Alappuzha

Kuttanad Boat Races Alappuzha Backwaters Alappuzha Beach Pathiramanal

MUST SEE

Area : 1256 sq kms Population (2001) : 21,05,349 Altitude : Sea level Clothing : Tropical Tourist Season : August to March With Arabian Sea in the west and intertwined by a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. The never ending panorama of backwaters, lush paddy fields, glorious greeneries give Alappuzha a great significance in the tourist map of Kerala. This backwater abode is also home for diverse animals and birds. ‘Venice of the East’ is the synonym for Alappuzha. This was once a leading port of Southern India with commodities like spices, coir and aquatic products dominating exports. Alleppey green is the main variety among cardamom exported to all the major countries. This commodity imbibed its name not because it was produced or processed here, but it was exported from Alleppey port. Today Alappuzha is an important backwater destination attracting several thousands foreign tourists every year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singularity of this district is the region called Kuttanad – a land of lush paddy fields referred to as the rice bowl of Kerala and one of the few places in the world where farming is done below the sea level.

Telephone Access Codes

Alappuzha ++ 91 477 Chenganoor ++ 91 479 Cherthala ++ 91 478 Haripad ++ 91 479 Kalavoor ++ 91 477 Kayamkulam ++ 91 479 Mavelikkara ++ 91 479

Transport and Communication

Air - Nearest airports - Cochin International Airport (85 kms), Ph: 0484 2610115. Trivandrum International Airport (150 kms), Airport International Ph: 0471 2500140, Domestic - 0471 2702311. Rail - From the central railway station there are direct trains to all the main towns in Kerala and to the major cities in India. Railway station, Ph: 0477 2238465, 2253865. Railway enquiry - Ph: 139, 1397. Road - Alappuzha is connected by road with several tourist centres and cities in India. Long distance buses operate from KSRTC Bus Station, Ph: 0477 2252501. There are frequent bus services to Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kollam and Kottayam.

Local Transport: Buses, Taxis and Autorikshaws. Ferry Services: Boat services provided to various places around Alappuzha, Ph: 0477 2252015. Public boat service enquiry - Ph: 0477 2252510. Tourist Information Offices: District Tourism Promotion Council, Ph: 0477 2251796, 2253308. Tourist Information Office, Department of Tourism, Ph: 0477 2260722.

Places Interested

Chavara Bhavan: (6 km from Alappuzha and accessible only by boat) Chavara Bhavan is the ancestral home of the Blessed Father Chavara Kuriakose Elias. It is now an important pilgrim center where thousands of devotees gather for praying and receiving favours. One can reach this shrine only by boat. A 250 years old beacon of light is kept here in its original and primitive form.

Champakkulam Church: One of the oldest churches in Kerala, the St. Mary’s Church is believed to be one of the seven established by St. Thomas, the Apostle. The annual feast of this church is usually celebrated on the third Sunday of October every year.

Q S T and R Block Kayal: These regions are wonders of the indigenous agricultural engineering know –how of Kerala and remind the visitor of the famous dikes of Holland. Extensive areas of land have been reclaimed from the backwaters and are protected by dikes built all around. Here cultivation and habitation are made possible four to ten feet below sea level. A leisurely cruise along canals that surround these kayals is a memorable experience.

Fascinating Destinations

Alappuzha Beach | Ambalapuzha Temple | Aravukad Devi Temple | Arthunkal Church | Chakkulathukavu Temple | Champakkulam Church | Chavara Bhavan | Chettikulangara Temple | Karumadikuttan | Krishnapuram Palace | Kuttanad | Mannarsala Temple | Munnodi Durga Temple | Pathiramanal | Q S T and R Block Kayal | St. George Church, Edathua | Thrikkunnapuzha Temple | Varanad Devi Temple

Alappuzha Beach 137 years old pier is the main attraction.

Alappuzha Beach: This is one of the most popular picnic spots in Alappuzha. A 137 years old pier which extends into the sea is the main attraction. An age - old Light House attracts large crowds. Vijaya Beach Park (Open: 15002000 hrs) which is a picnic spot with children’s park and boating add beauty to the beach. The facilities like toy train, bicycles etc. are available. Sea View Park close by also provides boating facilities and swimming pool. Munnodi Durga Temple: The Kanjiramchira Munnodi Bhagavathy temple, well known for its prosperity and bounty, is situated on the Sea-Shore of Alappuzha.

