Alappuzha Alleppey The Heart of Backwaters STD Code +91 477 Major Railway Stations Alappuzha Cherthala Chengannur Mavilikkara Kayamkulam Closest Airport Cochin International Airport 7 The wind slowly wafts through the rolling paddy fields, swaying palm fronds to the vast, sedate backwaters. Life has a slow pace in the almost magical village life of Alappuzha. The greenery that stretches as far as eyes can reach, the winding canals, enthralling backwaters, pristine nature makes Alappuzha a dream come true for the casual and serious traveller. The name Alappuzha is derived from Aal Even from the early periods of celebrated historic importance of Alappuzha District. (Sea)+ puzhai (River-mouth). The district ‘Sangam’ age, Kuttanad, known as the Christianity had a foothold in this of Alappuzha (Aleppey) was formed in the rice bowl of Kerala, with its paddy fields, district, even from the 1st century AD. The 17th August, 1957, carving regions out of small streams and canals with lush green church located at Kokkamangalam was the erstwhile Quilon (Kollam) and Kotta- coconut palms, was well known. The one of the seven churches founded by St. yam districts, spreading in 1414sq.km. The name Kuttanad is ascribed to the early Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of district headquarters is at Alappuzha. Cheras who were called the Kuttavans. Jesus Christ. It is generally believed that Alappuzha, the backwater heartland dis- Literary works like “Unnuneeli Sandesam”, he landed at Maliankara in Muziris Port, trict of Kerala, exudes all the bewitching one of the oldest literary works of Kerala, later came to be known as Cranganore charm that Kerala has. Alappuzha finds give some insight into the ancient history or Kodungallur, in 52 AD and preached reference in the ancient writings of the district. Archaeological antiquities, Christianity. The church located at Kok- of Roman scholars like Plyni and Ptolemy. such as the stone inscriptions, historical kamangalam or Kokkothamangalam was Alappuzha had trade relations with the monuments found in temples, churches, founded by St. Thomas. ancient Romans and Greeks during the and rock-cut caves, also highlight the The district flourished under the Cheras BC era 8 and it is believed that the Sanskrit drama, The trust and faith that the king reposed bestowed upon them every favour that ‘Ascharya Choodamani`, authored by in Kesavan was fully justified. Dharmaraja they required for setting up their business Sakthibhadran, was written here. Folklore found in him a God sent emancipator for and for building up their industrial also has it that Lord Ayyappa, the deity saving the country from the prevailing empire. of Sabarimala Temple, stayed here and troubles and turmoil. Later Raja Kesava- Two parallel canals, commercial canal learned martial arts, at Mukkalvattom das went on to become the military chief and vadaicanal with the ramifying system temple, near Muhamma. of Travancore. of waterways were built for the easy Later the region came under the the His greatest achievement, however, was transportation of goods to the port as well kingdom of Chempakasseri, one princely his contribution in making Alappuzha as to the western countries. state of Alappuzha. The princedom was one of the busiest ports of the time and Alappuzha has its name etched in gold, at its zenith during the reign of Pooradam developing a system of inland canals for in the history of India’s freedom struggle Thirunal Devanarayana, a great scholar transportation and navigation. He found and social movement. The campaign for and a poet apart from a renowned states- Alappuzha very suitable, because of the eradication of untouchability was man. It is said that the Sreekrishna Swami geographical and oceanic reasons. Being organized much earlier in this district by temple, at Ambalappuzha was construct- a far-sighted statesman he knew the T.K. Madhavan, a fearless journalist and in ed and the idol of Lord Krishna installed importance of having a port town to trade 1925 the approach roads to the temples, during that time. with the western countries. Raja Kesava- especially in Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Alappuzha was destined to face a differ- das was unique in having such a splendid Swami temple were thrown open to the ent destiny after the arrival of the Portu- vision, much far ahead of his time. He Hindus of all castes. The district also guese. After they landed from Calicut, the became very successful in materialising witnessed the ‘Nivarthana’ movement Portuguese began playing a major role his dream and the first ship embarked at which was started as a protest against in Alappuzha. They began by spreading Alappuzha in 1786. the constitutional repression in 1932. The Catholicism and went on to convert even Raja Kesavadas made further headway first political strike in Kerala was held at the already existing Christians into their in attracting business men from various Alappuzha in 1938. fold. The famous St. Andrew’s Basilica, parts of the country including those The district also