Alappuzha, the heartland of boat races: What the 'Venice of the East' offers tourists
Numerous Malayalam films have captured the pristine beauty of this wonderful place with great dexterity.
Numerous Malayalam films have captured the pristine beauty of this wonderful place with great dexterity.
Numerous Malayalam films have captured the pristine beauty of this wonderful place with great dexterity.
Alappuzha, the smallest district in Kerala, is a paradisiacal place with the mesmerising beauty of nature, placid lagoons, rippling streams, sugar-sand beaches, and winding rivers. It boasts expansive green paddy fields of Kuttanad, known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala’, and easy-on-the-eye coconut groves. Alappuzha, with its labyrinth of waterways, has earned the sobriquet ‘Venice of the East’ and hosts the world-famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race. Innumerous Malayalam films have captured the pristine beauty of this wonderful place with great dexterity. Who doesn’t long to take a houseboat ride in the calm backwaters with lush greenery hugging the shorelines and enjoy the gastronomic delights of dishes made of freshwater fish? Let’s take a quick lowdown on places of interest in Alappuzha.
Without an iota of doubt, travellers would fall in love with Alappuzha’s charming beaches. There are many spick and span beaches in Alappuzha where people could spend their evenings by soaking in the whooshing sound of the waves and the soft rustle of the sea breeze.
• Alappuzha beach
Alappuzha beach is very famous among tourists, and the two centrepieces of the seashore are the 137-year-old sea bridge and the lighthouse. The visitors can also get a hang of nightlife at the beach. Many facilities, including food park and children’s park, could be found amidst she-oak trees (kattadi) on the southern side of the beach. The beach, which is in Alappuzha town, is a favourite hunting ground for travellers who visit the district. While coming from Thakazhi, enter the national highway from Ambalapuzha junction and drive towards Ernakulam. Take left turn from Alappuzha General Hospital and travel for 3km to reach the beach. You can also reach the beach through the underpass road of the Alappuzha bypass.
• Marari beach
Do you want to spend your evening in tranquility? If so, the less-crowded Marari beach is the best option for you. You can get a ringside view of the daily work routine of the fisher folk while visiting the beach, which is not far away from the city. A leisurely walk on the wet and cool beach sand is nothing but pure bliss. Marari beach is also an ideal destination for a session or two of yoga or meditation. One could also indulge in swimming, sun bathing and Ayurveda massaging. You can reach Marari beach after travelling 3km from Kalithattu junction on the Alappuzha-Ernakulam national highway.
• Thottappally beach
Thottappally beach is another quiet beach in Alappuzha district. It is noteworthy that this beach found mention in the popular Malayalam novel ‘Chemmeen’ written by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai. The beach, which is 7km from Ambalapuzha bus stand, is the best place to take a relaxed evening stroll or sit on the fluffy white sands and gaze at the stars. The sunset view from the beach can take your breath away. Thottappally beach is the spot where water from the Vembanad lake and Pampa and Achankovil rivers flow into the Arabian Sea after passing through the Thottappally spillway and sandbars.
• Andhakaranazhi beach
Andhakaranazhi beach, which is 30km away from Alappuzha, is known as ‘The Lagoon of Darkness’. The beach, which is in Alappuzha’s Pattanakad panchayat, is awesome as it’s the confluence of sea and lake. What make the shoreline stand out are the quietude and the nature’s riveting charm, and another highlight is the more than 30-year-old ‘vilakku madom’. Many Malayalam films had been canned at the beach, which is known for calm waves and scintillating sunset views.
• Punnapra beach
A 5km drive from Alappuzha city will take you to Punnapra beach, which oozes with serenity. The seashore is far away from the madding crowd and you can take a stroll by enjoying the nature’s picturesque vistas. It’s a perfect getaway to spend some quality time with your friends and family members. Golden sands, crystal clear water and awe-inspiring sunset make Punnapra beach a must-see destination for beach lovers and others.
And now, what about a peep into the sublime lakes of Alappuzha?
• Alappuzha lake
Alappuzha is replete with many lakes, and Alappuzha lake is one of the enchanting water bodies in the district. Multiple scores of tourists come to the lake to unwind and be with nature. It’s an absolutely surreal experience to go on a houseboat ride on the serene lake.
• Punnamada lake
Punnamada lake is a household name as the water body had been aesthetically described in many popular songs of Malayalam flicks. It would be great miss if you don’t visit the lake while stepping into Alappuzha. The vast lake is where rowers vie for honors during the prestigious Nehru Trophy Boat Race. The race attracts tourists, including foreign backpackers, from far and wide, and is one of the main attractions of the district. Festivities are galore during Onam and people come in droves to be part of the merriment. The lake, which houses islands such as Pathiramanal, Perumbalam and Pallipuram, is spread from south Alappuzha to north Azhikode. A boat ride would help tourists to savour the raw beauty of nature. The lake is just 2.9km away from Alappuzha bus stand.
