Alleppey (now Alappuzha) - The Venice of The East

chillibreeze writer — Maya Pillai

With the Arabian Sea on its West and criss-crossed by an intricate network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water bodies, lies Alappuzha - The Venice of the East. A land blessed with natural beauty and diversity.

Travelers from far and wide make a bee-line to this tourist mecca. Small catamarans are the taxis of this watery land. Alappuzha figures prominently in Kerala's maritime history, thanks to its proxity to the sea. A Trip in the houseboat along those endless backwater stretches is a no-miss for any tourist.

Tranquil lush green Kuttanad region, the Rice Bowl of Kerala represents Alleppey's crowning glory. Alleppey is also known for her feverish, neck-and-neck boat races, enchanting beaches, sumptuous marine products and a thriving coir industry. There is more to Alleppey than lush greenery and boatraces: the sweet soul-quenching experience of Ambalapuzha Paalpaayasam. (More of it later)

Kuttanad - Kerala's Rice Bowl

It's a75 km-stretch of land coolly sandwiched between sea and backwater. Far from the madding crowds, the region preserves the quintessence of rural Kerala. Kuttanad ranks amongst the few places in the world where farming happens below sea level. And not to forget, the head-bobbing broods of shimmering ducks crowding the boat's sides, beating out strange tunes and conducting the tourist to her/his destination.

Feverish Boat Races Drawing Madding Crowds

Come August/September and Kerala is lashed by torrential rains. The tranquil backwaters spring to life. With thousands lined up along the banks it's time now to play out one of the world's most watery pageants: Snake Boat Races. The crew rigorously practices for the race, months in advance. They live together, dine together, sleep together and iron themselves into a single-minded team. A procession is taken out with all types of catamarans (called “Kali-Vallangal”) in tow. The most royal of the lot is the 'Chundan' - the creme de la creme. With the boatmen's song ("Vanchi Pattu) renting the air the business is now set in motion. A wholesome feast for the eye and the ear.

It’s a cheering sight to see crowd of cycles, goats, fisherwoman with cane baskets, school children, toddy-tappers with their knives and pots. The coir workers attract one’s attention. It’s an interesting sight as they soak coconut fiber sometimes in pools or in canals, beat them out and weave the tough brown strands into long ropes on spindles stretched between endless coconut trees.

Sri Krishna Temple - A Testament of Faith

The Sri Krishna temple of Ambalapuzha, 14kms from Alappuzha stands out picture-perfect: an enduring testament to our temple architecture. The temple’s major festival falls in March.

Ambalapuzha Paalpaayasam and Beyond

The Sri Krishna Temple offers a one-of-its-kind sweet soul-quenching experience - Paalpaayasam. It is a sweet mild porridge offered to the deity.

Destination next: Karumadi, between Ambalapuzha and Thakazhy. The Karumadi village is the abode of Karumadi Kuttan, a figurine of Lord Buddha in black granite dating back to the 9th or 10th century. Thakazhy was home to the celebrated author Late Thakazhy Shiva Sankara Pillai.

Alleppey - ageless, mysterious, and perhaps matchless. Catch her live on camera. Words fall short of capturing wondrous Alleppey, God's handiwork in time and space.

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