Alleppey (Alappuzha) is prominent on the tourist trail as it is one of the major
centers for backwater boat trips. With Arabian sea on the west, Alappuzha
has a large network of lakes, lagoons and several freshwater rivers
intersections. Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist
center, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists every year who come
here to enjoy the serene marine beauty of the state. Boat races, houseboat
holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry are some of the major
attractions offered by Alappuzha.
Some of the unique attractions of Alappuzha are:
Water Sports: Tourists can participate in numerous
beach activities offered on the beautiful Alappuzha beach. For instance, you
could indulge in any of the exciting water sports such as surfing or
parasailing, or go swimming in the clear blue sea, or even try your hand at
building a sand castle or playing a game of beach volleyball.
Boat Races: It is held in the months of August and
September when the earth is moist and rain-drenched and the glorious
backwaters overflows. Hundreds of men and women gather on the banks to
witness a spectacular view especially, the Snake Boat Races.
The most famous event of boat race is the "Nehru Trophy Boat Race".
It is held on the second saturday of every August. There are a dozen other
snake boat races, providing an unforgettable and truly special scene. The
fund of energy, spirit of competition and unerring co-ordination makes this
sport extremely dynamic.
Some of the travel attractions of Alleppey are:
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.
Krishnapuram Palace: The 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, dormer windows, narrow corridors.
Ambalappuzha (Pilgrim Center): The Sri Krishna
Temple at Ambalapuzha, 14 kms from Alleppey is among Kerala's more famous
ones boasting of the typical temple architectural style of the state.
Pathiramanal: 14 kilometers from Alleppy, this
little island on the backwaters is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare
migratory birds from different parts of the world.
