The city of Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey, is famous worldwide for its its backwaters and located in Alappuzha district of Kerala. Located 70 km south of Cochin, it is also known as the Venice of the East. The name Alappuzha means “the land between the sea and network of rivers flowing into it”. It is a fitting name: there are a significant number of canals, backwaters, beaches and lagoons in and around the city.
Alappuzha is a Land Mark between the broad Arabian sea and a network of rivers flowing into it. In the early first decade of the 20th Century the then Viceroy of the Indian Empire, Lord Curzon made a visit in the State to Alleppey, now Alappuzha. Fascinated by the Scenic beauty of the place, in joy and amazement, he exclaimed, “Alleppey, the Venice of the East”.
Alappuzha has a wonderful past that owes its modern existence to the efforts of Diwan Raja Kesavadas in the second half of the 18th century. Diwan Raja Kasavadas was instrumental in making Alappuzha a major port city in his time and for developing the system of inland canals, used for transportation and navigation, that is seen today.
Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala with the unending stretch of paddy fields, small streams and canals with lush green coconut palms , was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age. History says Alappuzha had trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome in B.C and in the Middle Ages.
Alappuzha, and Kerala in general, has excellent weather due to its proximity to the ocean. The temperature rarely goes above 35 °C and never below 20 °C. The best time to visit is from September to March. The monsoon, from June to August, always brings heavy wind and rains. This is an excellent time to visit if you want to partake in a bit of monsoon tourism.
It is an important tourist destination in India. The Backwaters of Alappuzha is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kerala which attracts millions of domestic and international tourists to the district and employs vast number of locals in the private sector. It connects Kumarakom and Cochin to the North and Kollam to the South.
It is also the access point for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held on the Punnamada Lake, near Alappuzha, on the second Saturday of August every year. This is the most popular and competitive boat races in India.
Top 10 Tourist attractions to see in Alappuzha
- Backwaters
- Kerala Houseboats
- Alappuzha Beach
- Marari Beach
- Revi Karunakaran Museum
- Coir Museum
- Krishnapuram Palace
- Alappuzha Lighthouse
- Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Ambalapuzha
- Pathiramanal Island