Alappuzha

Alappuzha (

pronunciation (help·info)), also known as Allappey, is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. Alappuzha is the 7th largest city in Kerala with an urban population of 174,164 and third among the districts having highest literacy rate in Kerala. Alappuzha is considered to be the oldest planned city in this region and the lighthouse built on the coast of the city is the first of its kind along the Laccadive Sea coast (reference encyclopaedia of Kerala in Malayalam language).
Alappuzha is situated 62 kilometres (39 mi) to the south of Kochi and 155 kilometres (96 mi) north of Trivandrum A city with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons, it was described as the one of the places known as the "Venice of the East" by Lord Curzon. Hence, it is known as the "Venetian Capital" of Kerala. Malayalam is the most spoken language. Hindi, English and Tamil are also spoken in the city.
Alappuzha is an important tourist destination in India. The Backwaters of Alappuzha are the most popular tourist attraction in Kerala. A houseboat cruise in these backwaters can be booked. It connects Kumarakom and Cochin to the North and Quilon to the South.
Alappuzha is 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 competitive and popular of the boat races in India. The mullackal chirap is also one of the attractions of Allapuzha which is the festive season held for ten days every year in December.

Kuttanad

Kuttanadu is a region covering the Alappuzha and Kottayam Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lowest altitude in India, and is one of the few places in the world where farming is carried around 1.2 to 3.0 metres (4 to 10 ft) below sea level. Kuttanadu is historically important in the ancient history of South India and is the major rice producer in the state. Farmers of Kuttinad famous for Biosaline Farming. FAO has declared the Kuttanad Farming System as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Four of Kerala's major rivers, the Pamba, Meenachil, Achankovil and Manimala flow into the region.It is well know for it boat race in the Ramankari Backwaters.Also known in Malayalam as:(Vallamkalli).

Alappuzha Beach

Referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha has always enjoyed an important place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, it is famous for its boat races, backwater holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby which is greatly fascinating to visitors.
Another delightful experience while in Alappuzha is a houseboat cruise. The ones you find in the backwaters of Alappuzha are in fact reworked version of Kettuvallams of olden times. The original Kettuvallams or rice barges used to carry tons of rice and spices. The Kettuvallam or 'boat with knots' was so called because the entire boat was held together with coir knots only.Of late, houseboats come with all creature comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. And one can always enjoy uninterrupted views of backwater life while staying in a houseboat.

DTPC House boat Pre-paid Counter
For booking houseboats, travelers can make use of the House Boat Pre-paid Counter 'Trusted Service, Trusted Rates' managed by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).

Krishnapuram Palace

The Krishnapuram Palace is a palace and museum located in Kayamkulam near Alappuzha in Alappuzha district, Kerala in southwestern India. It was built in the 18th century by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (1729–1758 AD), the Travancore kingdom. It is built in the architectural style of Kerala with gabled roof, narrow corridor and dormer windows, near the Krishnaswamy Temple at Krishnapuram

The palace is maintained by the Archaeological Department of Kerala and contains exhibits that belonged to the Palace and its former occupant, the Travancore Maharaja Marthanda Varma. It is also famous for a large pond within the palace complex.^[1] It is also said that an underground escape route runs from the bottom of the pond as a possible escape route from enemies.

Pathiramanal

Pathiramanal is a small island in Muhamma panchayat of Alappuzha district. The name 'Pathiramanal' means 'sands of night'. The scenic beauty of both sides of the lake as well as that of the island is mind blowing. It is home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world.

Vayalar

Vayalar is 5 km from south kerala town, Cherthala. Vayalar is bounded on the east by the Vayalar kayal which is a part of the famous Vembanad backwaters. The Vayalar road connecting Vayalar with Cherthala is its life line. Vayalar is connected to NH 47 by another road.
There are 2 lower primary schools and one high school in Vayalar. These are government schools. The high school is named after the Malayalam poet Vayalar Ramavarma who hails from this place. Vayalar North Lower Primary School is a government primary school located on the Ettupurackal road. Many people depend on schools in the Cherthala town and in nearby Pattanakkad for ed

Arthunkal

Arthunkal is a coastal town and a major pilgrim centre in south Indian state of Kerala. It is 43 kilometre south of Cochin city and 21 kilometre north of Alleppey city. It is a fastly developing satellite town of Kochi. Arthunkal lies in Taluk of Cherthala which is in turn a part of the district of Alleppey.

Pilgrimage site
Arthunkal is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Kerala. It is considered as a holy land by hundreds of thousands of devotees, of Christian as well as other faith. The village is synonymous for its church, which has the Roman martyr Saint Sebastian as its patron.^[1] The feast of St. Sebastian in Arthunkal is a grand celebration extending for two weeks in January. While the main day of the traditional feast or the perunnal is on January 20, the church authorities have instituted another on January 27, to mark the end of celebrations, locally referred to as Ettamperunnal or 'the 8th day or the feast'. Devotees from all across the state visit the church on the feast days. A procession, carrying the graceful statue of St. Sebastian, from the church to the beach and back, is the most important event of the feast. Interestingly, an eagle is seen roaming the skies, every year during the time of the procession. This eagle too has become part of the grandmother stories, about the presence of St. Sebastian as a guardian saint for the village.

Pallippuram, Alappuzha

Pallippuram is a village located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Cherthala in the Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. A serene village, it is wedged between Cherthala Municipality and the Thycattussery Panchayat. The settlement is surrounded by water on three sides - in the east and west by Vembanad Lake and in the south by the Chenganda River. A bridge provides access to mainland Cherthala while boats and ferry service to Vaikom are also available.
Pallippuram is noted for its whitish sand (due to the high silica content), which has extensive use in the glass and cement industries. Malabar Cements (a fully owned Government of Kerala undertaking) has a major industrial unit operating out of the Industrial Growth Centre at Pallippuram.
A major landmark in the village is Pallipuram Church, built in the 3rd century AD. Palackal Thoma Malpan was born and lived here, heading a Seminary (1818–1855) for teaching priests, the first such run by the St. Thomas Christians, and the antecedent of St. Joseph's Seminary, Mannanam (1833–1894), with which it later merged

Vembanad

Vembanad (Vembanad Kayal or Vembanad Kol) is the longest lake in India, and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also counted as one of the largest lakes in India. Spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known as Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad, Kochi Lake in Kochi. Several groups of small islands including Vypin, Mulavukad, Vallarpadam, Willingdon Island are located in the Kochi Lake portion. Kochi Port is built around the Willingdon Island, and the Vallarpadam island.
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted in a portion of the lake. High levels of pollution have been noticed at certain hotspots of the Vembanad backwaters. Government of India has identified the Vembanad wetland under National Wetlands Conservation Programme.