Alappuzha Beach: The beach is called Vijay Beach. It offers liberal entertainment facilities. The children’s park here run by DTPC lures many. The boating is a main attraction.
Backwaters: Simply standing on the banks, enjoy the rhythm of backwaters. Then opt for a boat cruise getting sublime views of coconut palms, paddy fields, Chinese fishing nets and toddy tapping. Request the boat pilot to arrange a glass of sweet toddy right from the palmhead to electrify the system. The cruise goes past the canals and islands bestowing the picturesque and scenic views.
Boats on hire available at Boat Jetty close to KSRTC bus station. The DTPC arranges private cruise.
R and QST Block Islands: Alappuzha’s glamour and beauty stretch beyond backwaters and beaches. Its manmade hedged islands uncover hilarious views. They are heaven for migratory birds. The surrounding water inundated paddy fields vouch for the serenity. R Block island greets the visitors with fresh toddy, The toddy shop here serves finger-biting local dishes made of prawns, crabs, clams etc. Kerala State Water Transport Department at Boat Jetty offers passenger boat service.
Kettuvallam & Backwaters: Kettuvallam means houseboat. Houseboat is one of the most famous icons of Kerala: Kettuvallam marvels in Kuttanad’s (Alappuzha) backwaters. The slow-spaced Kuttanadu is immersed in fresh and salt-water eco-system. The lively heritage architecture, fabled backwaters, picturesque landscape and rich culture make the Kuttanad a grab of tourists. To get the best of Kuttanad, boat is the boon. A crew of cook, bearer and driver will be there in the houseboat. From single to 4/5 bedrooms, living room, en-suite bathroom, balcony and equipped kitchen – all in one – to live and sightsee. This comfortable ambling vessel comes with or without AC.
Pathiramanal : A small beautiful island in the Vembanad lake. The rice bowl of Kerala. The queen of backwaters. The mother of boats. In the world arena Kuttanad is known for its enchanting boat races. The snakeboats with over 100 oarsmen in two rows in each oar past the blue-waters with alacrity in tune with the cheerleaders at the prow prompting to be faster. The hypnotic galaxy of vanchipattu (boat songs) reaches the crescendo when the boats near the fisnishing point. India’s late Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, seeing the race in 1952 burst into excitement. Ignoring the security barriers he ventured for an impromptu boat race. The slogan ‘gods own country’ is not a clitche, but a stark historical fact.
Kuttanad:The rice bowl of Kerala. The queen of backwaters. The mother of boats. In the world arena Kuttanad is known for its enchanting boat races. The snakeboats with over 100 oarsmen in two rows in each oar past the blue-waters with alacrity in tune with the cheerleaders at the prow prompting to be faster. The hypnotic galaxy of vanchipattu (boat songs) reaches the crescendo when the boats near the fisnishing point. India’s late Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, seeing the race in 1952 burst into excitement. Ignoring the security barriers he ventured for an impromptu boat race. The slogan ‘gods own country’ is not a clitche, but a stark historical fact.
Kuttanad, on the banks of Vembanad lake in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts, is glamoured with paddy fields. The taste of rice, the staple food of Kerala, with red-hot fish curry or vegetable made with coconut and chilly lingers in the tongue for long. The slant swishing rubber plantations, low spaced life and the deceptively calm atmosphere are real rewards to the visistors. Not only for historical importance, but also for sheer beauty. The spiders here are large as human-hand; the 20 varieties of yellow banana are highly delicious as their own. Kuttanad has one more peculiarity. Kuttanad’s cultivation is below sea-level. The world’s rarests’ rare.
Backwaters are motif for Kuttanad. No life without Kettuvallam – houseboat – the most famous icon of Kerala, in Kuttanad. Experience the Kuttanad majestically in a Kettuvallam – cruising past numerous species of boats criss-crossing the backwaters.
The backwater nomenclature implies inter-connected freshwater canals or rivers feeding towards the sea through lakes. This water seasonally gets charged with saline water of sea when the sea is on rise. An ancient system of locks and sluices block the seawater to the low-lying islands, dotting the backwaters, for paddy cultivation. The islands are amazingly greened with palm fringes. In narrow canals the palms meet overheads like arches to unbox cool shades all over.
