Feel the Romance and Beauty of Nature

Dazzling calm lagoons, picturesque lakesides and Palm fringed canals and shores. This is what awaits one at Alappuzha, which is also called as the Venice of the East. Emerging fast as a hot tourist spot, Alappuzha is gifted with nature and is known for the fabulous houseboat cruises, snake boat races and beaches.

Towering palm trees, lush green fields and green waters give Alappuzha a charm. Exotic natural luxury is what greets one in Alappuzha, which cannot be missed in one's tour map. Feel the romance and beauty of true nature at Alapuzzha.

Backwaters form a landmark of Alappuzha. A cruise in the serene green waters in a Kettuvallom (houseboat) is a unique experience. Kettuvalloms were once used as grain barges to transport rice. Converted to accommodate tourists, the houseboats have all luxury from bedrooms with toilets, dining areas and sit outs. You can also have mouth-watering dishes, which are prepared in the boat itself.

The Snake boat race in the tranquil Alappuzha backwaters is another attraction. It is dazzling to see about 100 oarsmen splashing their oars at a time in their special snake boats called Chundanvalloms at the race.

Other places of tourist interest are Krishnapuram Palace, Pathiramanal, Ambalappuzha, Karumadi, Punnapra, Kuttanad, Edathua Church and Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple.

Krishnapuram Palace, an 18th century double storied structure displays typical Kerala architecture. It has one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala -- Gajendra Moksham. Pathiramanal is a small island in the Vembanad Lake.

One of Kerala's most famous temples, Ambalappuzha boasts of typical temple architectural style of the state. The temple is famed for its palpayasam (a sweet milk porridge), which is offered to the deity. Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple is another famous temple, which is a serpent shrine. A unique feature of this temple is that the rituals are done under the guidance of a priestess. Legend says that the first priestess of Mannarasala gave birth to a five-headed snake, which is believed to reside in the ancestral house. It is said that barren women who visit the temple will be blessed with children. A special turmeric paste at the shrine is credited with powers to cure leprosy. Karumadi has traces to Buddhism. Here one can see a black granite figure of Buddha, believed to be of the 9th century.

Edathua Church, situated about 24 kms away from Alappuzha, is dedicated to St George. Established in 1810, it is believed that prayers and offerings here help to heal mental disorders.

Punnapra is another place one should not miss. This village has gone down in history for the heroic clashes between the communists and Travancore State Police during the 1946 Punnapra Vayalar uprising.

Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala, lies in the very heart of the backwaters. The paddy fields that stretch for miles, coconut trees dotting the canal banks and inland waterways make Kuttanad spectacular.

The beaches here are also charming. The Alappuzha beach, with a pier extending into the sea is picturesque.