Places To Visit In Alleppey Sightseeing

The iconic Alleppey beach is the perfect place to relax on a quiet and subtle evening. The waters of the Arabian Sea look majestic from the white sandy shores. If lucky, one can also view the dolphins from the beach. Nevertheless, the waters are not safe for swimming due to the strong currents especially during the monsoons.

Karumadikuttan refers to the local name for the 9th century black granite statue of Buddha found abandoned at a nearby stream called Karumady thodu. The Statue is unfortunately missing its entire left half but has now been conserved by the Kerala State Government.

Located almost 11 kilometers from Alleppey, Marari Beach is famous for its Ayurvedic centers and stylish beach resorts. The Shoreline is covered with long rows of coconut trees and is a great place to tie a hammock and spend the afternoon beside the clean and calm waters.

Alleppey the moniker ‘The Venice of the East’, Kerala backwater canals attract thousands of tourists to Alleppey each year. The snake boat races and the houseboat cruises are a must do activity in Alleppey. Owing to its rich bird and marine life, the backwaters are the best place to try some extravagant seafood.

The longest Lake in India and the largest lake in Kerala, the Vembanad Lake is known by the name Punnamada Lake in Alleppey. The lake covers an area of 2033.02 sq km, making the largest wetland system in India. The lake enjoys rich biodiversity and is home to several marine, bird and animal species. The lake is also home to the annual snake boat racing which must be witnessed.

Located amidst lush green surroundings, the Mannarasala Temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Nagaraja. While the origins of the temple are shrouded with Hindu legends, it is one of the major pilgrim spots with a typical Kerala temple architecture. The amazing architecture and the 30,000 images of various mythical snakes, makes it a must visit spot.

Dedicated to Goddess Rajarajeswari a form of the Hindu deity Shakti, the Mullakkal Bhagavathy Temple is built in a style that distinguishes it from the other temples in Kerala. The roof is absent over the image of the deity and it also contains an elephant house. The temple is a unique architectural marvel which must be visited.

The iconic Travancore style castle, The Krishnapuram Palace was built by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma in the 18th century. Today the palace is a major tourist attraction and also contains a small museum maintained by the Archeological department of Kerala. Do visit for witnessing the breathtaking Kerala style architecture and several antiquities from the Travancore era.

One of the islands located in the Vembanad Lake, Pallipuram is a small village known for its white sand. It is just your kind of place, if you are looking for a very offbeat location within the Alappuzha district.

Kuttanad is famous for its large paddy fields in Alleppey, Kerala. There is no evidence for its history but according to a legend the place was once a wild forest which was burnt and the black logs of the remaining trees are the reason behind the origination of paddy fields. The paddy fields were known as 'Karinilam' (Black paddy fields) until the recent past. Known as the "Rice Bowl of Kerala', it has vibrant paddy fields interacting with the enchanting backwaters. Kuttanad has its own varied socio-political culture. The place is best for exploring the rusting and age-old culture of Kerala.

Chettikulangara Devi Temple is the most renowned Hindu temple in Kerala. The followers of the main deity Sree Bhadarakali visit the temple. The Goddess is worshipped in 3 different forms: Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali or Durga. It is treated as a religious-cultural icon. It is believed that the temple is 1200 years old. The temple gives mental peace to its visitors.It has a unique feature. In the morning the Goddess appears to be Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi in the noon and Sree Durga or Maha Kaali in the evening. Devotees visit the temple so that their wishes come true. The temple is a host to different festivals every year.

At a distance of 14 Kms from Alappuzha Railway Station, Sri Krishna Temple located in Ambalapuzha is an ancient temple built in 8th century AD. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Kerala and also one of top tourist places in Kerala. Built in typical Kerala style of temple architecture, this temple is famous for Pala Payasam (sweet pudding made of rice and milk) served to the devotees. The idol here is found with a Whip in the right hand and a Shankhu in the left. It is believed that Kunjan Nambiar was the artist who gave birth to the unique art form of this temple.

At a distance of 23 Kms from Alappuzha Railway Station, Arthunkal Church, also known as St. Andrew's Forane Church is one of the oldest churches in Kerala. It is situated on the shores of Arabian Sea Dedicated to St.Sebastian, this church comes under the Latin order. The Arthunkal Feast is celebrated for 11days. The highlights of the concluding day of the festival include a special ritual in which the devotees crawl on their knees all the way from the nearby beach to the church.