Ambalapuzha: Ambalapuzha is a small town. Its fame is centered on the famous Sree Krishna temple located here on Ambalapuzha river bank. A fascinating history surrounds the deity of this temple. Once, Champakasseri king along with his mentor, Vilwamangalath Swamiyar, was traveling in a boat through the river. Their attention was drawn to a lovely sound of flute reading....Click here to see more
Mavelikkara: Mavelikkara is a small town, located 25 km from Ambalapuzha. The famous Chettikulangara Bhagawathi temple is located here. The Bhagawathi here known as Jagadambika and Bhadrakali possesses high rated miraculous powers....Click here to see more
Cheppaud: This place is situated 24 km from Ambalapuzha. Cheppaud is shot into fame due to the famous St George Orthodex Syrian Church built in 13th century. This beautiful Church was built by two prominent families of Cheppaud. It was re-built in 1952, keeping the original frescoes intact. The scenes from Bible depicted here looks magnificent.
Kayamkulam: Kayamkulam town is small. Kayamkulam’s fame is stemmed from its Lake. A number of canals sprout from Lake. The Lake is a feast to the eyes and mind. Many tourists converge to this destination. Women fishing with bamboo poles, men fishing mussels and women spinning coir are interesting common sights here. Criss-crossing boats keep the water engaged all the while.
Chambakulam: Chambakulam is a snake-boat village. The villagers’ main vocation is of making snake-boats.
St Mary’s Church here founded by the St Thomas the Apostle is one amongst the oldest in India. It was rebuilt many times and the present structure claims 500 age. It has no pews and for praying the devotees have to kneel on the floor. Hindus outnumber Christians for pray here.
Vembanad: Vembanad is famed for freshwater Vembanad Lake. Pamba Nadhi (river) and its tributaries nose-dive to this Lake. The Lake and its shores present scenic beauty attracting many visits to its fold.
Arthungal: A famous pilgrim centre of Christians in Kerala. The Church is known as St Sebastian Church. Situated at Shertalai, 22 km from Alappuzha..
Krishnapuram Palace: Situated at Kayakulam , 47 km from Alappuzha. The double storyed palace is in Kerala architectural individuality. The palace contains one of the largest mural panels in Kerala. The ‘Gajendra Moksham’ mural measures 14 feet by 11 feet. Large collection of antiques, paintings and bronzes housed....Click here to see more
Karumadi: Krumadi is a river-side village located 4 km east of Ambalapuzha. This village has historical and geographical importance. Kollam, Pamba and Ambalapuzha Rivers enjoin here and sprout out to different directions. The 10th century granite image of Buddha, villagers divinely called Karumadi Kuttan, is located here. The image is in sitting posture. This is the testimony of Buddhism once prevailed in Kerala.
Thakazhi: Thakazhi is a village located 6 km from Karumadi. Thazhi was shot into fame due to its celebrated son, Thakazhi Shivasankaran Pillai, the late novelist. His novel Chemmeen, narrating the life of fishermen and centering on a romance and tragedy won him Sahitaya Academi Award. He was a Padma Bhushan award winner. His residence, Sankaramangalam House, acquired from his living widow Kamalakshiamma by the Kerala government has transformed into a museum where his several awards, personal effects, pen, spectacles and a typewriter are put on display.
Mannarsala: Near Harippad, 32 km from Alappuzha. The temple here is one of the most important centres of serpent worship in Kerala. On the day of ‘Ayilyam’ in September/October all the serpent idols from the nearby groves carry in process. Thousands assemble to worship the serpent gods during the festival....Click here to see more
Haripad: Haripad town is located 15 km from Ambalapuzha. A several thousands years old Subramanya Swami temple here is very famous. It has a great story to reveal. One day a Brahim in the village had a dream that there is a divine idol in the Kadaloor Lake. He and the village chief went to the Lake in search of the idol....Click here to see more
Cherthala: Cherthala, a major coir weaving centre in Kerala, is located 20 km north of Alappuzha town. Cherthala town is small. North of the town a famous and ancient Bhagawathi temple is there.
Vayalar: Vayalar is situated about 2 km away from Cherthala. Vayalar was rocketed into fame following an agrarian revolt against land-lords in 1946. The revolt was spearheaded by the community party. It was crushed by Travancore State police . The balance sheet of the revolt was the creation of few martyrs. A Martyrs Memorial amongst bullet marked coconut palms welcomes the visitors.
Trikkunnapuzha Trikunnapuzha is an island located south of the Lock separating the freshwater of the backwaters from the saltwater of Kayamkulam region. The island on the waterway connecting Kollam to Kochi is a tourists’ destination enshrined with natural beauty and stay facilities in cottages with modern facilities.
Chakkulathukavu: This place is located 20 km from Ambalapuzha. Chakkalathukavu shot into fame because of the Bhagawathi temple here. Here, a peculiar system prevails. The feet of all the females get washed by priests on the first Friday of the month of Dhanu (December/January). On this day all female devotees visiting the temple arre considered as the incarnation of the deity, devi (Bhagawathi)....Click here to see more temple