played a pivotal role in situated at Arthunkal was built during the from Bombay, Gujarat, Rajasthan etc. He the history of trade union movement in influential periods of the Portuguese. encouraged them to settle in the land and Kerala. The Punnapra-Vayalar uprising By the 17th Century, the Portuguese sway began to decline and the Dutch started gaining predominance. Then the place was divided into many small principalities like Purakkad, Kayamkulam, Chempakassery, etc. The Dutch built many warehouses for storing ginger and pepper by appeasing the rulers of the area. Though initially they focused on trade, the Dutch began to interfere with the culture and politics of the region. This inspired the then ruler of Venadu dynasty, Maharaja Marthanda Varma (1706 – 1758) to interfere in the princedoms. He had a major role in transforming the district into a hub of trade. During the reign of Balaramavarma Ma- haraja of Travancore, Velu Thampi Dalava took keen interest in the development of the town and port. He brought the whole area of the island Pathiramanal under coconut cultivation and large tracts under paddy cultivation. It is said that Raja Kesavadas is the architect of the district. Employed as a clerk with a prominent businessman Poku Moosa Marackar, he used to accompany the businessman to the royal palaces. Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma, who was affectionately called by his subjects as Dharmaraja, was very much impressed by the intelligence and hardworking nature of Kesavan that he soon promoted him in his service and conferred on him more and more responsibilities, which Kesavan carried out in the most efficient manner. 9 in Alappuzha. The pier, a benchmark of mural paintings, one of them the largest the place, which extends into the sea, is in Kerala, titled ‘Gajendramoksham’ over 137 years old. An old lighthouse still Kuttanad remains a fascination for tourists. There is a beach park, nearby, which adds more Known as the ‘rice bowl of Kerala’ as the entertainment value to the place. place has vast wetlands, where paddy is cultivated. The place consists of backwa- Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple ter islands, where a blissful natural beauty The temple, which is situated about and sedate village life work as pure balm 15 kms. south of Alappuzha, is built in for travellers and tourists. What is so the typical Kerala architectural style. unique about Kuttanad is that the paddy The sacred offering of this temple, fields are situated 1.5 to 2 metres below ‘Paalpayasam’, a deliciously sweet milk sea level. porridge, is celebrated across the world. Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple History has it that Kunchan Nambiar, the father of “Ottanthullal’, an art form of Situated about 32 kms. south of Alap- Kerala, designed and performed the art, puzha, near Harippad, this is a temple for the first time, in this temple. dedicated to holy serpents. The shrine is under the patronage of a ‘Brahman’ Arthunkal Church family, and unlike other temples in India, An important pilgrimage destination for the poojas in the sanctum are held by a Christians in Kerala, originally built by the priestess. Portuguese. Arthunkal is situated. Marari Beach Idol of Karumadi Kuttan 22 kms. north of Alappuzha. A tourist hotspot in Alappuzha, the Marari Chavara Bhavan (October, 1946), by the Communists Beach offers amazing vistas of the sea. against the rule of Sir C.P. Ramaswamy The ancestral home of the recently canon- There are many resorts and spas and Iyer the then Diwan (Prime Minister) of the ized St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, situated tourists prefer the place for a thrilling stay Kingdom of Travancore, is the most noted in an island, accessible only by boat. and ayurvedic treatments. among these. Thousands of devotees who come here The Pathiramanal Island and prays feel blessed and receive favours Exploring Alappuzha! from the Saint. A small beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake, found and developed by the kings With its large network of inland canals, Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple paddy fields fringed by coconut palms and ministers of Travancore. The island is make Alappuzha the apple of the trav- Chettikkulangara is a famous Devi temple an ideal spot to enjoy the natural beauty ellers’ eyes. The canals are virtually the which draws devotees from across Ker- and serenity. lifeline of Alappuzha. In the glorious past, ala. The annual festival, ‘Kettukazhcha’ Vembanad Lake Alappuzha was one of the busiest ports in features decorated structures on chariots, The longest and largest lake in India, the Malabar coast. Even today, the city re- effigies of horses, bullocks and the like. which covers a large, extensive area. The tains its old-world charm. The mirror-like Edathua Church lake is famous for its backwater cruise still ponds, dreamy canals and the breath- Dedicated to St. George, the church was boats and small boats, which allow taking expanse of the backwaters and the established in 1810.