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Alleppey |
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Alleppey General Information
Area: 1526 square kms.
Population: 1990603 square kms.
Altitude: Sea level
Climate - Tropical
Clothing
- Light cotton
Tourist season
- September to May
Information about Alleppey
Alappuzha or Alleppey, also known as the Venice of the
East is the famous tourist destination in Kerala. This
place symbolizes the confluence of all the natural
graces and beauty. Alleppey is surrounded by the
Arabian sea in the west and a vast network of |
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lakes, lagoons
and fresh water rivers crisscross it. Alleppey is a place of
immense natural beauty and a home of diverse animal and bird
life. Due to its proximity to the sea, the town has always
enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.
Today, Alleppey has grown as an important backwater
destination, which attracts thousands of foreign tourists each
year. Alleppey was built in 1752 as a trading centre. The
traders from across the seven seas came here in search of
black gold and souveneirs. The abundant growth of coconut
palms reclaimed from backwaters has contributed to a thriving
coir industry with high quality export oriented products.
Alleppey is famous for its unending coconut groves, sea,
limitless backwaters, boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches,
marine products and coir industry. The life of the people in
Alleppey revolves around water. Children learn to swim before
they walk. They learn to row boats before they bicycle. |
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Geography of
Alleppey
Alleppey covers an area of 1526 square km and is flanked by
2195 square km Vemband backwater, where one can witness the
magnificent union of six major rivers which spread out
extensively before joining the 80 km coast line of the
district. The town of Alleppey is crisscrossed by a system of
canals, which is a part of the National Waterway 3. The
richness of the coastal |
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waters is expressed annually in the
blooming and consequent deposit of a huge quantity of fishes
and prawns on the Alleppey coast called ‘Chakara’. This annual
shifting sandbank appears during the post-monsoon period and
contributes to the local economy and is a festive season for
the people of Kerala. The annual floods rejuvenate and cleanse
the soil and water due to which there is abundance of marine
life like prawns, lobsters, fishes, turtles, mangroves and
other flora in the sea. The backwaters and wetlands host
thousands of migrant teals, ducks and cormorants every year
who reach here from long distances. One of the major feature
of this land is the region called Kuttanad, the granary of
Kerala. Kuttanad is also known as the rice bowl of Kerala and
is one of the few places in the world where farming is done
below sea level. The paddy fields lie about 0.6 to 2 m below
mean sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land level
is also an amazing feature of this unique land. |
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Tourist Attractions in Alleppey |
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The main tourist attraction in Alleppey is the Alleppey Beach,
Krishnapuram palace and Pathiramanal. Alleppey Beach is one of
the most popular picnic spots in Alleppey. The pier, which
extends into the sea here, is about 140 years old. The
Krishnapuram palace museum is known for its collection of
antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes. The 18th
century |
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mural Gajendramoksham is the largest mural in Kerala.
Pathiramanal, the little island on the backwaters is a
favourite place of hundreds of rare migratory birds from
different parts of the world. The island lies between
Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat.
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Festivals in Alleppey
Some of the festivals which are celebrated in Alleppey are
Mannarasala Serpent Temple, Harippad (October/November),
Chirappu Mahotsavam, Mullackal Temple (December),
Kidangamparampu Temple (December), Chandanakudam, Kakkazhom
Juma Masjid.
Boat Races in Alleppey
During the harvest season i.e between July and September
various boat races are held in Alleppey. The most famous boat
race is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race that is held in the month
of August. Some other famous boat races held in Alleppey are
Alleppey Tourism Boat Race (9th January), Pulinkunnu Rajiv
Gandhi Boat Race (last Saturday of August), Champakulam Moolam
Boat Race (Moolam day of Midhunam – July).
How to reach Alleppey
By Air:
The nearest airport is located at Kochi which is about 64 km
and at Trivandrum which is about 59 km.
By Rail:
Alleppey is well connected with Kochi, Chennai, Bakaro,
Guruvayoor and Thiruvananthapuram.
By Road:
An excellent road network links the district to all major
towns and cities in India.
By Sea:
Kottayam, Changanasseri, Kollam and Kumarakom can be reached
very easily by special boat from Alleppey. |
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