Alapuzzha

Alapuzzha

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Kerala is a beautiful place and any district that you choose to visit in the state will reward you with a serene atmosphere and clean environment, full of trees bursting with greenery. But if you’re planning a trip to Kerala and are confused as to which areas to visit, may we suggest Alleppey, also popularly known as Alappuzha. It has several distinctions to its name. The city of Alleppey is known as the cleanest city in India.

The entire district of Alapuzzha is a marvel of natural forces- thanks to its picturesque beaches, endless backwaters, sky-blue lagoons and numerous canals, it is known as “the Venice of the East” and the main city, the “Venetian Capital” of Kerala. Backwaters imply houseboats, and a houseboat vacation is a joy to remember for life. You will find many of these- stationary as well as cruise houseboats- around Alleppey.

Kuttanad Backwaters

Talking about tourism in this region, Kuttanad is considered to be the backwaters paradise of India where backwater cruising is concerned. Kuttanad’s geographical peculiarities along with its paddy fields are what make it edgy and interesting. The vast stretches of paddy fields are beautifully and enchantingly interlaced by backwaters, providing incredible sights. Here, farming is done below the sea level, usually 4 to 10 feet, which is interesting for travellers who seek to learn more about Kerala’s tourism.

Here, four major rivers – Meechil, Achankovil, Pampa and Manimala flow, making this region a hub for travellers who like natural beauty and the swaying of coconut trees. One of the best things to do in Alleppey is to visit these backwaters and enjoy the swish of winds and trees.

Alleppey Beach

The beach has beautiful stretches, making the visit to this beach quite ecstatic and enjoyable. It is also in close proximity to several others places to visit, including the Vijay Park, which is a hub for couples and those who wish to enjoy some solitary time.

The beach is also close to the Sea View Park, which offers an opportunity to enjoy and have fun through different types of boat rides. A picnic spot is located close-by, therefore families can enjoy a day off at the beach and picnic at that spot. Bishop’s House, another popular place of interest is also located close to Alleppey Beach.

The beach is often referred to as the вЂ˜Venice of the East,’ because of its romantic location and popularity among European countries. The beach is also unique because of its importance in the maritime history of Kerala. Alappuzha or Alleppey Beach has also served as a prime location for movies from South India.

Karumadi

A village situated just a few kilometres from Alappuzha or Alleppey, Karumady or Karumadi is one of the places to visit in Alleppey that explorers would love. The place plays a pivotal role in the history and development of Buddhism as a religion and is perhaps best known for the black granite statue of Sri Buddha.

What makes this statue even more alluring is the fact that the left hand side of this Sri Buddha Statue is missing. Several theories have been created regarding that missing hand and how it must have been either cut off or broken over a period of time.

Many fascinating legends surround this statue of Buddha, who was known for his wisdom and philosophy. It is widely believed that the statue of Buddha is affectionate and has a number of magical or mystic powers.

Several travellers, especially the ones who are gravely ill or have someone who is ill, come to this village and touch the feet of this Lord Buddha statue because is believed that the statue has healing powers which can be directly transferred to the healer or the victim.

Marari Beach

This beautiful destination is known for being a beach symphony, thanks to its glistening sands and crystal clear waters. Watching sunrise and sunset here is quite a romantic experience that couples would love to enjoy. The place is rated as one of the World’s Top Five Hammock Beaches by the National Geographic Survey.

The Marari Beach is known for providing unique experiences to the travellers. Taking them away from the modern life, this beach gives them an opportunity to unwind and to enjoy the different facets and bounties of life and nature.

The village by the sea is one of the best places to visit in Alleppey where one can go to learn more about the culture and heritage of Kerala. Ecology is an important consideration at this beach and therefore travellers have to follow strict rules for keeping the beach and its surroundings pristine.

Pandavan Rock

Deriving its name from the Pandavas in the epic Indian tale of Mahabharata, the Pandavan Rock is known for being one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. It is widely believed that this was the cave inside which the Pandavas stayed during the time of their exile.

