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 Alleppey - Criss-crossed by interconnecting canals, Alleppey (the new name
is Alappuzha) is a little market town in Kerala. It makes most of its money
from coir making, toddy tapping, prawn farming and boat riding on its
backwaters. The 'Venice of the East', as the canal town, has been fondly
named, is the gateway to the lovely church town of Kottayam and to Aranmula,
famous for its historic Aranmula Snake Boat Race.
Alleppey is a quiet town where the rustle of wet palm fronds on the
backwaters, are often the only indication of signs of life. But come August,
there is a sense of urgency, a building up of noise, a roar and then entire
villages standing up to shout, egging on the oarsmen as they row gustily on
the Vembanad Lake. The Nehru Trophy (India's first prime minister Jawaharlal
Nehru, inaugurated in 1952.) Snake boat Race in August is repeated during
the tourist season, titled Tourism Snake boat Race around mid-January.
GETTING THERE :
Kochi (66 km) is the major airport & rail head. Alappuzha is also linked by rail to Kochi.
Alleppey is served by frequent
ferries from Kumarakom (2 hrs), Kottayam (2 1/2 hrs), Quilon
(8 hrs) and Kochi (3 1/2 hrs).
A one and a half hour drive from
Cochin along the national highway, close and parallel to the Arabian sea, also
brings you to Alleppey.
Aqua tourism
With the Arabian sea on the west and
a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers criss crossing it,
Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the Venice
of the East by travelers from across the world, this backwater country is
also home to diverse animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the
sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of
Kerala. Today Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist center,
attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also
famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir
industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad.
The rice bowl of Kerala, Kuttanad is perhaps the only place in the world where
farming is done below sea level.
 Pathiramanal (Backwater)
This little island on the backwaters is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare
migratory birds from different parts of the world. The island is accessible only
by boat.
Boat races
Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada (2nd Saturday of August) Alappuzha
Tourism Boat Race (9th January) Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race (last Saturday
of August) Champakulam Moolam Boat Race (Moolam day of Midhunam - July) Payippad
Jalotsavam (4th Onam day - August/September) Neerettupuram Boat Race (Onam -
August/September).
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