Wayanad ! Kovalam No matter where you go in Kerala.. answer is No 1 : Alleppey ! The city is officially referred to as Alappuzha or Alleppey is known by its extensive network of canals & lagoons that are adorned with gorgeous backwaters as well as houseboats with overnight stay.
In south of Kerala & along coast of Alleppey is home to one most accurate beaches which offer water sports during when it is dry. Along with other stunning locations located in Kerala such as Munnar or Thekkady Alleppey is frequently regarded as great destination as romantic destination or wonderful family trip.
Alleppey’s palm fringed network of interconnecting canal backwaters draws many tourists from across globe. Kuttanad is also known as ‘Rice Bowl’ covers significant portion of Allapuzha & hosts lush paddy fields that are green along with backwaters lakes and. There are many homes houseboats & refreshing Ayurvedic hotels that makes stay in Alleppey an unforgettable experience.
Houseboats travel through tranquil backwaters where there are few glimpses of paddy fields in green choir making activities as well as witness daily life of people living in Kerala.
Alleppey is also filled with iconic temples such as Chettikulangara Devi Temple as well as Mullakkal Temple. You must make sure to see traditional Snake Boat Race at Punnamada Lakein months between September & August. You can also take taste of Toddy (palm wine) at your local toddy shop to add real flavor to your trip in Allepey.
Top 10 places in alappuzha tourism
Alappuzha Also called Alleppey is gorgeous town situated in Kerala South India. It is famous for its beaches backwaters & temples. Below is listing of top 10 destinations to visit in Alappuzha:
- Alappuzha Backwaters tranquil network of canals lagoons & rivers that are perfect to enjoy relaxing cruise on houseboat. There is lush greenery of Kerala villages & distinct appeal of Kerala.
- Alleppey Beach: Popular beach with golden sands. It is ideal to swim sunbathing while taking in stunning views that overlook Laccadive Sea. There are also beach umbrellas food from vendors & take in sun set.
- Marari Beach:A private beach that is surrounded by pristine water with palms. This is perfect place for relaxing & rejuvination. There are spas & resorts there too.
- Vembanad Lake: largest freshwater lake in India is known for its unique ecosystem as well as boat trips.
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: An ideal bird watching spot with hundreds of resident & migration bird species. It is possible to take cruises throughout sanctuary & observe various bird species.
- Krishnapuram Palace: An 18th century mansion which is now an art gallery that exhibits ancient & archaeological artifacts such as bronze sculptures as well as wood carvings & an old collection of coins.
- Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple: Hindu temple that is dedicated in honor of Lord Krishna. It is famous for annually held Palipanai (snake boats race) festival.
- St. Mary’s Forane Church: One of oldest churches located in Kerala constructed during sixteenth century. It is beautiful in its architecture & significant religious meaning.
- Alappuzha Lighthouse: lighthouse was built in 19th century & offers panoramic view of town & coastline. lighthouse can be climbed with small fee.
- Kuttanad: Also known as “rice bowl of Kerala” Kuttanad is region that is known for its beautiful paddy fields as well as its old fashioned farming methods. There is an excursion on boat to discover villages & canals.
History of Alleppey
Alleppey’s past is traced back beginning in around year 1100 AD when saint St. Thomas was one of 12 followers of Jesus Christ arrived here & established Christianity to South India. foundation of Christian religion was further reinforced by Portuguese as well as Dutch forces that arrived several years later & established dominance of this area.
The famed St. Andrews Basilica was built by Portuguese at end of 17th century. Alleppey was also part of influences from Maharaja Marthanda Varma who is often referred to as “Maker of modern Travancore’. town played crucial part in struggle for independence of India spawning rebellions in opposition to ruling feudal British Raj. legendary Communist revolt called Punnapra Vayalur took place in this town in which more than 1000 people perished in course of fighting.
Foods in Alappuzha
Alappuzha is also referred to as Alleppey is coastal town that is famous for its beautiful backwaters as well as amazing food. best 10 food items you need to explore in Alappuzha:
- Karimeen Pollichathu: This dish is one of most popular dishes from Kerala that is must for people who enjoy seafood. pearl spot fish is marinated in mixture of spices then wrapped in banana leaf can be cooked to perfect level. Banana leaf adds distinctive flavor for fish. This makes it extremely moist & flavorful.
- Meen Curry: different speciality of seafood industry this curry can be made with variety of fish coconut milk as well as mix that includes Keralan spices. This produces rich & tasty curry delicious with steamed rice or appams.
- Kappa along with Meen Curry Kappa can be described as basic food made of cooked tapioca. If you pair it with rich Meen Curry it is an exquisite & tasty dish.
- Kerala Sadhya is vegetarian dish that is served on banana leaf Kerala Sadhya is dining experience that shouldn’t miss. It’s mix of meals which include rice sambar & avial & thoran. It also includes olan & payasam.
- Puttu as well as Kadala Curry Puttu can be described as rice based cake that is steaming that is made from grated coconut. It’s typically eaten alongside kadala curry. It is black chickpea spice that tastes delicious & is healthy.
- Appam accompanied by Stew Appams are sweet pancakes that are made of fermented rice flour. They’re served with stewed vegetables or chicken to create delicious comfort food.
- Idiyappam served with egg curry: Idiyappams can be described as string hoppers crafted out of Rice flour dough. These are usually served with hot egg curry. It is perfect food.
- Malabar Parotta: This flaky flatbread is made from maida flour & oil ghee. It’s usually served alongside stews & curries but can also be consumed by itself.
