ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT

ALAPPUZHA TOWN – ‘Venice of the East’ – situated on the banks of a

network of canals, lakes and lagoons. Hub of houseboat operations and

backwater cruises: from Alappuzha to Kollam, Kottayam & Kochi. Famous

for Nehru Trophy Boat Race (Aug) and Tourism Snake Boat Race (Jan).

Alappuzha Beach – Long sandy beach. First light house on the west coast, built in 1862.

Pier extending into the sea is about 140 years old. Vijaya Beach Park – picnic spot with

children’s park & boating facilities. Sea View Park has boating facilities & swimming pool.

Mullackal Rajarajeshwari Temple – “Navarathri” festival is celebrated with procession of

nine elephants. Cultural programmes including Ottan thullal are staged.

Latin Catholic Church – One of the oldest churches.

Kottamkulangara Mahavishnu & Devi Temples – Two temples in same compound.

Mahavishnu temple was earlier situated in a pond, which is now covered with sand.

Marari Beach (15 km north)– Known for Marari Beach Resort

Chavara Bhavan (6 km from Alappuzha) – Ancestral home of the blessed Kuriakose Elias

Chavara. Accessible only by boat. 250-year old beacon of light is preserved here.

Punnapra (near Alappuzha) – Memorial to Punnapra – Vayalar uprising (1946) - bitter

struggle between communists & Travancore State Police.

St. Mary’s Church at Champakulam – Believed to be one of the seven established by

St.Thomas, the apostle. Annual feast in October.

PATHIRAMANAL (14 km) – 10 acre picturesque island on Vembanad lake accessible only

by boat (from Kumarakom & Muhamma). Covered with greenery & visited by rare migratory

birds. Name means ‘Sands of midnight’. International backwater resort is to be developed

here by Oberoi Group.

Kuttanad region / Q,S,T and R Block Kayals (canals) – ‘Rice bowl of Kerala’ in the heart

of the backwaters between Alappuzha & Changanassery. Farming is done 1 to 2 m below

seal level on land reclaimed from backwaters & protected by dykes. This amazing feature

can be observed through leisurely cruise along the inland water ways.

Arthunkal (22 km north, near Cherthala) – St. Andrew’s Ferona Church established by

Portuguese missionaries in 1851. ‘Arthunkal Perunnal’ –St. Sebastian feast is held in Jan.

Kokkomangalam Church (near Cherthala) – Established by St. Thomas.

Ambalappuzha (14 km south) – Has Sree Krishna Temple, built in typical Kerala style.

Temple has paintings of Dasavatharam on inner walls of Chuttambalam. Famous for

Palpayasam – milk porridge offered to the deity. Annual festival in March/April. 16th century

poet Kunjan Nambiar staged his first Ottan Thullal, a satiric solo dance performance here.

Karumadi (3 km east of Ambalappuzha) – Famous for its Karumadi Kuttan, a black

granite figure of Buddha said to belong to the 9th - 11th century.

KRISHNAPURAM PALACE near Karthikapally (47 km) – This 18th century palace was

built during the reign of Marthanda Varma of Travancore. Double storied structure of typical

Kerala architecture – gabled roof, dormer windows, narrow corridors. Famous for one of

Kerala’s largest mural paintings (14 ft x11 ft) depicting Gajendramoksham. Also has

museum of sculptures, paintings & bronzes. Protected by State Archeology Department.

St. George Church at Edathua (24 km) - Established in 1810; located on the banks of

Manimala river. Believed to heal mental disorders and other ailments.

Mannarsala Sree Nagaraja Temple, near Haripad (32 km) – Ancient temple of serpent

god Nagaraja & consorts – Sarpa Yakshi & Naga Yakshi, in a panoramic 16-acre wooded

site. Presided over by a priestess. Popular with women seeking to have a child.

Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple near Mavelikkara (5 km east of Kayamkulam) –

Temple of Bhadrakali, supposed to possess miraculous powers. Famous for Kettukazhcha

festival (February/March) – procession of tall decorated chariots, with brightly adorned

images of horses, bullocks and epic heroes; cultural performance