TOURISM
Destination
Alappuzha
P. R. Roy
E
ngulfed by the Arabian Sea and
Vembanad Lake, Alappuzha,
popular under the appellation
“Venice of the East,” beckons the tourist
to enjoy the scenic beauty of Backwaters.
Alappuzha, the gateway of Backwater
tourism, has a prime position in the world
tourism map. The snakeboats and
houseboats are the two major attractions
of the district. Backwater cruise in a
houseboat or motorboat is the main
attraction for the tourist. The backwaters
fringed with lush green bearing coconut
palms, twisting its top in the breeze, long
spread paddy fields, traditional fishing
operations, moving cargos, country crafts
and other aspects relating to the village
life can be experienced in the course of
the cruise.
Being an ancient town and the
commercial metropolis of the erstwhile
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Travancore, the relics of the ancient glory
of Alappuzha are interesting. The antique
beauty of the town is better be enjoyed
on foot. Being the capital of coir industry,
the production of coir and coir products
both in the traditional way and in the
modern mechanised way are very
interesting.
Alappuzha beach is one of the best
beaches of Kerala. The evenings can be
spent in the beach enjoying the sunset
and the meteoric fall of highflying waves
on the shore. Vijay Park, sea view park,
picnic spot, the old pier etc are the main
locations the tourists can visit at the beach
area.
Pathiramanal, an island in the
Vemband Lake, is a beauty spot and the
abode of rare migratory birds. Boats and
the country canoes are available here to
take the tourists to the island.
Mannarassala Nagaraja Temple,
Chakkulathukavu, Ambalappuzha Sree
Krishna Swamy Temple, Harippad
Temple, Devi Temple at Chengannoor,
Arthunkal Church, Edathva Church,
Kokkothamangalam St. Antony’s Church,
Cheppad Church etc. are the important
pilgrim centres of Alappuzha.
Krishnapuram Palace at
Kayamkulam, Karumadikuttan,
Thanneermukkam tourist complex etc.
are the other places of tourism
importance.
The Kumarakom bird sanctuary and
tourist complex are very near to
Alappuzha.
Generally, the tourism season of
Alappuzha starts in the month of August
with the beginning of snake boat races in
and around Alappuzha. However, during
May, June and July, the comparatively off-
season period, tourists arrive for
Ayurvedic massages and treatments.
December 2004 z KERALA CALLING

JOSHY MANJUMMEL
The destination is famous for its own
recipes and cuisines especially see fish and
lake fish preparations. Toddy, the
traditional drink tapped from coconut
palm with side dishes is a unique feature
of the destination.
Tourist assistance and
information
The tourist information centres near
the KSRTC bus station Alappuzha,
maintained by the District Tourism
Promotion Council and Department of
Tourism provide information and other
assistances, required for the tourists.
Location and accessibility
Alappuzha is accessible by both road
and rail. It is 150 km north from
Thiruvananthapuram Central and 64 km
south from the Ernakulam junction. The
proximity of NH47 makes the
conveyance through road easy. Alappuzha
is 84 kms southwards from
KERALA CALLING z December 2004
JOSHY MANJUMMEL
Nedumbassery International Airport.
Accommodation
Tourist accommodation is available in
low, medium and star facility lodges and
lakeside resorts with tariff range of Rs.100
to Rs.8000 per day. Houseboat
accommodation is available with facilities
such as single, double and upto 10
persons. Charges are in the range of
Rs.4000 to Rs.10000 depending on the
number of persons and facilities offered.
Houseboats serve the purpose of
accommodation and cruise with food.
Accommodation in houses on paying
guest basis is also available.
Boat cruise
The DTPC and other private agencies
are conducting special tailor-made cruises
according to the requirement of the
guests. The eight hours long Alappuzha
– Kollam cruise in a motorboat is
conducted by the DTPC on a daily basis.
Boarding pass and other details will be
available from the DTPC offices at
Alappuzha and Kollam. In the case of the
trips conducted by the private operators,
passes will be available from the offices
of the concerned operators.
Apart from the above conducted trips,
State Water Transport Department runs
a number of ferry services to various
destinations. These services are
comparatively less expensive. Those who
are interested to have a boat trip in the
company of local passengers can very well
opt the passenger service operated by the
State Water Transport Department.
The destination is ideal for those who
are interested in spending their holidays
in an eco-friendly atmosphere enjoying
the pristine beauty of the backwater.
Domestic tourist can select the
destinations even for one-day picnic.
Destination Alappuzha will be an
unforgettable experience for the tourist.
For more information, contact:
www.alappuzhatourism.com, e-mail:
alp_dtpcalpy@sancharnet.in, telephone:
0477 2253308, 2251796, Secretary,
DTPC: mobile: 9447483308
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