About Alappuzha / Alleppey
Alleppey is known as the venice of the east. Alleppey is blessed with lakes canals and sea, making it a water paradise for tourists, who prefer to spend their holidays in Alleppey or Alappuzha. Alleppey’s history dates back to the early Middle Ages when it was an important port city. Alleppey has 485 canals, more than any other city in the world. Alleppey is called the backwaters of Kerala. Allepee lies on one of the largest estuaries in southern India. Alappuzha district was formed on 1st November 1957
A Brief History
A Brief History
The district was formed in the year 1957. But the place was already in the map due to its trading history with cities like Greece and Portugal. The Portuguese started preaching Catholicism and converted many of the natives before the Dutch influence started increasing in the 17th century.
please refer to Ancient alappuzha to know more about the history of Alappuzha
Geography of Alappuzha
Alleppey is hands down best known for its backwaters, rivers, canals and lagoons. The district stretches some 546 square meters.
One of the most beloved attractions of Alleppey is Vembanadu lake which has an area of 847 square meters. Alleppey is the most beautiful during the season of rice cultivation.
The west side of the district is the coastal area where the Laccadive sea is situated.
Climate
Alleppey is hot and humid during summer while it is rather cooler in the months of November and December.
Like any other districts in Kerala, Alleppey has two monsoons running between June and September and then October and then between October and November.
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Major Attractionsof Alappuzha
Alleppey is indubitably best known for its water bodies, especially the back waters situated in the heart of the district. The back waters are always busy with tourists cruising in house boats large and small floating on the calm water. It is considered as one of the perfect vacations with nature.
The traditional dance of Kerala, “Kathakali”, an art form that is deeply rooted in the highest forms of acting and art works is another main attraction of the venice of east. Alleppey is also the center of coir (strings made from coconut husk) manufacturing. Some of the other main attractions are
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Major Attractions of Alappuzha
The Alappuzha District is blessed with a network of rivers, Canals, and Backwaters
The list of few of the Major attractions are listed below
Alappuzha Beach
Marari Beach
Kayamkulam Lake
Vembanad Lake
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
Edathua Church
St. Andrew’s Basilica Arthunkal
Revi Karunakaran Museum
Alappuzha Light House
Shopping in Alappuzha
Kerala, the land of spices has always been known for its exclusive spices and herbs. Although alleppey is not a shopping center in Kerala, there are some things that you don’t want to miss.
Coir and carpet (made with coir) manufacturing are exclusive attractions of the city.
The city is flooded with shops that sell these organic products you want to decorate your home with. Also there are shops for those who seek aromatic spices that are only found in Kerala.
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Festivals in Alappuzha
Chettikulangara Bharani that takes place in the chettikulangara Bhagavathi temple, Annual Ambalappuzha temple festival celebrated in the months of March and April, Chakkulathukavu pongala, Chengannur Arattu, Mannarassala Ayilyam and Mullakkal chirappu are some of the significant festivals associated with the Hindu religion.
Since the Catholic community is large in number, there are several catholic festivals that are celebrated by all.
The annual feasts of Arthunkal Basilica, Edathuva and Thumpoly Church are some festivals the natives never miss.
A non-religious communal experience where the whole of Kerala celebrates is “Nehru Trophy Boat Race” held in the Punnamada lake. It is one of those games in which even a blink of an eye would cost you a magical brtath taking moment.
Food in Alappuzha
The delicious sea food that consists of prawns, squids, shrimps, crabs, and innumerous amount of other marine fish and fresh water fish are the exquisite dishes you want to try out.
Alleppey fish curry, varutharacha Kozhi curry (Chicken), with steamed Tapioca and Kerala beef fry are some other traditional spicy dishes. For the vegetarians,
Alleppey has to offer snacks like hot banana chips, kurukku kalan, several types of thoran, bonda, vada, various types of dosa, appam, idly, puttu and several other dishes that make you crave for more.
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How to reach Alappuzha?
The city Is accessible through means of water, rail, road and air. There are trains available from almost all the major cities to Alleppey and the nearest airport from the cirty is located in Cochin which is 78 Kms away.
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District Profile at a Glance
1414
Area in Sq. KM
93
Villages
72
Panchayats
12
Blocks
9
Assembly Constituencies
6
Taluks
6
Muncipalities
2
Parliament Constituencies
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Population as per 2011 Census
2121943
city
1010252
Male
1111691
Female
1492
Density / Sq.km
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Religion
70
Hindu /%
20.94
Christian /%
10
Muslim
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Literacy Rate
96
Total in %
895476
Male
968082
Female
About Alleppey
Location & Boundary
Location
Alappuzha is the smallest district of Kerala having :
North Latitudes – 9o 05′ and 9o 54′
East Longitudes – 76o 17′ 30″ and 76o 40′.
Boundaries of Alleppey
North – Kochi and Kanayannur Taluks of Ernakulam district
East – Vaikom, Kottayam and Changanassery Taluks of Kottayam district and Thiruvalla, Kozhencherry and Adoor taluks of Pathanamthitta District
South – Kunnathur and Karunagappally of Kollam District
West – Lakshadweep ( Arabian ) sea
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Rivers, Lakes & Canals
The Alappuzha District is blessed with a network of rivers, Canals, and Backwaters
The Major rivers and lakes are listed below
Manimala River
Pamba
River
Achankovil River
Vembanad Lake
