Kerala-Alleppey

Alleppy is a commercial and industrial centere between Quilon and Ernakulam. Alleppey has a large network of canals which cutting through the town, provide its lifeline. Kerala’s famous coir products which find their way to foreign markets are made in the many factories here and there shipped from this port.One of the grandest sights of fered by Alleppey is the mammoth annual snake-boat race held in the backwater. The Chief event is the race for the Late Jawaharlal Nehru after seeing the colourful event in the boat races are held during festive occasions also (August / September) and Onam festival. The two main canals that run through Alleppey were once the major arteries of a great shipping center.Today, however, tangles of water lilies fill the waterwaves, and most of the town's activity revolves around all the local coir (woven coconut fibre) trade. Partly because of its fading economic importance, Alleppey itself offers very little to see and do. Instead, it serves travellers mainely as an embarkation point for the justifiably popular Alleppey-Kollam backwater cruises. Unless you're here during the second saturday in August, when the town snake-boats (traditional Keralite battle vessels) compete in the annual Nehru Trophy Boat race, you'll probably want to hop on a boat and float away as soon as possible.

Ambalappuzha Temple:  This beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is built in typically Kerala style architecture. The temple is famous for its paintings on the wall depicting 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the Dasha - avatar.

Edatgya Church: An ancient church built in the early 19 century, is dedicated to Saint George. The Edatgya church is famous for its healing powers and people form all over the country come here to take the blessings.



Krishnapuram palace: A short distance from Alappuzha is Punnapra, a village that 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.These are the memorial of the martyrs located in Alappuzha near Kalarcode.
Sri Krishna Temple: Here is one of the most important temples in Kerala.

The Beach: No sightseeing can be complete without a beach on the Kerala Coast. The Alleppey beach is no exception to the beauty and the serenity of the other beaches of Kerala. It has one of the ancient lighthouses of Kerala, which is still in working condition.

Mannarsala Nag Raja Temple:  The unique temple of Mannarsala Nag Raja located in the deep forests of Alleppey is dedicate to the Serpent God. The place is believed to have spiritual powers as child less couples come here to take blessings and the special turmeric paste given is said to heal leprosy.

Punnamada Kayal:  A must visit place near the backwaters, which is famous for the annual Nehru Trophy boat race. During this time the whole area is crowded with people who come from far flung places to enjoy this national annual event during the month of August - September.

Aranmula: Aranmula is situated on the banks of the river Pampa, 10 kms away from Chenngannoor.

Aranmula Mirror: Aranmula is also famous for its mutual mirror. It is not made up with mirror but with bell metal.

Aranmula Mirror: Aranmula is also famous for its mutual mirror. It is not made up with mirror but with bell metal.

Chengannur: This incidentally takes us to the famous pilgrimage town of Chengannur.

Sri Bhagavathi Temple: Mother Parvathi and her husband Parameswar, the Creator and creating forces are enshrined in a imposing shring popularly known as Mahadev temple. This sacred temples was built on a vast six acre land. The outer walls the wooden pillors of Srikoil, Mandapam with fine wood carvings, the craftsmanship is so exquisite and impressive and was built by Raja Marthanda Varma.

The highlight of Allepey's tourist calendar is annual Nehru Trophy Boat race, which finds hundreds of oarsmen rowing 65 meter long snake boats. The first race was held in honour of Primeminister Jawahar Lal Nehru during his visit here in 1952. Nehru was so flattered and fascinated by the race that he awaded the winners a trophy; the event soon developed into an Alleppey institution.

Daily backwater cruises run the 80km of green canals that separate Alleppey from Kollam. From the can see the 11th century statue of Buddha, temples, churches, coir producing villages, and an ashram. A traditional Keralite meal is served on banana leaf for lunch and drinks are sold abroad the boat.