| Alappuzha
150
km from Thiruvananthapuram & 66 km from Kochi. Often
called as the "Venice of the East" & situated
o the Vembanad Lake, the longest in India, the commercial
center of Alappuzha lives in amaze of canals. Set in
the labyrinth of backwater channels, the town is one
of the best starting points to explore the unspoiled
country side of Kerala.
Also known as Alleppey, this is the center for backwater
cruises in Kerala. The nearest airport is at Kochi.
Alappuzha is connected to Kochi by rail. It is connected
by road with important centers of south India. There
are frequent buses from Kochi. Pathiramanal,
in Vembanad lake is a small island, which ca e reached
by boat. Ambalapuzha
14 km from Alappuzha, the shree krishna temple here
is one of the most important inn Kerala. Its main festival
is celebrated during march/April. Arthunkal
a important pilgrim center for Christians is known for
the famous St. Andrews Church established by Portuguese
in 1951 A.D. Chettikulangara
Bhagavathy Temple is supposed to possess
miraculous powers. Krishnapuram
Palace is situated at kanyamkulam 47
km from Alappuzha on the way to Kollam. Karumadikkuttan
at karumadi, 3 km east of Ambalapuzha, is a statue
of Buddha called Karumadikkutta.
Mannarsala 32
km from Alappuzha, near Haripad, is one of the most
important centers of serpent worship in Kerala. On the
day of Ayilyam (Sept/Oct) thousands of people assemble
to worship & propitiate the serpent god. The office
of the Alappuzha Tourism Development Co-operative Society
is at Boat jetty, close to the central bus stand. This
society arranges on request, interesting backwater cruises
from Alappuzha. The society also offers boat cruises
to Kollam. It also operates a cruises from Kollam to
Alappuzha.
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