|
|
|
|
Alleppey
Alleppey is one of the most important tourist centers in the state, with a large network of inland canals earning it the sobriquet "Venice of the east". These large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. Alleppey was one of the busiest centers of trade in the past with one of the best known ports along the malabar coast. Even today it retains its charm as the centre for Coir carpet industries and prawn farming. Alleppey the ideal headquarters for backwater tourism as well as for visits to the lovely church filled town of Kottayam, and the town of Aranmula,famous for its historic Aranmula Snake Boat Race which is an annual event.
Alleppey is also known for its spectacular snake - boat races held on the second Saturday of August, every year. This competition - the Nehru boat race takes its name from India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who inaugurated in 1952. It is excitement all around as snake - boats , each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind. The event is a tremendous success with tourists and the local population alike.
The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alleppey give one first hand experience of the life style; toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, Coir-making, prawn farming etc., which remains more or less unchanged over the years.
Ambalapuzha
It is situated 14 kms. away from Alleppey. In its architectural features, the Sreekrishna Temple confirms the typical Kerala style. The temple is famous through out Kerala for 'Palpayasam' a milk porridge of exceptional sweetness offered to the deity.
Karumadikkuttan
Situated 3 km east of Ambalapuzha, this village is known for its 10th century Karumadikkuttan statue, a black granite figure of the great Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. There are many interesting legends connected to this idol.
Champakulam
Champakulam - the water logged village is also the place of oldest angadi (market) known as Kalloorkkadu angadi. The St. Mary Forane Church built in 427 A D is another major attraction famous for its beautiful mural paintings for both tourists and believers. In Champakulam you can see Nadubhagum and Champakulam snake boats which take part in the annual snake boat races.
ATDC - Alleppey Tourism Development Co-operative Society Ltd., is the premier body in the district of Alleppey, Kerala for the promotion of tourism. It was the first Co-operative in Kerala for promoting tourism, started in 1987. ATDC has more than 100 members. Its current president is Sri. N X Mathew and the secretary is Sri. T G Raghu.
ATDC has gained a unique position in Kerala's tourism arena as the organizers of India's first elephant rally on 11th August 1989 and the first motor boat rally on 12th August 1990. ATDC has also initiated many festivities and functions which later served as precedents for the State Government to make those a regular feature of Kerala's tourism calendar. ATDC also arranges cultural performances (Kathakali), Snake boatraces, Elephant march etc. for the tourist groups.
The infrastructure backbone of ATDC such as the Houseboats, Luxury Cruisers are owned and maintained by Kerala Backwaters Pvt. Ltd.; established in 1995. Kerala Backwaters has a fleet of 15 boats stationed at Alleppey. The fleet includes, Sanchari luxury cruiser with a seating capacity of 40 persons on top, shuttling between Alleppey and Quilon every day during season time.
The coming projects of ATDC include a resort in Alleppey, set amidst bacwaters in 25 acres, promoted by Waterworld Tourism Company Pvt. Ltd. The resort complex will be a perfect blend of traditional and modern
facilties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