• Q S T and R Block lake
Alappuzha is synonym for backwaters and Q S T and R Block lake, which is located in Kainakari, is one the stunning lakes in the district.
• Thanneermukkom lake
Most people might be aware of the Thanneermukkom bund, which is considered as the largest mud regulator in the country. The bund is constructed across Vembanad lake, which is the largest lake in Kerala, and cuts it into two. It was built to prevent salt water from entering the paddy fields of Kuttanad. Many travellers come to Thannermukkom to go on a boat ride in the evening. Private boats, both speed boats and normal boats, will take you around the lake. This pleasing destination is 8km and 24km from Cherthala and Alappuzha respectively.
• Kuttanad lake
As everyone is aware, Kuttanad is the ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala’. This heavenly place with swaying green paddy fields that stretch to the horizon will definitely keep boredom at bay. Like many marvelous spots in Alappuzha district, Kuttanad too has found screen space in many films. A boat ride is a must while visiting Kuttanad. Besides lakes and beaches, Alappuzha is dotted with many interesting destinations that are worth visiting.
• Alappuzha lighthouse
The lighthouse is a spot where you can enjoy the sea breeze and catch up with old friends. The structure, which was built in 1862, is the oldest lighthouse in south western part of India. The distance between Alappuzha railway station and lighthouse is 1.5km.
• Kainakary village
Kainakary is a hamlet that beckons travellers time and again with its rustic charm. The village, located in Kuttanad, is embraced by rivers, lakes and streams on all four sides. The lush green paddy fields are a soothing sight. And the striking point is that the paddy fields are situated below sea level. As vehicles are few and far between in the area, a state of stillness always hangs in the air. People move around in boats. You have to travel 7.5km and 11.6km from Alappuzha bus stand and Alappuzha railway station respectively to reach this idyllic village.
• Thanneermukkom bund
Thanneermukkom bund divides Vembanad lake into two and connects Alappuzha and Kottayam districts. The bund is a boon for farmers as it prevents saline water from entering their farming land. There is also a village by the name of Thanneermukkom, which is a treat for the eyes, in Alappuzha district. The main occupations of the villagers are fishing and agriculture. Thanneermukkom should be on the itinerary of every tourist visiting Alappuzha.
• Pandavan para, Chengannur
Pandavan para, which is dotted with rocks of all sizes and shapes, is one of the main tourist centers of Alappuzha. It’s believed that Pandavan para was the hideout of Pandavas while they were in exile. Beyond the mythological significance, the place is also known for its natural beauty. A temple perched on the hills draws many devotees. Pandavan para is nearly 3km from Chenagnnur bus stand and railway station.
• Karumadikuttan Buddha statue
A black granite Buddha statue, which is believed to have been built between 9th and 14th century AD, stands tall at Karumadi in Alappuzha district. In a bid to preserve the age-old statue, Sir John Bristow, a British engineer, constructed a shrine in 1930. Karumadikutttan is the only Buddhist pilgrimage center in Kerala and is 5km from Ambalapuzha bus stand.
• Pathiramanal island
Pathiramanal island is a lush green patch of land surrounded by emerald-green backwater in Alappuzha’s Muhamma panchayat. The island is riddled with mangroves and wild plants, and home to many species of birds. A 90-minute travel from Muhamma boat jetty is all you need to reach this green top on backwaters. The island spread across 10 acres is an ideal destination for tourists and nature lovers. You can reach the island only by boat.
• Kakkathuruthu
Kakkathuruthu island shot to fame after National Geographic magazine listed it in ‘Around the World in 24 Hours’, a photo journey through travel-worthy tourist centers in the world. The tiny isle, which is 3km long and one km wide, in Kaithapuzha lake is located in 9th ward of Ezhupunna panchayat in Aroor. You will arrive at the island after a 5-minute boat ride from Eramalloor. The island got its name Kakkathuruthu (Kakka means crow) as it was once home to thousands of crows. The nearest railway station is Ezhupuuna, which is 4km away. Alappuzha is also known for a plethora of museums that mirror the heritage of a bygone era.
• Thakazhi museum and Smriti Mandapam
Thakazhi, a place in Alappuzha, is synonymous with highly-acclaimed Malayalam writer Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai. To honour the literary giant, Thakazhi has a museum and smriti mandapam. The museum houses memorabilia, paintings and manuscripts that reflect the life and works of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai. Book launches, literary meetings and musical programmes are held at the Smriti Mandapam hall. The museum is about 6.2km from Ambalapuzha railway station.