Currently, this beautiful rock serves as a backdrop for a picnic spot. Tourists are supposed to walk to the destination, but with family or friends, the walk becomes quite interesting and an incredible learning experience. Along the trails, travellers can easily enjoy the stunning views of hills and forests.

Pathiramanal lsland

Pathiramanal, which means “Sands of the Night”, is a small lake island located on the backwaters of Alappuzha in Lake Vembanad. It is a bird watcher’s paradise since it is supposed to hold approximately 91 local species of birds and 50 species of migratory birds. The location of the island is extremely scenic, making it a lovely space to observe birds and the water. It is also completely uninhabited so you don’t have to worry about the crowd and hawkers disrupting the beauty.

However, because it is uninhabited and not a major tourist hotspot, you will find that it lacks the usual facilities that bring tourists comfort like benches in order to sit, restrooms, and places to buy food from. Let this not be a distraction since the island is very small and can be toured within an hour, which means that you won’t necessarily be inconvenienced by the lack of facilities, especially if you go prepared. The ride across Lake Vembanad is lovely as is the experience of walking through the island.

Vembanad Lake

This is one of the best places to visit in Alleppey that you absolutely cannot miss. Vembanad Lake is Kerala’s longest lake and is also among the largest in India. Several canals empty their water into the lake at several points along its wide expanse. Since it is a long lake, it covers many districts of Kerala and goes by different names in each district like Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad, Kochi Lake in Kochi.

Many small islands dot its length. Boating in this lake is a great way to experience the backwaters of Kerala. The Kumarakom Tourist Village offers houseboat cruises and holiday packages which you can take advantage of and so have the best possible backwater boating experience on your trip. The lake is full of exciting possibilities- just imagine yourself floating on the lake early in the morning, sipping a hot cup of coffee and listening to the gentle lapping of the waves and chirping of birds. Now that is peace and happiness!

And if you get a chance to go to this place during August, you will be in luck. The Annual Snake Boat Race or Vallam Kali takes place at this time and is a major attraction. The sight is amazing, to say the least. Do plan a houseboat trip on the lake while planning your Kerala itinerary.

Ambalapuzha Temple

Ambalapuzha Temple is one of the most rewarding places to visit in Alleppey. The temple is the oldest Krishna temples in Kerala and among the oldest in India too. The temple was built around 15th to 17th century AD and has been one of the strongholds of Krishna devotees for centuries. The temple has a lovely, soothing ambience which will calm you down and make you simply want to sit in the temple for hours on the end.

Since there is no entry fees and everyone is allowed to enter inside. Ambalapuzha Temple is also a favourite hangout spot of foreigners. And it deserves all the attention it gets. The inner sanctum is decorated with paintings of Sri Krishna and the other incarnations of Lord Vishnu. A large mandapam outside is a great place to sit and absorb the atmosphere of the temple. Because of its importance in the Vaishnava tradition, the temple is also popularly considered to be the “Dwarka of the South”, which is a great distinction to confer on a place.

When in the temple, don’t forget to have the famed sweet milk porridge- Palpayasam. Visitors love this prasad and it is actually counted among the attractions of the temple. An annual festival takes place in the month of March or April and it draws large crowd to the place. If your trip coincides with the ritual festival that takes place every 12 years and is performed by вЂ˜sorcerers’, you are in luck. You get to participate in a rare cultural occurrence which has been around for centuries. In the earlier years, human sacrifice was a part of the tradition though it has now been replaced by a cock sacrifice.

Karumadikkuttan

Karumadikkuttan is a major Buddhist tourist spots in Kerala. It is an ancient statue of Buddha, made of black granite stone and believed to have been sculpted by Buddhist monks visiting Alleppey around the 9th to 14th centuries AD. The statue is believed to have healing powers and it is a powerful mainstay of Buddhism in the region. As a result of these combined factors, the ancient statue draws a lot of crowd.

