Things to See & Do
Alleppey,s allure is the backwaters. Begin with a cruise from the boat jetty then stroll back in to town past the canals covered with mauve hyacinths. while the town's natural beauty is awe-inspiring, look for the heritage structures too : the tales they tell are trully remarakable. Much of the architecture in Alapuzha ,particularly of government offices, is colonial, and it has survived the years and the continuous use very well
Alappuzha has witnessed many a nationalist and social reform moverment and its remnants - such as the Punnapra - Vayalar martyr's column- dot the region. the punnapra - vayalar agitation is considered by some as a landmark revolt landlords , and it is movements such as these have shaped Alappuzha
Alappuzha or Alleppey is also home to Kuttanad, The rice bowl of kerala, one of the very few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Kuttanad is a land of lush paddy fields and stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the hills. Kuttanad is the most beautiful backwaters region of Kerala. It is here that most of the snake boat races are conducted and a majority of the rice boat & houseboat cruises are scheduled. Kerala's network of navigable backwaters stretches to over 900km. These serene waterways are fringed by palm grove and paddy fields and offer a striking spectacle of the rustic life. In Alleppey or Alappuzha, the life revolves around water. Cildren learn to swim before they walk. They learn to row boats before they bicycle. They learn their first lesson from the school of fish. Situated in Kuttanad popularly known as the rice bowl of Kerala, QST & R Block Kayals (backwaters) remind the visitor of the famous dikes of Holland
Alapuzzha's beauty is not merely in its backwaters, but in the man-made Islands that you will find amidst the waters. These highlands are hedged by mud walls, a haven for migratory birds, with paddy fields inundated with water. The R block is famous for fresh toddy served to the guests and crabs, clams and variety of other seafoods. Try taking a dip at the water here because that is the best bet at R Block
A visit to the bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, some from the Himalayas, some even from as far as Siberia. In addition, you can get thrilled of the native kingfishers ablaze in psychedelic colours, experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or lone golden-backed woodpeckers and even delight in the acrobatics of the paradise fly-catchers
The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian cranes. Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons
Alappuzha has witnessed many a nationalist and social reform moverment and its remnants - such as the Punnapra - Vayalar martyr's column- dot the region. the punnapra - vayalar agitation is considered by some as a landmark revolt landlords , and it is movements such as these have shaped Alappuzha
Alleppey Beach
Alappuzha was once the busiest coast south of mumbai, and its canals and backwaters helped in the passage of cargo - be it tea , rubber or other produce from the hills - to the sea. The light house and the pier helped the boats ferry across facilitating trade in their own way. Today the 1,000ft long pier built in 1862 by capt. Hugh Crawford, is a mere skeleton of its past. The bricks hace mostly fallen apart or been washed away by the sea and its risky to walk on it. Yet it exudes an unmistakable colonial air. Entry to the light house is restrictedBackwaters
The most exciting thing on the backwaters of Kerela, however, is the kettuvallom ( traditional houseboat ) which has become the most popular tourism product in India today. In a land as waterbound as Kerala it wouldn't be an unusual sight, but for a visitor to God's Own Country a houseboat gliding along the vast green expanse of the backwaters is the most amazing spectacle in the world. Even more enchanting is a holiday in the houseboats of KerelaAlappuzha or Alleppey is also home to Kuttanad, The rice bowl of kerala, one of the very few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Kuttanad is a land of lush paddy fields and stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the hills. Kuttanad is the most beautiful backwaters region of Kerala. It is here that most of the snake boat races are conducted and a majority of the rice boat & houseboat cruises are scheduled. Kerala's network of navigable backwaters stretches to over 900km. These serene waterways are fringed by palm grove and paddy fields and offer a striking spectacle of the rustic life. In Alleppey or Alappuzha, the life revolves around water. Cildren learn to swim before they walk. They learn to row boats before they bicycle. They learn their first lesson from the school of fish. Situated in Kuttanad popularly known as the rice bowl of Kerala, QST & R Block Kayals (backwaters) remind the visitor of the famous dikes of Holland
Alleppey Beach
Alappuzha was once the busiest coast south of mumbai, and its canals and backwaters helped in the passage of cargo - be it tea , rubber or other produce from the hills - to the sea. The light house and the pier helped the boats ferry across facilitating trade in their own way. Today the 1,000ft long pier built in 1862 by capt. Hugh Crawford, is a mere skeleton of its past. The bricks hace mostly fallen apart or been washed away by the sea and its risky to walk on it. Yet it exudes an unmistakable colonial air. Entry to the light house is restrictedR Block and QST Block
Palm-fringed emerald islets surrounded by vast backwater stretches are the hallmarks of Alappuzha an important backwater destination in God's Own Country. QST & R Block Kayals is a scenic place located in Alappuzha is a striking example of the indigenous agricultural engineering know-how. Here, cultivation and habitation are made possible at four to 10 feet below sea level by reclaiming land from the backwaters and building dikes around it. A leisurely cruise along the canals that surround the backwaters here is a memorable experienceAlapuzzha's beauty is not merely in its backwaters, but in the man-made Islands that you will find amidst the waters. These highlands are hedged by mud walls, a haven for migratory birds, with paddy fields inundated with water. The R block is famous for fresh toddy served to the guests and crabs, clams and variety of other seafoods. Try taking a dip at the water here because that is the best bet at R Block
Mullackal
The temple is located at the heart of Alleppey town. The presiding deity is Goddess Rajarajeswari. The temple celebrates two festivals every year. The nine-day 'Navarathri' festival is specially important. the last two days are most auspicious. Colourful processions participated by nine elephants are held in the evening. It is witnessed by thousands of devotees. Also several cultural programmes including Ottanthullal are staged in the temple.Kuttanad
Kuttanad lies sandwiched between the sea and the hills. Kuttanad is an amazing labyrinth of shimmering waterways composed of lakes, canals, rivers and rivulets. Lined with dense tropical greenery, it offers a glimpse into rural Kerala life-styles. The view changes from narrow canals and dense vegetation to open vistas and dazzling green paddy fields. Homes, farms, churches, mosques and temples can be seen among the trees. And if you are lucky you might catch the blue flash of a kingfisher or the green of a parakeet. Endless tranquility is yours for the taking herePathiramanal
Pathiramanal (sands of midnight), an enchanting island on the lake, can be accessed by boat from here. This 10 acre island on the backwaters is home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world. According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water madeway for the land to rise from below. The island can be accessed only by boat. A cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuaryKumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the bird sanctuary is spread across 14 acres. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and tealA visit to the bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, some from the Himalayas, some even from as far as Siberia. In addition, you can get thrilled of the native kingfishers ablaze in psychedelic colours, experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or lone golden-backed woodpeckers and even delight in the acrobatics of the paradise fly-catchers
The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian cranes. Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons
