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India » Alleppey
 City Guide
 
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There is an intricate web of waterways in Kerala, where the sea playfully teases the shore. The lagoons gently brush past villages and overhanging grass, and throw back the palms reflection off their blue-green-blue surface.
Kollam and Alleppey hit the tourist map as the launch pad for the backwater cruises. They are both typical little market towns but tall coconut palms sway in the cool breeze, cashew plantations dot the surrounding countryside and scenic little houses line the streets. The backwater cruises in Kerala are definitely a must-do. The houseboats may look rugged on the outside but inside they have a quaint rustic softness. Western toilets, neat rooms, fresh catch cooked to perfection in the local way, a gently nattering boatman......this is life!
The summers are muggy till the rains break and bring wet relief in June. The slush becomes all-pervasive, and so do the green and the bugs. Hardened travellers wouldn t mind but novices and strictly pleasure travellers should stick with the October to February official season. The famous Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race at Alleppey is a sight to behold. Long serpentine boats rowed in rhythmic frenzy by multiple sets of shining able-bodied Malayali men compete for this prized trophy. The boat race is held in mid-January for tourists, while the real competition is scheduled for the second Saturday of August, every year.
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| The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram, which is easily accessible from Kollam. Quite a few trains pass through Kollam on their way to and from larger cities. The best train journey is the one from Chennai s Egmore; the Quilon Mail winds its way beautifully across the Western Ghats. Buses ply really cheap from Thiruvananthapuram, and Ernakulam. A great arrangement is to have a hired taxi waiting for you to ferry you around after your Kettuvallam cruise down the backwaters gets over. |
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Nehru Trophy Boat Race
The most colourful water sport in Kerala, is conducted at PUNNAMADA LAKE in Alappuzha on the second saturday of every August. This prestigious cultural event of Kerala has been attracting people from all over the world. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a festival for the people of Alleppey the main attraction of which is the sportive sprits among the participants of the race.
This trophy named as NEHRU TROPHY was donated by the late Prime Minister of INDIA Jawaharlal Nehru to the winners of the first boat race which was an impromptu one conducted in 1952 in honour of Panditji who visited Alappuzha.
This aquatic festival fosters a sense of unity and fraternity and sports man spirit event and attaching foreign tourists also.
In the year 1952, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin. On his way to Alleppey from Kottayam he was given a roaring reception by the people of Alleppey, escorted by the huge snake-boats. Having gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat popularly known as Chundan, Jawaharlal Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner.
The trophy is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the following words of Panditji are inscribed above his signature.
Kuttanad
Kuttanad, called the rice bowl of Kerala, because of her wealth of paddy crops is at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of bananas. Yams and cassava which accompany the rice bowl as "side dishes". This is one of the places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land level is an amazing feature of this unique land.
Pathiramanal (14 kilometers from Alappuzha)
This little island on the backwaters is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. This island is accessible only by boat.
Alappuzha beach
The Alappuzha beach, with its beautiful garden on the shore, gives an exclusive sight. Imposing buildings of a colonial past overlooks the shore. The long pier which darts over to the sea is a rare sight. Dense Palm groves at one end and an ancient towering light house at the other end. Vijay Park and Sea view park are situated near the beach. Boating Facility is available in both Parks.
Krishnapuram Palace
He 18th century Krishnapuram Palace built during the reign of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Varma, is a double storied structure which displays typical characteristics of Kerala architecture-gabled roofs, dormar windows, narrow corridors. It houses one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala called the Gajendra Moksham. It measures14 feet by 11 feet and is at the western end of the ground floor, a walking distance from the Palace Pool. Inside is also a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes. Situated 47 kms from Alappuzha on the way to Kollam, Krishnapuram is easily accessible by bus from either town.
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