Kuttanad Known as the rice bowl of Kerala

Kuttanad: Kuttanad is known as the rice bowl of Kerala. With a vast stretch of greenery Kuttanad is situated in the heart of backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of banana, tapioca cassava and yam and the farming is done 1.5 to 2 mts below sea level. Inland waterways, which flow above land level, are amazing features of this region. The most popular route taken to get close and explore Kuttanad is the Alappuzha-Changanasserry road. This road goes through the heart of Kuttanad and gives visitors plenty of options to watch the day-to-day life at Kuttanad. The canals that crisscross Kuttanad are home to tall coconut trees that sway with the breeze. St. George Church, Edathua: (24 Km from Alap puzha on the Alappuzha - Thiruvalla road) This church,established in 1810, is dedicated to St.George. It is believed that prayers and offerings at this church help to heal all mental disorders and other ailments. During the annual feast (May 5,6,7) many devotees, irrespective of cast and creed, visit the church and seek Blessings.

Mannarsala Sree Nagaraja Temple: (32 km South of Alappuzha) Mannarsala in Alappuzha, situated near Haripad, is perhaps the only temple unique with its deity of Nagaraja, the Serpant God. Snake worship is common in Kerala and the temple, it is believed, is the residence of five-headed snake grant boons to devotees. An Uruli (a brass vessel) is offered to the temple by the childless couple to get a new born nd overturn before the Nagaraja. The Uruli which remained overturned is kept upright as a symbol of thanks giving by the couples who is blessed with a child.

Chettikulangara Bhagavati Temple: The Kettukazhcha festival at this temple draws large crowds of devotees. This is one of the few temples in Kerala where ritual arts like Garudan Thookkam is performed. Procession of all decorated structures on chariots, brightly decorated effigies of horses and bullocks and cultural performance make the festival spectacular. Festival - February/March.

Krishnapuram Palace Famous for the mural painting

Krishnapuram Palace: (47 km from Alappuzha) This palace in Karthikapally in Kayamkulam was built by King Marthanda Varma in 18th century. It is famous for the mural painting of the puranic story of Gajendramoksham which sized in 14 feet by 11 feet. The museum is the treasure of vast collection of paintings, sculptures and bronze.

Varanad Devi Temple: The Varanad Devi Temple is a very Ancient Temple situated on the North Eastern side of Chertala. It is about 3 kms from the Chertala Transport bus stand. The Devi is represented as riding on the Vethala after killing the demon Darika. The Holy Place is always througed by devotees coming from different parts of the country seeking the Blessings of the goddess. The devotees of Varanad are very particular that the Pongala should be performed in the Varanad Devi Temple. The Bharani Festival during the Malayalam month of Kumbham is the most important Festival. The Devi’s figure with four hands is drawn and workshipped by singing devotional songs and it is called Kalamezhuttu and Pattu on the 41st day, the Divine figure of the Devi is represented with 16 hands holding many weapons and devotees rush to the Temple to have the Darshan of the Bhagawathy in this form drawn in the Mukhamandapam of the Temple. This is supposed to be the Poorna Roopam of the Devi - the full Forms which can be seen only on this particular occassion. Varanad Devi Temple, Varanad P.O, Cherthala, Alappuzha Dist, Ph : 0478 2822691

Chakkulathukavu Bhagavathy Temple Celebrates Pongala festival during Nov/Dec

Chakkulathukavu Bhagavathy Temple: Chakkulathukavu Bhagavathy Temple ‘The Sabarimala of women’ is located at Ambalapuzha, Neerattupuram in Alappuzha District of Kerala after Thakazhi and Edathuva. (17 kms East of Ambalapuzha and 9 kms west of Thiruvalla). Chakkulathamma the benefactress cosmic mother, the conduit power of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara, the creator, preserver and destroyer dwells here. This Bhagavathy temple is famous for its Pongala Maholsav. Pongala is a devout offering made of pudding by devotees as a reverent exposure of their awesome offering of love and respect. The myth about Chakkulathamma makes an interesting reading as it was she who transformed a foolish shepherd into the saint poet Kalidas overnight. The revered Brahmasree Radhakrishnan Thirumeni, the best among the blessed of Chakkulathamma provide remedy to all who approach him for various worldly solutions. Unnikrishnan Namboodiri, Ashokan Namboodiri and Ranjith Namboodiri worship the goddess during the daily temple rituals under the efficient and capable guidance of the administrator Brahmasree Manikuttan Namboodiri who is also famous in writing divine songs. Pongala - This is the phenomenally renowned festival that takes place in the temple during the month of ‘Vrischikam’ (November/December). This is the time when the glory of the Goddess is at its peak. Lakhs of women devotees gather around the temple as early as even one week before