• Kumaranasan memorial
‘Mahakavi’ Kumaranasan has made huge contributions to art and literature in Kerala. The Kumaranasan memorial at Pallana in Kumarakom is a cultural hub that hosts different programmes in the fields of literature, art and poetry. Besides the statue of the great poet, the memorial is built in the shape of a boat, which reminds of his death in a boat accident in the Pallana River. The distance from the Alappuzha railway station and Alappuzha bus stand to the memorial is 24.2km and 25.6km respectively.
• Kunchan Nambiar memorial
The Kunchan Nambiar memorial is in Ambalapuzha near the Sree Krishna Swamy temple. The mandapam is constructed right at the place where he lived and dedicated his life to the ‘thullal’ art form. Many people visit the memorial, which is just 1km from Ambalapuzha bus stand.
• Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum
The Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum is the largest privately-owned museum in Kerala. The facility was established as a tribute to coir industrialist Revi Karunakaran by his wife Betty Karun. The museum has a huge collection of sculptures, mural, artefacts and other art exhibits collected by Revi’s father K C Karunakaran, who was also a coir trader, mother Margaret, who was a German, from other countries. Later, the art collection became exhaustive with the concerted efforts of Revi and his wife. The museum, which is 2.1km from Alappuzha, also boasts of priceless elephant tusks and crystal collections.
• International Coir Museum
Alappuzha is the coir hub of Kerala and the International Coir Museum is situated in Kalavoor. The visitors can get a first-hand experience of the traditional practices in coir industry and the evolution of machinery used in this sector. The museum showcases how husk is extracted, how coir mats are made, various defibering equipment and retting methods. Moreover, a 33-minute short film on coir is also screened for the visitors.
What about a spiritual journey? Here’s the list of main places of worship in the district.
• Champakulam Church
Champakulam church, which is a Syrian catholic church, is one of the oldest churches in India. The interior of the church, which is situated in Champakulam, is adorned with carvings and murals depicting Biblical stories and lives of saints. The St. Mary’s Basilica comes under the Archdiocese of Changanacherry and is considered as the mother of all catholic churches in Kerala. A 10.4km drive from Ambalapuzha railway station will take you to this aged-old church.
• Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple
Chettikulangara bhagavathy temple is a prominent temple in Kerala and is located near Mavelikara in Alappuzha district. The main deity is Bhadrakali and the chief offering is ‘Chanthattam’ that involves offering sap from teakwood in nine pots to the goddess. Chettikulangara bharani is a popular festival of the temple. Travel for 6km on the Mavelikara road from Kayamkulam on the Kollam-Alappuzha national highway to reach the temple.
• Chavara Bhavan
You can reach Chavara Bhavan in Kainakary only by boat. Kainakary is the birthplace of saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara.
• Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja temple in Hairpad is a main temple in Kerala with a female chief priest known as ‘Mannarasala Amma’. The ‘Ayilyam’ festival is conducted in the Malayalam month of ‘Thulam’ (September-October) every year at the temple. The distance between Haripad railway station and the temple is 3km.
• Edathua Church
The close to 200-year-old church is situated at Edathua in Kuttanad and is dedicated to St. George also known as Geevarghese Sahada. The idol of St. George has the stamp of Persian architecture and evokes absolute veneration and adoration. The church houses golden and silver crosses that were made in 1888 and a collection of 30 books in Syriac. The church is 12.1km from Haripad railway station and 1.4km from Edathua bus stand.
• Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Ambalapuzha
Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is the most famous temple in Alappuzha district and is one of the seven Maha Vaishnava temples in Kerala. Ambalapuzha ‘palpayasam’ (a sweet pudding) is a popular offering of the temple. The art form of ‘Ottam Thullal’ was first performed at the temple. The distance between the temple and Ambalapuzha railway station is 1.1km.
The other places of worship in the district include Poomkavu Church, Arthunkal Church, Pulinkunnu Church, Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple, Chakkulathukavu Sree Bhagavathy Temple, Neelamperoor Pallibhagavathy Temple, Saukar Masjid and Kidangamparambu Sree Bhuvaneswari Temple. The getaway list of Alappuzha district doesn’t end here as there are more in store.
• Vanchi Veedu (boat house)
The boat houses are witnessing heavy rush as the vacation is on. Besides foreigners, many Keralites are choosing boat houses for a fun ride with family and friends. The State Water Transport Department is also conducting a ‘See Kuttanad’ boat cruise for tourists.
A park on the shores of the Pampa River near the Chengannur-Pandanad-Parumala road has spiral slide, double swing, merry-go-round, seesaw, rainbow ladder and wall climber to keep your children in good spirits.