Alappuzha

Alappuzha is one of the coastal districts of Kerala.District heade quarters in Alappuzha.The district was formed on 17 th of Augst 1957 . Till 1990 the district was known as Alleppey in english and in 1990 it is changed to Alappuzha officially.This is one of the major tourist destinations in Kerala. Kerala. The place is also famous for coir. Almost all the major coir manufacturers are head quartered in Alappuzha. In Kerala history Alappuzha has a distinct place as the cradle of Communism in Kerala. Punnapra-Vayalar ,the first communist uprising in the state against the Prime Minister of Princely state of Travancore,British India ,happened here killing 200 people in Punnapra and 150 in Vayalar.

Alappuzha has a mojor place in the trade and commercial history of the state. It was from Alappuzha port that coir and spices were loaded to the ships and exported to the world. The remains of the port are still there. Archeological survey has found out remains of ship on excavation from Thangi near Cherthalai which proves that Alappuzha had business line with major countries in the world.

Alappuzha is considered as once predominant with Buddhism. There are many remains found out in the district to support the view. “KarumadiKuttan” an idol of Budha in Karumadi near Alappuzha evidence this belief.

Alappuzha is the place of Canals and rivers. Most of the areas in Kerala were connected once to this place through water Still Inland water transport is one of the main mode of transport for many villages in the district.

Alappuzha invites attraction from the world over once the festival seasons begins. After pooram festival of Thrissur the main tourist attractions in Kerala are the snake boats and back water rides in house boats at Alappuzha.

Snake boats of Alappuzha are a unique piece of craftsmanship .Once these boats were used as carriers in war between the princely states in Kerala. Now snake boats are feast to eyes in boat races.

The boat race season in Kerala starts with the Moolam Festival in Champakulam every year on Moolam day of the month of Mithuna of Malayalam Calander. This has got its history linked to the installation of deity at Ambalapuzha Srikrishna Temple.Moolam Vallamkali (Moolam Boat race) is part of a ritual more than a race.And is considered as depiction of secularism prevailed in the area from centuries back.
There are many snake boat races in Alappuzha both major and minor.
The world famous Nehru Trophy Boat race is on second Saturday of the month of August every year which commemorates the visit of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru while he was the prime minister of India
The boat race season which starts with Moolam festival continue till the end of Onam festival.(from June till end of September).

The present house boats of Alappuzha were once the heavy cargo carriers used in the state. Now they are into house boats for back water ride.

Allappuzha is the second among the most densely populated districts of Kerala. Almost 29.46% of the district is urbanized.

Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Kuttanad, Karthikapally, Chengannoor and Mavelikkara are the talukas in the district. 91 villages are there in the district.The district headquarters Alappuzha is cris crossed by canals and hence got its title from Lord Kurzon “the venice of the east”.Alappuzha is only district in Kerala which can not boast on having a forest.

Alappuzha is famous for back waters. Most of the paddy fields and villages are land reclaimed from the backwaters. Kuttanad in Alappuzha is the land below sea level and it is the only place in the world were cultivation is done below sea level. Kuttanad is second in position as the major rice producing place after Palakkad. The rice research centre is situated in Mancombu near Alappuzha.There are many varieties of paddy developed here under cultivation in many parts of the country. Mancombu is also the place which gets the maximum rainfall after Chirapunji.

Main Tourist Attractions

Boat races
House boat rides and back water rides
Ravikarunakaran Museum,Alappuzha
Kalloorkadu Forane Church,Champakulam
Karumadikuttan Karumadi

Pilgrim Centres

Ambalapuzha Sreekrishna Swami Temple,Ambalapuzha
Kalloorkadu Forane Church,Champakulam
Arthungal pally,
Edathua pally
Chakulathukavu Bhagavathi temple
Chengannoor Mahadeva Temple

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