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Alappuzha known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. A town with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons, it was described as the one of the places known as Venice of the East by Lord Curzon. It is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha District.
The history of the district in the Paleolithic age is obscure. It is presumed that the coastal taluks of Cherthala, Ambalapuzha and Karthikapally might have been under water and these areas were formed by the accumulation of silt and sand, later than the other parts of the district. Kuttanadu, one of the taluks of the present Alappuzha district was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age. Christianity had a strong foothold in the area even from the Ist century A.D. The church located at Kokkomangalam or Kokkothamangalam in Cherthala is one of the seven churches founded by St. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. During 9th to 12th century A.D, the district flourished in the field of religion and culture under the second Chera empire.
Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala with the unending stretch of paddy fields, small streams and canals with lush green coconut palms, was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age.The totalproduction of rice here is ten percent of the total production of the state. It is also regarded as the most important center in the state of Kerala for coir industry because most of thecoir factories of the state are sited in this district. Though the district is industrially backward, some traditional industries based on coir and coir products, marine products, handlooms, different types of handicrafts, toddy tapping, etc.have been dominating the scene from the very early times. The district is known as the traditional home of coir industry in Kerala.The easy availability of of raw materials and existence of backwaters and canals suitable for the wetting of green husk and accessibility of transportation are the main factors for the development of this industry. Arabs had carried on trade in coir products from very ancient times. Coir is the most important commodity manufactured in Alappuzha, Kayamkulam, Kakkothamangalam, Komalapuram, Mannancherry, Muhamma and Cherthalai . Lime shell in Arookutty and Kodamthuruthu, Plywood in Chengannur, Keltron controls in Aroor, Potassium Chloride in Mavelikkara and coconut in Thanneermukkom are also worth mentioning and figure in the industrial map of Alappuzha. The other important commodities manufactured in these towns are copra, coconut oil ,glass, mats, marine food and matches.
It is during the months of August and September that the moist, rain-drenched earth and the glorious everflowing backwaters burst into a song together, as over a hundred thousand men and women gather on the banks to witness a spectacular water regatta - the SNAKE BOAT RACES. Boat race crew begin to practice for the race months before the great day. They live together, eat together, toil together to work themselves into a smooth, co-ordinated team. The most famous of these is the NEHRU TROPHY BOAT RACE on the Second Saturday of August every year. Champakulam, Kavalam, Karichal, Jawahar Thayangari, Kallooparamban, Pacha, Pulincunnu, Nedubhagam, Cheruthana, Kandangari and Paippad are the chief competitors for the trophies. Other Boat races are Tourism Boat Race: Connected with Great Elephant March- 11th January, Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race: Pulimkunnu- August Last Saturday , Champakulam Boat Race: Connected with the Asterism "Moolam" of Midhunam, a malayalam month- June-July, Neerattupuram Boat Race: Conducted during Onam days- August Sep., Kettukazhcha: Chettikulangara- February-March, 'Kettukazhcha' is very famous and it is a procession of tall decorated structures in chariots in which effigies of horses, bullocks are displayed.
Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerela as one of the major centers for backwater boat trips. Alappuzha is now the hub for backwater tourism in Kerala. House boats locally called "Kettuvallam" are available on hire on a daily basis as well as for longer durations to take visitors on the old waterways. These house boats in general have 2 bedrooms and attached bathrooms. Some of the boats have the bedrooms fitted with air conditioners. A routine trip includes food cooked on board in the traditional Kuttanad style. Alappuzha beach is one of the most popular spots in the district of Alappuzha. Its beautiful garden on the shore gives an exclusive sight. Pathiramanal is a small captivating island in the Vembanad Lake. Situated between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, this island is the favourite spot for hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world.
Arthunkal church and Edathuva church are famous christian worship centres in the district. The famous Chettikulangara temple is at Mavelikkara in Alappuzha district. The famous Chettikulangara temple is at Mavelikkara in Alappuzha district. Mullackal Rajarajeswari temple, Alappuzha, Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple Haripad, Sree Krishna temple , Ambalappuzha are thetemples inthis district.
Alappuzha