ALAPPUZHA

GENERAL INFORMATION

District Area	1414 sq.km
District Population	1,990,603
Climate	Tropical Humid
Altitude	Sea Level
Temperature	Mean Max. 35 deg. C Mean Min. 22 deg. C
Rainfall	229 cm. (Annual)
Clothing	Cotton
Tourist Season	August to March

Alleppey, one of the best-known ports along the coast of Malabar and built on the banks of a network of canals, is referred to as the Venice of the East . It is a fabled trade centre of antiquity.
The beach here is not as big as the others. However, north of Alleppey, the Arthunkal beach is worthy of development as an international holiday resort. Watching rural life at close quarters - the many activities like toddy tapping, fishing, coir-making, prawn farming, and scores of other sights by a boat trip in a country craft, up and down the narrow canals in the coastal region, is gaining in popularity among the foreign tourists and the North Indian visitors alike.

HOW TO GET THERE :

Air	The nearest airport is at Cochin.
Rail	Alleppey Railway Station. Connected by rail with Cochin.
Road	Alleppey is connected by road with several tourist centres and cities in India.
Water	Alleppey is connected by water transport with Cochin (5.30 hrs.), Quilon (8 hrs.), Kottayam (2.30 hrs.) and Changanacherry (3 hrs.)

PLACES OF INTEREST :

Krishnapuram Palace

The 18th century Krishnapuram Palace was built during the reign of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Varma. It is a double storied structure, which displays typical characteristics of Kerala architecture - gabled roofs, dormer windows and narrow corridors.

Pathiramanal

In the Vembanad lake there is a small beautiful Island known as 'Pathiramanal', which could be reached only by boat. On  Sundays there is a boat from Kumarakom and Muhamma to this place.

Maramon

Kozhencherry is the venue of the great Christian religious convention called 'Maramon Convention'. It is held on the vast sands of the river Pamba. Christians from all over India participate in this convention. 'Maramon Convention' is said to be the biggest religious gathering of Christians in Asia.

Mannarasala

This is situated near Haripad, 32 kms. away from Alleppey. The temple is one of the most important centres of serpent worship in Kerala. The Kerala custom of snake worship reaches a climax at Mannarasala, where there is a sacred grove and a temple dedicated to 'Nagaraja,', king of  snakes. Every house is supposed to have a 'sarpakavu' or a snake house with a 'nagakal' or snake stone. Those who cannot maintain one, send their snake stone to Mannarasala. A priest called a Nambiathry looks after the temple. Childless couples who come to pray there bring an 'urli' as an offering to the priest.

Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple

'Kettukazhcha' is very famous and it is a procession of tall decorated structures in chariots where effigies of horses and bullocks are displayed. This festival is celebrated during February/March.

Ambalapuzha

It is situated 14 kms. away from Alleppey. In its architectural features, the Sreekrishna Temple confirms the typical Kerala style. The temple is famous through out Kerala for 'Palpayasam', a milk porridge of exceptional sweetness  offered to the deity.

Karumadikkuttan

Situated 3 km east of Ambalapuzha, this village is known for its 10th century Karumadikkuttan statue, a black granite figure of the great Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.  There are many interesting legends connected to this idol.