the function. The temple premises will be over crowded and the devotees arrange places for offering the pongala on both sides of the main streets. The queue usually extends to a surprising length of 20 km. Rice, coconut and jaggery are brought by women devotees along with round earthen pots for cooking. The Chief Priest lights the main hearth from the divine fire inside the sanctum sanctorum. This fire is exchanged from one oven to another. Every year at the time of lighting the main hearth an eagle is found to circle far above the sky. This is an unfailing blessing of the Goddess. The sight of the bird drives the devotees into an inexplicable feeling of ecstacy. They utter the divine names of the mother and the atmosphere echoes and reverberates with a thousand names of the Goddess. Pandrandu Noyampu this is the type of fasting and prayer which qualifies the devotee for eternal blessings of Chakkulathamma. This fasting starts every year from the first day of the Malayalam month of Dhanu till the twelfth. Men and women irrespective of age, caste or creed can resort to this powerful fasting. They have a streamlined life with a bath in the early morning and chanting of Devi mantras as far as possible. They adhere to strict vegetarianism and totally shun cigarettes or liquors. Brahmacharya or a condition of celibacy is observed during this period. Chakkulathukave Sree Bhagavathy Temple, P.O. Neerattupuram, Thiruvalla - 689 571. Ph : 0477 2213550, www.chakkulathukavutemple.org Karumadikuttan: (15 km from Alappuzha) Many interesting legends are associated with this 11th Century statue of Lord Buddha. St. Sebastian Church, Arthunkal: ( 22 km from Alappuzha) The feast of St. Sebastian, the patron saint, (Arthunkal Perunnal) celebrated in January, gathers together many devotees in this important Christian pilgrim center which is near to Cherthala and 22 kms from Alappuzha.

Cruise through Kerala in a Houseboat: Have you ever gone cruising in a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala? If you haven't, make sure you do. This one is really a wonderful and unforgettable experience. Present day houseboats are huge, slow moving exotic barges used for leisure trips, and are in fact reworked version of kettuvallams of olden times. Now these are a familiar sight on the backwaters and in Alappuzha alone, there are as many as 500 houseboats.

Boat Races

Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada : This spectacular event began in 1952 in connection with the visit of Pandit Jawaharlal

Nehru to Alappuzha . Usually this mega boat race is conducted on 2nd

Saturday of August.

Pulinkkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race - Last Saturday of August.

Champakkulam Moolam Boat Race - Moolam day of Midhunam (July).

Payippadu Jalotsavam - 4th Onam day (August/September)

Neerettupuram Boat Race - Onam Festival Week (August/September)

Aravukad Devi Temple: The temple is eight kms south from Alappy town, at the eastern side of N.H at Punnapra. This Temple is dedicated to Devi, She after Killing the demon Daruka is represented in her mighty form. The idol is designed out of Krishna Sila and represents the different forms of the Devi as Saraswathi, Parvathi and Lakshmi in the morning, after Killing the demon. She is said to have washed her sword in the Temple pond behind the temple. The Devi of Aravukad temple is said to be the sister of the Devi of Kannichakulangara and Kodungalloor. The Festival of this Devi Temple starts in the Malayalam month of Meenum from Bharani to Pooram for ten days. The Swarna Dhawajam is another attraction of this famous temple. In this Devi Temple Pongala is performed as an offering. In the Malayalam month of Makaram on the Makayiram day the Pongala is celebrated. Aravukad Devi Temple is always throughed by devotees coming from different parts of the country seeking the blessing of goddess Aravukad Amma. Aravukad Sreedevi Temple Punnapra, Alappuzha - 688 004, Ph: 0477 2287655 Pathiramanal: (½ hrs by speedboat/ 1½ hrs by motor boat from Alappuzha) ‘Sands of Midnight’ is the literal meaning of the term Pathira-manal. There is an interesting story behind its name. A young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made the way for land to rise from below, thus creating this beautiful island. This tiny island on the backwaters is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. Lies between Thanneermukkam and Kumarakom, this island is accessible only by boat. Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple: (11 km South of Alappuzha) Ambalapuzha was the capital of Chembakassery Kings. In AD 1754, Divan Ramayya attached this Taluk to Travancore. Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple, built in typical Kerala architectural style, is an important pilgrim centre for Hindus. The temple with its office, staff quarters, guest rooms, elephant yard, bathing pond etc. is spanned over 40 acres of land. There are demigods outside the sanctum sanctorum. The annual festivities in Ambalapuzha temple present an array of different artefacts like Kathakali, Kooth, Koodiyattam, Ottam thullal, classical concerts etc. Ambalapuzha is again popular because of the ‘palpaysam’, a pudding offered to the Lord. The great poet Kunchan Nambiar spent a major part of his life, including the last, worshipping Lord Kirshna here. There is a memorial dedicated to the late poet who invented Thullal, a major artefact of Kerala’s own heritage. Thrikkunnapuzha Dharmasastha Temple: Thrikkunnapuzha Gramam (village) which extends from Pathiyankara to Pallana on both sides of the Thrikkunnapuzha river, a tributary of Bharathapuzha and the Mahakshetra (the great temple) exists at the apex centre. The archeological researches have recorded that this abode had attained its glory centuries ago. The abode of Sree Dharmasastha idol with wife and son in the temple is known extensively in Kerala, and the fact that hundreds of devotees visits the temple on pilgrimage stands as a testimony. This Dharmasastha temple is also well known as Padinjare Pathinettampadi.

