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| Alappuzha |
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One of the real legacies of nature, Alappuzha is known as the 'Venice of the South'. The districts interlocked canals, rivers, shores, backwaters, lagoons and lush green paddy fields are enough to make the statement in our mind 'The God's own country'. Alappuzha is one of the major centers for backwater tourism in Kerala. Arabian sea bounds the west of the district and that why the district has a large network of lakes, lagoons and several freshwater rivers. The name Alappuzha has the etymological meaning 'The land lies between sea and its rivers'. The best time to visit this region is between July and September. Alappuzha is very famous for boat races like Nehru Trophy, which happens at Punnamada Kayal and many other boat races, are there in the district that steals your heart. Voyaging through backwater in a Kettuvallam (House boat) is also a main attraction here. Besides tourism the district economy is dependent on prawn farming and paddy cultivation. Kuttanad in Alappuzha is known as the 'Nellara' (Rice bowl) of Kerala because of the huge amount of paddy cultivation happens there. It is one of the few places on earth where farming g is done under the sea level. It is well known also for coir carpet manufacturing. Alappuzha is the only district in Kerala without any forest.
Alappuzha is well connected by road, rail, air and water. Alappuzha is located on the NH 47, which connects Salem to Kanyakumari. KSRTC operates bus services to Alappuzha from all major cities in the state as well as from neighboring states. The railway station lies 5 kilometers from the KSRTC stand and is well connected with Cochin and Trivandrum. Through rail, Alappuzha connected to distant cities like Mumbai, Chennai etc because of Express trains to those destinations. The nearest airport here is Cochin, which is 90 kilometer away and while Trivandrum, is about 160 kilometer away.
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Places of Attraction in Alappuzha
1. Sree Krishna Temple, Ambalappuzha
At this temple Lord Krishna is worshiped in the Child form (Balagopalan). The inner walls of the Chuttambalam (outer enclosure of the temple) are decorated with murals depicting the ten incarnations of Lord Mahavishnu. The temple is renowned for its daily offering to the devotees and that is the most famous 'Ambalappuzha Palpayasam'. Its one of the major Sree Krishna temples in the state. The annual festival of this temple falls on April. 'Ottan Thullal' (an art form created by poet Kunjan Nambiar) was first performed here. The temple lies a few kilometers away from Alappuzha. The worshiping time here is between 3.00 am to noon and in between 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm. The temple permits only Hindus to enter.
2. Pathiramanal
This tiny beautiful island is located at the Vembanad Lake. The island is home for hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. The name Pathiramanal has the meaning 'The Sand of Midnight' and it lies in between Kumarakom and Thannermukkom. The place is accessible only by boat.
3. R-block Kayal
R-block is the largest reclaimed area from backwaters in Kerala and its nearly 850 acres. The process of reclaiming land from water started 100 years ago. Government allowed people to reclaim, as much as land they wanted on one condition and that was they need to cultivate paddy. Huge dykes used here which came from Netherlands is an attraction. A boat trip along the backwaters and canals here is a lifetime pleasure. The place can easily accessible buy boat from Alappuzha jetty.
4. Karumadikuttan
The name Karumadikuttan denotes Buddha. The idol here is a black granite figure of Buddha and this idol is said to belong to the 9th century during the reign of 'Ay' kings who patronized Buddhism in Kerala. The temple lies 3 kilometer east of Ambalappuzha.
5. Krishnapuram Palace Museum
The place, which is now converted in to a museum, was built by the Raja Marthandavarma, the king of Travancore. The palace is a miniature model of Padmanabhapuram palace in Trivandrum. This 16-block building covers an area of around 2 acres and is a good example of Kerala architecture. The palace is now an archeological museum and well stored with paintings, murals, antique furniture and sculptures. The museum holds the three-meter high mural 'Gajendramoksham' which is observed as the largest mural painting in Kerala. The palace situates at Kayamkulam, well connected to Alappuzha by road and opens everyday except Mondays. The visiting time here is between 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and between 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm and permits everyone under a cheap rate.
6. Chakkulathukavu Bhagavathy Temple
This temple stands for religious amity as it permits all people without asking their belief system. 'Vanadurga' is the presiding deity here who has special affinity for women. The 'naari pooja' (Worshiping womanhood) is a part of the annual festival here and this ritual happens in a few temples in Kerala. The temple is located 30-kilometer southeast of Alappuzha near Neerettupuram, which is famous for a boat race during Onam. The worshiping time here is from 5.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 4.30 pm to 8.00 pm.
7. Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple
The presiding deity here is 'Bhadrakali'. The annual festival is a very popular one known as the 'Bharani festival'. Specials rituals like Kuthiyottam and Kettukazcha processions takes place on this day. The temple lies 52 kilometers from town. The visiting time here is from 5.00 am to 12.00 noon and from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm.
8. Chavara Bhavan
Chavara Bhavan is the ancestral home of blessed Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara. The place now became a spiritual resort. The church has been built around the house. It lies 6 kilometer far from the town and accessible only by boat.
9. Champakulam Church
Champakulam St. Mary's church is said to be the oldest church in Kerala. It is said that St. Thomas established this church in AD 427 and it is one of the 7 churches he established. The annual fest of this church falls on 3rd Sunday of October every year. The place is a part of the Kuttanad and easily accessible.
10. Edathua St. George Chruch
This massive church is located on the shores of Pamaba, was established in 1810 lies 23-kilometer southeast of Alappuzha. St. George is said to be credited with many miracles and during the annual feast which falls on last weak of April, devotees used to came from various parts of South India and offers images of human organs and images of serpents to him. The Sunday mass here is at 6.00 am, 8.00 am, 10.00 am and 4.00 pm.
11. Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple.
The prime deity here is Nagaraja Vasuki and the temple was decorated with over 30,000 images of sneak gods. This is a good home for sneaks. Childless couples are the main devotees of this temple. The temple lies at Haripad which 30 kilometer south of Alappuzha.
12. Alappuzha Beach
This is one of the most famous picnic spot in Alappuzha. There is a pier at the northern edge of the beach which extends to the sea is hundreds of year old. An old Lighthouse is here also which was constructed in 1862. A park namely Vijaya beach park located adjacent to the beach. The beach is 3 kilometer far from the KSRTC stand.
13. Boat races
Alappuzha boat races are very famous. The Nehru Trophy boat race at Punnamanada kayal falls second Saturday of August is said to be the biggest team sport in the globe. There are may more boat races here than the Nehru Trophy because of the topological peculiarity of this region. Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi boat race falls on last Saturday of August, Payippad ‘jalotsavam’ (Water festival) falls August - September, Neerettupram boat race falls during Onam, Champakulam Moolam boat race at Haripad falls June-July are the important ones.
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