Unfortunately, only half a side of the statue is intact. Local rumours suggest that the other half was broken when an elephant ran into it. Nonetheless, the importance of the statue is such that it is under the care and protection of the Archaeological Survey of India. It is located in a small village, some kilometres away from Ambalappuzha which makes it convenient to reach. As it is open all day and night for pilgrims, you can easily plan a trip.

Perhaps you could combine a visit to this statue of Buddha with your visit to the Ambalapuzzha Temple since both pilgrimage sites are located in the same area. After you’ve seen the statue, you could also explore the backwaters around the village.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Nothing gets better than a bird sanctuary located within the lush green lands of Kerala. Situated on the banks of the well-known Vemband Lake of Kerala in Kumarakom, this sanctuary is a favourite of both birds and bird-watchers. It is a beautiful place full of the chatter of birds from all parts of India and the world. As important as it is to visit the backwaters when in Kerala, it is equally important to visit some of the forests in the state which give it its awe-inspiring lush green landscape.

What better way to do so than by stepping into Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary? You get to enjoy the tree scented air as well watch the many birds which flock this forest. And as an added bonus, you can enjoy the facilities set up in here by the Kerala Tourism Development Commission. They have set up an interpretation centre along with a large resort in the middle of the bird sanctuary. You can stop here for some informative insights into the birds and later taste some great Kerala cuisine in the resort.

Kayamkulam Lake

Kayamkulam Lake used to be a lake, before the authorities decided to break the bar separating it from the Arabian Sea to build a fishing harbour. As a result, it is now a lagoon. It is a place full of activity including fishing, races or other touristic activities. The aquatic life in this lagoon is very viable commercially, hence the popularity of the spot as a fishing ground. Alongside the fish, many birds also make themselves at home in the environs surrounding the waterbody.

As far as tourist attractions go, there is plenty to do here especially after the Alappuzha Mega Tourism Project took it up for development. Expect a variety of activity zones here. You can use the Cycling Track or Recreation Room or lunch on the floating restaurant or pay a visit to the Tsunami Museum or the Adventure zone. The list of activities also includes visiting Boardwalk, View Point, Landscaping, Yard lighting, Houseboat Jetty and a waterway for boats, in short, everything is available here.

A famous boat racing competition by the name of Kayamkulam Boat Race takes place here as well. If you are travelling to Kerala with children, do not forget to take them here. They will love it. The views of the Arabian Sea are also undoubtedly breathtaking. To view the wide expanse of ceaseless waves crashing on top of each other , will give you an experience to remember forever. Don’t forget to visit the Kuvamkulam Lake when in Kerala.

St. Andrew's Basilica Arthunkal

Located in Kumarakom, a district in the vicinity of Alleppey, this is one of the best destinations for those who wish to enjoy the perks of wildlife. Providing a rendezvous with the wild, this bird sanctuary is perhaps best known for its migratory birds and animals which make it a paradise for ornithologists.

Set in Kerala’s backwaters, this bird sanctuary was initially built as a rubber plantation and then slowly turned into a sanctuary by an Englishman. Spread over 14 acres, this sanctuary is located on the Southern Bank of the Kavanar River, which serves as a hub for travellers from all over the world.

This beautiful sanctuary is also known for its neighbouring areas, where explorers love to enjoy bird watching activities. The tropical climate of Kerala makes this sanctuary a heaven during the on-season months, wherein travellers can easily invigorate themselves with the beauty and greenery of the surroundings.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated here with zeal and vigour. This is the day when the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation organises events and bird watching programmes for travellers. The main attractions at this sanctuary include cuckoo, waterfowl, cormorant, darter, owl, egret, heron, duck and Brahminy kite and Siberian Crane along with flycatcher, lark, parrot and teal, all of which migrate from all over the world, including Siberia.