Ayurveda

Krishnendu Ayurveda Hospital: Ayurveda, the holistic healing system is divine with its age-old history. Down the centuries, this science of life has proved beyond doubts that it is pure and effective in bringing glory to life, beating diseases and other body disorders. This art of healing boosts up your energy level stamina and alleviates your stress and anxiety, thereby giving you a healthy mind in a healthy body. The treatment is prescribed after considering the age and physical health of the patient and the severity of the ailment. The unique feature of the Ayurvedic treatment is that it is possible to root out the disease under this system. Following the hallowed mantra of ayurveda, krishnendu is completely dedicated to propagate this authentic healing system and comes as a clear choice for treatment and rejuvenation programmes. Established in 1908 by late M.C.Kunjurama-nvaidyan and developed by Vaidya Kala Nidhi R.KrishnanVaidyan, Krishnendu has been rich in possessing wisdom of four generations with the grace of ayurveda to cure and refresh Nestled at picturesque and refreshing ambience. Krishnendu brings exclusive, holistic and personalized treatment programme for a host of diseases including Arthritis and spine disorders to restore optimal health and well being. Dr.Suresh Babu & Dr.Mohan Babu expanded it further by adding new In-patient blocks. Now from the fourth generation, Dr.Sandeep krishna after completing his post-graduation in Ayurveda added Research department and developed special treatments for life style diseases. Treatment based on the ancient concept continues to be offered while utilizing modern diagnostic techniques. Many patients who have not got relief at other places come to Chingoli on hearing about it from those who have benefitted from the treatment here. The specialty of the treatment here is that all the conventional methods of Ayurvedic treatment are strictly followed. This can be seen in the good results achieved. It is well known that Ayurvedic treatment is not as expensive as the other branches of medicine. All the medicines used at the ChingolyAyurvedic Hospital are prepared at its own factory with strict quality control. The Hospital offers the best treatment with its well equipped Panchakarma Theatres. There are efficient and well qualified doctors and other staff in the in-patient and out-patient departments. All this is available to the patients at affordable rates. In Krishnendu various combinations of ayurvedictherapies are advised after a detailed examination of the patient medical history at the initial consultation. Then the patients will receive an individualized module consisting of therapeutic massage, dietary counseling, body detoxification and rejuvenating treatment. All therapies are conducted under the supervision of professional ayurvedic physicians. As part of extended rejuvenation programme, Krishnendu’s packages include the five fold body purification or detoxification programme known as panchakarma and the renowned ayurvedicway of rejuvenation known as Kayakalpa. Krishnendu, an ISO 9001-2015 certified organisation, is an authentic ayurvedic treatment center approved by Government of Kerala for medical reimbursement. For more information: Krishnendu Ayurveda Hospital, ChingoliP.O, Karthikappally, Alappuzha - 690 532, Ph: +91 95444 88333, +91 479 2486337, Emaii: krishnenduhospital@gmail.com, Web: www.krishnendu.org See Advt in Page 151