Alleppey or Alappuzha which is also known as the Venice of the east because of its beautiful water bodies and great culture.
A houseboat cruise in Kerala is a uniquely different experience that must not be missed.
We started off from Pallathuruthi and sailed through Pamba River to the finishing point stadium of the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race or Nehru Trophy Vallamkali as it is called in Kerala.
From there to C Block in Vembanadu Lake and then to the famous St. Mary’s Basilica in Champakulam. St. Mary’s Basilica is one of the ancient churches in Kerala. Believed to be established in the year 427 AD, Champakulam Kalloorkadu Marth Maryam Basilica or Champakulam Valiapalli was rebuilt many times.
From Champakulam Church we continued through the backwaters of Kuttanad and arrived at Chavara Bhavan, the ancestral home of the blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara.
In Chavara Bhavan, a 250-year-old historically important beacon of light is preserved. The place is better accessed by boat.
We stayed in our houseboat overnight and continued our Alleppey Cruise on the next day.