Alapuzha - Venice of the East

Tripoto
5th Aug 2015
Photo of Alapuzha - Venice of the East 1/9 by Aishwarya Venugopal
The endless estuaries
Photo of Alapuzha - Venice of the East 2/9 by Aishwarya Venugopal
paradise - less known
Photo of Alapuzha - Venice of the East 3/9 by Aishwarya Venugopal
cruising down the backwaters - snake boat rac
Photo of Alapuzha - Venice of the East 4/9 by Aishwarya Venugopal
Feel the God in his own land
Photo of Alapuzha - Venice of the East 5/9 by Aishwarya Venugopal
Ambalapuzha Srikrishna swami temple
Photo of Alapuzha - Venice of the East 6/9 by Aishwarya Venugopal
Your Majesty
Photo of Alapuzha - Venice of the East 7/9 by Aishwarya Venugopal
Through the edakkal caves
Photo of Alapuzha - Venice of the East 8/9 by Aishwarya Venugopal
Krishnapuram palace
Photo of Alapuzha - Venice of the East 9/9 by Aishwarya Venugopal
St. Mary's forane church

Alapuzha is a small district in the god's own country - Kerala abundantly gifted with beaches, lakes, lagoons and canals. Alapuzha fondly known as the ' Venice of the East'for it's large network of canals. The canals are fringed with a green boundary of tall coconut palms. Known for its backwaters it has a wide range of lip-smacking traditional fish recipes. Get hold of the traditional kerala cuisine like Tapioca and fish Curry, karimeen ( fish ) fried and the authentic sadya which is bound to take away all that tastes you have had till date. Plan your trip so that you can experience the enthralling Nehru Trophy Boat race on the second Saturday of August that takes place every year. So dear folks! !What are you waiting for? Try to get there, the Venice of the East ' at south of India waiting for you.

Kettuvalloms or Houseboats (Riceboats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. With the advent of roads, bridges and ferry services, gradually the Kettuvalloms went off the scene. Now these kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist attraction. A ride on a Kettuvallom is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.

Photo of Experience in house boat by Aishwarya Venugopal
Photo of Experience in house boat by Aishwarya Venugopal
Photo of Experience in house boat by Aishwarya Venugopal

Nehru Trophy Boat Race The annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race takes place on the backwaters of Punnamada in Alappuzha of Kerala. The race is a rowing competition, which takes place between numerous teams who participate in this event to contend for the Nehru Trophy. The history behind the event is that, a snake boat race was conducted when Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru visited this place. He was so impressed by the enthusiasm of the rowers that he awarded the Nehru Trophy to the winners. Since then the Nehru Trophy bears a silver model of a snake boat and is awarded to the winning team of the boat race.

Photo of Punnamada Backwater Resort, Resort Road, Punnamada, Kottankulangara, Alappuzha, Kerala, India by Aishwarya Venugopal
Photo of Punnamada Backwater Resort, Resort Road, Punnamada, Kottankulangara, Alappuzha, Kerala, India by Aishwarya Venugopal
Photo of Punnamada Backwater Resort, Resort Road, Punnamada, Kottankulangara, Alappuzha, Kerala, India by Aishwarya Venugopal
Photo of Punnamada Backwater Resort, Resort Road, Punnamada, Kottankulangara, Alappuzha, Kerala, India by Aishwarya Venugopal

The Krishnapuram Palace is a rare specimen of the Kerala style of architecture, complete with gabled roofs, narrow corridors and dormer windows. Residence of the rulers of Kayamkulam Kingdom, the age of the palace is unknown. Renovated some time in the 18th century, the palace is today a protected monument under the Archaeology Department. Recently it has been again renovated according to the scientific techniques prescribed for the protection of heritage buildings. Today the palace is an archaeological museum, and the most fascinating exhibit here is the 49 sq.m - Gajendra Moksham - the largest single band of mural painting so far discovered in Kerala.

Photo of Krishnapuram Palace, Kerala, India by Aishwarya Venugopal
Photo of Krishnapuram Palace, Kerala, India by Aishwarya Venugopal
Photo of Krishnapuram Palace, Kerala, India by Aishwarya Venugopal
Photo of Krishnapuram Palace, Kerala, India by Aishwarya Venugopal

What kind of people were our ancestors? What kind of lives did they lead? Often, the paths leading to the answers to these questions are as fascinating as the answers themselves. If you would like to walk a little way along one such wonderful path of discovery, one good place to visit would be the Edakkal caves in the Ambukuthi Hills in North Kerala, considered to be one of the earliest centres of human habitation. Inside the cave you will find ancient stone scripts, pictorial wall inscriptions of human and animal figures with peculiar headdresses, the swastik form, symbols and cave drawings of human figures, wheels, bows, knives, trees and so on. Getting there: Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 97 km from Sultan Bathery Nearest airport: Calicut International Airport about 23 km from Kozhikode

Photo of Edakkal Caves, Nenmeni, Kerala, India by Aishwarya Venugopal

Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple is a famous Hindu Lord Krishna temple situated 14 km south of Alappuzha in Kerala, India. Ambalapuzha Temple was built by the erstwhile ruler of Chembakasserry Sree Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan Thampuran during 15th – 17th AD. It is believed that the idol of Sree Krishna of Guruvayoor Temple was brought here for safekeeping during the raids of Tipu Sultan in 1789. The temple is also famous for its unique prasadam, the delicious Ambalapuzha Palpayasam – a sweet porridge madThe temple is associated with the birth of famous performing art form of Kerala – Ottamthullal. It is believed that legendary Malayalam poet Kalakkaththu Kunchan Nambiar gave birth to this unique art form in the Ambalappuzha Temple premises. The Mizhavu (a big copper drum used as a percussion instrument in performing arts) used by Kunjan Nambiar is still preserved in an enclosure in the temple.e of rice, milk, and sugar. Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple is often refereed as Dwaraka of South. How to reach Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple Ambalapuzha Temple is situated around located 14 km from Alappuzha (Alleppey) . Frequent buses are available on the Alappuzha - Ambalapuzha route. Ambalapuzha is about 60 km from Ernakulam and 120 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. Railway Station Alappuzha Railway Station is the nearest railway station to reach Ambalapuzha. Airport Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport, 64 km away.

Photo of Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Ambalapuzha, Kerala, India by Aishwarya Venugopal
Photo of Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Ambalapuzha, Kerala, India by Aishwarya Venugopal
Photo of Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Ambalapuzha, Kerala, India by Aishwarya Venugopal