- Banana Chips most well known snack from Kerala state of Kerala banana chips are made with small slices of bananas which are cooked until they are crispy. chips are sweet & salty snack that will satisfy craving.
- Ela Ada: Ela Ada is dessert created with steamed rice pancakes that are filled with mix of jaggery & coconut. It’s delicious & satiating way to finish an evening.
Paddy Cultivation in Backwaters
The Backwaters in Alleppey is home of Kuttanad commonly referred to Rice Bowl of Kerala. trip on houseboat through this area is an amazing landscape of lush paddy fields dotted by coconut trees. Paddy fields are cultivated over vast areas of land that was reclaimed that was formerly part of Vembanad lake. Reclamation occurred in three years between 1865 & 1940. These areas that were reclaimed are known as Padsekharam. In beginning reclamation was performed manually by water wheels & then by steam engines. fields of paddy are watered through four major rivers: Pampa Meenachil Achankovil & Manimala. There are speculations that claim this is only region on earth where agriculture is carried out up to two meters below level of sea.
Stays in Allepey
Certain names always rank highly for Budget friendly stays are:
- Marari Neena Homestay:This housestay is near to beach. It has clean comfortable bedrooms with balconies.
- White Shore Beach HomestayThis property is near beach & provides wide range of rooms for guests to select from.
- HAILS HOMESTAYThis housestay is situated in Punnamada & has stunning views over Lake.
- Zostel Alleppey:This hostel is fantastic choice for travelers who are social & has dorms & rooms with private bathrooms.
The prices may fluctuate based upon season & availability. It is always recommended to conduct your own research & reserve your room ahead of time particularly in peak seasons.
Homestays can be wonderful option to explore Kerala’s rich tradition & hospitality. lot of homestays are located in Alappuzha have clean & cozy accommodation at reasonable cost. It is also possible to experience taste of traditional Kerala food. Hostels can be good opportunity for those on budget who would like to socialize with fellow travellers. Alappuzha offers handful of hostels with dorm rooms & rooms with private bathrooms at affordable costs.
Shopping in Alleppey
One of interesting activities to enjoy in Alleppey is to look for souvenirs & other knickitems from local market or street vendors. most popular products to purchase include real spice crafts & coir based products South Indian jewellery textiles such as carpets trinkets & other items. There are also stores where you can buy major manufacturers.
Restaurants & Local Food in Alleppey
Alleppey’s cuisine is full of must haves. It is impossible to experience Allepey in past if you’ve not efforts it. Ghee Roast Dosa & Malayalee Parotha. In addition to appams as well as Idlisform provide basic ingredients but you could also have “Toddy” which is locally produced alcohol drink that has been fermented by coconut & palm palms. Rice wine is also efforts within Alleppey. most important activities to try in Alleppey is to taste cuisine of region. In addition to well known Puttu Kadala Appam Vada & curry as well as various other typical Kerala foods you can enjoy home cooked seafood & fish. These dishes all have an extremely strong coconut flavor.
Suggested Itinerary for Alleppey
Day 1
Get to Alleppey at least by midday & then take relaxation. After dinner evening take some strolls through famous markets in Alleppey and in particular Mulakkal in which you could purchase some items of souvenir particularly items like coir bags rug etc. aside from local spices to take home for your own.
Day 2
The following day must be planned for visit to renowned Nehru Trophy Boat Race when time of visit is in monsoon season nor you can visit stunning Krishnapuram Palace. On way go on houseboat or cruiser to backwaters in Alleppey.
Day 3
The last day of your trip can begin with stunning panorama of ocean from Alleppey beach. About an hour’s drive away from Alleppey Beach are Kumarakoram Bird Sanctuary which is home to an amazing variety of bird species.
Alappuzha Houseboats:
Often referred by some as being”the Venice of East Alappuzha has always had its place in history of maritime Kerala. Nowadays it’s well known for boat races backwater beaches as well as marine related products & Coir production.
Alappuzha Beach is popular beach for picnics. pier that extends all way to sea this is more than 140 years old. Facilities for entertainment at Vijaya Beach Park add to charm to beaches. park also has an ancient lighthouse that is nearby which captivates anyone who comes to visit.
A different enjoyable experience to enjoy while visiting Alappuzha is cruise on houseboat. Houseboats within backwaters in Alappuzha actually some sort of re worked versions from those of Kettuvallamsof past.
Kettuvallam was an Malayalam word which ‘Kettu is reference to living structures while ‘Vallom’ is boat. old days were when kettuvallam nor boat that has thatched roofs which covered wooden hulls was utilized for transporting loads of rice & other spices.
In recent times houses are complete with luxury of hotel room such as furnished rooms contemporary toilets spacious living areas with kitchen & an angler’s balcony. Uninterrupted views of life in backwaters could be taken advantage of while you stay on houses on boat.
Houseboats:
Houseboats are offered in Thiruvananthapuram Kollam Kottayam Allappuzha Ernakulam Thrissur & Kasaragod. Contact DTPCs for further information. DTPC Houseboat Prepaid Counter Alappuzha To book houseboats travelers can make use of house Boat Pre paid Counter “Trusted Service with Trusted Rates’ that is operated through District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).
Contact details
Alappuzha – Houseboat Pre-paid Counter Mobile: 09400051796, 09447483308, +91 477 2251796, +91 477 2253308
Nearest station: Alappuzha
Nearest airport:Cochin International Airport.. about 85 km from Alappuzha town.
LOCATION : Latitude:9.4981° NLongitude:76.3388° E
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