8 Best Things To Do In The “Venice Of The East”, Alleppey, India
Named the “Venice of the East,” Alleppey, the headquarters of backwater tourism, is well known for its backwater, canals, lagoons, beaches, and paddy fields. Located in the heart of the backwaters of Kerala, Alleppey is a tourism hotspot primarily due to its fascinating houseboats cruises in the rustic backwaters of Kerala.
With a large network of inland canals and ports along the Malabar Coast, Alleppey was once the busiest center of trade and even today it is the center for Coir carpet industries and prawn cultivation. Alleppey was also one of the places where St. Thomas the Apostle built the Churches. Alleppey is also known for its spectacular Snake Nehru boat races held on the second Saturday of August, every year. The backwater cruise gives a first-hand experience of the lifestyle; fishing, toddy beating, Coir-making, prawn cultivation, etc.
If you are planning to visit Alleppey, here are some of the top attractions:
1. Tour the Backwaters
Your trip is incomplete without a houseboat tour in the beautiful backwaters of Kerala. The trip can be taken for a short period or overnight. There are many kinds of houseboats; small, big, and the luxurious ones. The smooth sail through the calm backwaters encompassing vibrant and colorful surroundings offers the beautiful spectacle of wildlife, luscious vegetation, and the lifestyle of inhabitants along both sides of the river. You can see paddy fields that are 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters) below sea level. After Holland, this is the biggest area below sea level.
The beauty of the lake, sunset in the mid of tall coconut trees and backwaters, and other boats sailing across the lake, is amazing. Then there is the tasty Kerala food; yummy fish curry, spiced fried chicken, spiced fried Kingfish, vegetable sambar (curry) and chutney that is the specialty of the region, cooked in the houseboat. You can even buy your own choice of fish from the waterside shops and the crew will prepare them for you.
Backwaters Tour
Address: AlleppeyWebsite: Backwaters Tour
2. Alappuzha Beach
Alappuzha Beach is a clean beach with a long coastline. The view of the sunset over blue expanse of water, fishnets, and fishermen with their catch is amazing. An old lighthouse and kids playing area called Amaze World are also there. It is also known for its 150 year old jetty which stretches into the sea. The beach is famous for the Sand Art Festival, Alappuzha Beach Festival and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, which takes place every year in the month of August. The old sea bridge creates a good background for a photo session.
Alappuzha Beach
Address: Near Alappuzha Railway StationWebsite: Alappuzha Beach
3. Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple
This beautiful and well maintained Lord Krishna temple is one of the major temples of Kerala. Here, rituals are carried out as per age-old traditions. The Prasadam, Pal Payasam (a sweet pudding made of rice and milk) offered by the temple is always in great demand. You could experience the feel of divinity in the peaceful and spiritual ambiance of the temple.
This temple campus is quite big and one has to walk through the shops to reach the main entrance. Males need to remove their shirt before entering the temple. The temple also features an old drum called Mizhavu, used by the legendary poet Kunjan Nambiar. The drum is associated with the satirical art form called Ottam Thullal.
Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple
Address: 14 km (8.69 mile) drive from townWebsite: Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple
4. Alappuzha Lighthouse
Situated at the Alleppey Beach this 150 year old lighthouse offers a beautiful 360-degree view of Alleppey from the top. You will also have a magnificent view of the beach and the setting sun in the sea. The view from the top is stunning with beautiful green countryside on three sides and the Arabian Sea on the fourth. The old-fashioned museum at the entrance gate provides the history of the Alappuzha Lighthouse and the changes lighthouses have undergone over the years.
Alappuzha Lighthouse
Address: CCSB Rd, Civil Station Ward, Alappuzha, Kerala 688012Website: Alappuzha Lighthouse
5. Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race
Named after the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who inaugurated the race in 1952, this snake boat race festival is an annual event held here on the second Saturday of every August. The spectacle of men rowing the boats and cheerleaders motivating them to win the race is enthralling and a royal treat to the eyes. The winners get a trophy in the form of a silver snake boat on a wooden pedestal.
Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race
Address: Alleppey BeachWebsite: Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race
6. International Coir Museum
This is a place where you can see articles made of coir and coconut. The museum clearly outlines the various stages in the development of the coir industry in Kerala. The process is well explained and there are samples of machinery used over the years. They have some good exhibits of coir art, and technical instruments used for coir manufacturing. The house made of coir products are amusing.
The museum conducts a small video show, which needs pre-booking, and it also houses a shop selling the coir products, which are extremely well priced and great ideas for gift shopping or souvenirs. After visiting the museum you may never see a coconut the same way again!
International Coir Museum
Address: Ward 14, Salem, Kochi, Kanyakumari Hwy, Kalavoor, Kerala 688522Website: International Coir Museum
7. Kayaking & Canoeing
This is the best way to experience the backwaters, see nature and go where the big boats can’t go, and you get to go along the smaller backwaters without all the big boats crowding you. Kayaking and canoeing allows you to see the parts of Alleppey that cannot be seen by road, where you will see women washing clothes, children playing, birds fishing, and houseboats going by. Breakfast is provided by this tour at a local place, and they provide the pick-up and drop-off too.
Kayaking & Canoeing
Address: AlleppeyWebsite: Kayaking & Canoeing
8. St. Mary's Forane Church
Situated on the banks of the backwaters, St. Mary’s Forane Church is one of the oldest Catholic churches in India and is the mother church of most of the Catholic Syrian churches in the Alappuzha district. The church, mostly made of wood, is very spacious inside and has a quiet and cool ambiance to sit and meditate. The paintings are very beautiful, and an important relic of the catholic tradition is also kept in the church. The annual festival of the church is very famous, where thousands of people visit the church to mark the occasion.
St. Mary's Forane Church
Address: On the way to Tripunithura Hill PalaceWebsite: St. Mary’s Forane Church
Enjoy the backwaters in the "Venice Of The East,” Alleppey
Source: Thierry Leclerc on Flickr
The headquarters of backwater tourism will enthrall you with its beautiful canals, lagoons, and beaches. A first-hand experience of the rustic Kerala lifestyle can be observed from close quarters in Alleppey. Without a houseboat tour in the beautiful backwaters of Alleppey, your Kerala trip cannot be termed as complete. It’s a must-visit place in “God’s Own Country,” Kerala. 8 Best Things To Do In The “Venice Of The East”, Alleppey, India
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