power behind its rowing with oars by the crews. A strong plunge of the oars into the water can propel the boat three leaps ahead to cover a distance of thirty feet.
The “chundan valloms” are considered as greatest racing boats. These boats glide through water effortlessly because of a special oil used to make it slick down. On the race day, the crews go to a shrine carrying with them the largest steering oar and offer special prayers before the start of the race. When the boat race is signaled to begin, the atmosphere becomes charged with excitement and reverberates with the shouts of joy and clapping to prod the rowers to action.This boat race is held for 3 days commencing from the Onam festival day in memory of the prathishta ceremony of Haripad Subramanya temple and thus it has attained a great religious importance. On the first 2 days, snake boats processions are taken out. This competitive boat race known as ‘Payippad Vallamkalli’ takes place on the 3rd day of the Prathishta ceremony.
Krishnapuram Palace
Krishnapuram palace was built in the 18th century during the reign of Travancore Monarch, Marthanda Varma. It is a double storied structure displaying typical characteristics of Kerala gabled roofs, dormer windows and narrow corridors. One of the largest mural paintings of Kerala called the Gajendra Moksham is housed in this palace. It measures 14 x 11 feet and is at the western end of the ground floor. There is also a museum inside the palace showcasing antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes.
Krishnapuram palace is 47 kms away from allapuzha on the way to kollam reachable by bus.
Pathiramanal Island
This is a small and beautiful island in the backwaters of the Vembanad Lake and accessible only by boat from Kumarakom and Muhamma.
Ambalapuzha (Pilgrim Centre)
Ambalapuzha is famous for its Sri Krishna Temple, 14 kms away from Allapuzha and it has been built in an architectural style of Kerala. The temple’s main festival occurs in March/April of every year and ‘Palpayasam’ – sweet milk porridge is offered to the deity. It was in this temple Kunjan Nambiar, the famous poet of the 16th century had staged his first Ottamthullal, a solo dance performance with high social content.
Karumadi is a village close to Ambalapuzha and being very famous for its Karumadikuttan, a black granite figure of Buddha is said to belong to 9th or 10th century.
Punnapra
Punnapra is a village lying, a little distance away from Alappuzha and 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. This labor upsurge was against the autocratic regime, which was known as the Punnapra Vayalar agitation.
Kuttanad
Kuttanad is known as the rice bowl of Kerala, for 10% of the total rice production of the state comes from here. The country side of Kuttanad presents a beautiful sight with inland waterways flowing above land level.
Vijaya Beach Park
This is a picnic spot with children’s park offering boating facilities. Other entertainment facilities for children are – toy train, bicycles, video/camera permit for which a reasonable fee is charged.
This is one of the most important picnic spots in Alappuzha. The pier extending out into the sea here is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities available at Vijaya Beach Park are an added attraction to the tourists coming to the beach. There is also a fascinating lighthouse, which attracts the visitors.
Sea View Park
There is a swimming pool here and the park offers boating facilities. Boat cruise can be enjoyed at reasonable rentals. Video and camera use is also permitted here at nominal charges.
Chavara Bhavan
Chavara Bhavan, the ancestral home of the blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara is situated here, just 6 kms away from Alappuzha. This place has become a famous holy shrine and spiritual resort where thousands of devotees gather for prayer and receiving favors. The added attraction here is also a 250 year old historically important beacon of light, which has been preserved in its original and primitive form.
This temple built in the typical Kerala architectural style is 15 kms. south of Alappuzha. It is very famous all over the world for the daily offering of ‘Palpayasam’, deliciously prepared of sweet milk porridge. It is in this temple, palipana is performed by Velans (Sorceres) once in every 12 years. Paintings of Dasavatharam (the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) have been displayed on the inner walls of the chuttambalam. This temple has also a historical significance, as famous ottantullal, a satiric art form originated by the great poet Kunchan Nambiar, was first performed on its premises.
Arthunkal
22kms. north of Alappuzha, Arthunkal is a very prominent place where St. Sebastian’s church; a well known Christian pilgrimage centre is situated. Annual festival, the feast of patron saint falls in the month of January.
Edathua church was established in 1810 and stands dedicated to St. George. It is situated on the Alappuzha – Thiruvalla road and 24 kms away from Alappuzha. It is believed that those people suffering from mental disorders and other ailments come to this church and get cured of their illness. The annual feast falls on the 5th, 6th and 7th of May and pilgrims from all parts of South India, irrespective of caste and creed, visit this church to seek the blessings of the saint.
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
This is an ancient serpent shrine dedicated to the serpent God ‘Nagaraja’ and also known as an internationally renowned pilgrim centre. ‘Sarpa Yakshi’ and ‘Naga Yakshi’ are the beloved consorts of Nagaraja. It is believed that Nagaraja, as the installed deity is endowed with the form of Hari (Lord Vishnu) and the spirit of Lord Shiva. According to the legend, the first priestess of Mannarasala gave birth to headed snake, which was believed to reside in the ancestral house to safeguard the family. At Mannarasala, barren women are believed to be blessed with children. It is also believed that a special turmeric paste available at the shrine is credited with powers to cure even leprosy.
The famous temple festival here is known as ‘Kettukazcha’, which falls during the months, Feb – March. This festival draws large crowds of devotees. During this festival, procession of all decorated structures on chariots, brightly decorated effigies of horses and bullocks and cultural performances etc. will be taken out, thus making it as a splendid spectacle.
