Alleppey

Also known as Alappuzha.

It is a very popular tourist destination, known as 'The Venice of the East'. In 2016, Centre for Science and Environment rated Alappuzha as the top cleanest city in India. The Backwaters of Alappuzha are the most popular tourist attraction in Kerala. A houseboat cruise in these backwaters can be booked.

The Alappuzha Beach is clean and beautiful.

Temples

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple

Believed to have been built during 15th-17th century. The payasam served in the Ambalappuzha Temple is famous among Hindu devotees.

St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal

Originally built by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century. Rebuilt in 1584 and 1640. (Roman Catholic).

Mannarasala Temple

A very ancient and internationally known centre of pilgrimage for the devotees of serpent gods (Nagaraja). Women come here to pray for fertility, and give thanksgiving upon the birth of a child. The temple is located about three kilometers to the north-east of the bus station in N.H.47 at Haripad, in Alappuzha district of Kerala.

Chettikulangara Devi Temple

The temple is located at Chettikulangara in Mavelikkara taluk of Alappuzha district. The temple is situated about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of Mavelikkara, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north of Kayamkulam on SH6 (Kayamkulam - Thiruvalla Highway). It is estimated that the temple has earnings worth many crores per year. In 2009 it earned around 1.7 crore Rupees from a single type of offering called "Chanthattam". A major part of the Nellu offered to the Bhagavathi is also used to make Appam and Aravana prasadams at Sabarimala.(Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage centre located at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Perunad grama panchayat in Kerala. It is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world, with an estimated over 100 million devotees visiting every year) The income from the temple is also helpful to run the daily rituals and Poojas at various temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board. UNESCO is at present deciding whether to put it on its World Heritage List. The temple is believed to be 1200 years old.

Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple

One of the oldest temples in Kerala. (Before advent Kaliyuga=3,100 BCE). This is really amazing! The presiding deity of the temple is Murugan in four armed form.

Thakazhy Sree Dharma Sastha Temple

Thakazhy Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is six kilometers from Ambalapuzha at Thakazhy in Alappuzha district. The presiding deity is Shasthavu (Lord Ayyappan) who faces east.

Mullakkal Temple

One of the most popular temples of Kerala housed at the city Alleppey. The temple is also known as Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple, and Mullakkal Bhagwati Temple The idol placed on the shrine is of Durga Maa with four arms, popularly known as “Mullakkal Devi” aka “Mullakkal Amma”. There are other deities in the temple; they are Hanuman Swami, Lord Ganesha, Subramanya Swami, Nagaraja, Navagraha, Sree Krishna, and Lord Ayyappa.

Edathua Pilgrim Centre

Situated 12 km from Thiruvalla town. People from throughout the state as well as from the neighbouring states visit the town and the church. The very ancient Niranam Orthodox Church, believed to be originally established by St Thomas himself, the disciple of Jesus Christ, in the 1st century AD, is just a few kilometres south-east of Edathua. There are a number of ancient Hindu temples with interesting legends and history in the surrounding villages of Edathua such as Changankary, Pandankary, Mithrakkary, Kozhimukk, Anapparampal and Veeyapuram. Veeyapuram also has a Muslem mosque. The Chakkulathukavu temple which has become very famous for the ponkala celebration in recent decades is less than 5 km east of Edathua. The Mannarsala Snake Temple, believed to be more than 3000 years old, is just a few kilometres south of Edathua.

Alappuzha CSI Christ Church

(oldest Anglican church in Central Kerala)

St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Champakulam

One of the oldest Christian churches in India and the mother church of almost all Catholic Syrian churches in Alleppey District. Believed to be established in AD 427.

Krishnapuram Palace

Built in the 18th century, The palace is maintained by the Archaeological Department of Kerala and contains exhibits that belonged to the Palace and its former occupant, the Travancore Maharaja Marthanda Varma.

Festivals

Nehru Boat Race

The annual Vallam Kali (Nehru Trophy Boat Race) is held in the backwaters in the month of September associated with the Onam festival. The main attraction is the Chundan Vallam (Snake Boat) race, in which a number of contestants are in the running for the famous Prime Minister's trophy, a trophy donated by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.

Chettikulangara Bharani

Among the most important temple festivals of Kerala. The festival occurs on the Bharani asterism in February/March. The main rituals of the festival are the 'Kuthiyottam' and 'Kettukazcha'. The 'Kuthiyottam' features a procession of young boys who have observed rigorous ritual penance. Traditional drums, music and glittering ornamental parasols accompany this procession of boys who dance in a trance.

Chirappu Mahotsavam

At Mallakal temple. In December; Christmas comes between the festival and there are circuses,exhibitions and many tourists. There is also a display of nine tuskers with traditional music.

Padanilam Sivarathri

Padanilam Sivarathri is another important religious event in Alappuzha district. This festival is held every year in the Padanilam Parabrahma Temple.

Mannarasala Temple

Festival in October/November.Another festival celebrated by the temple is a one-day Thaipooyan Kavadi.

Amabalapuzha Temple Festival

Established during 15th century. Used to involve human sacrifice, now cocks sacrificed.

Festivals of the Haripad Temple

The Avani Utsavam in Chingom, Markazhi Utsavam in Dhanu, Chitra Utsavam in Medom form the Utsava Trayam.Trikkarthika in Vrischikam, Prathishta day in Idavam, Skanda Ashthami in Thulam, Navarathri in Kanni and Thaipooyam in Makaram are some of the other important festivals of the Haripad Temple.

Beach Festival

Another important celebration in Alappuzha is the "Beach Festival", held from December 30 to January 2.

Travel Information

By Air

Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport. Get a taxi to get from Cochin airport to Cochin, then Bus or train to Alleppey. Alternatively come to airports at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kozhikode (Calicut), Bangalore and catch a train to Alappuzha.

By Train

Alleppey has a train station with links to major cities in India.

By Bus

Alleppey s well served with buses, including overnight buses.

Climate

Heavy rainfall April to November. Summer March-May 37 °C. Like the rest of Kerala, the climate is more temperate than Tamil Nadu. December to February 17 °C to 32 °C ... cool winter