Alleppey

Alleppey or Alappuzha is a town in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. It is a landmark between the Arabian Sea and the set of rivers that flow into it. It is one of the largest cities of Kerala and is the oldest planned town of the state. Alleppey is a beautiful town with backwaters, canals, lagoons and beaches. The beauty of the town is so fascinating that Lord Curzon called it 'the Venice of the East'. With the backwaters as the most important feature of the town, it is an important tourist destination in the state. It comprises many places of interests. For tourists, the boat rides in Alleppey give a hands-on experience of the place and the activities practiced in the city like fishing, toddy tapping, prawn farming and coir making. Alleppey Beach is the most popular beach in the town and is known for its scenic beauty. There is a beautiful garden and an ancient lighthouse at its sea shore.

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.

Famous for the backwaters in Kerala, the city of Alleppey is also known for its beaches, temples, boat races and Ayurvedic spa and wellness centers. Dotting the coastline of the Arabian Sea, Alleppey (also known as Alappuzha) is the oldest planned backwater town of Kerala. This place is famous for its numerous rivers crisscrossing the Sea and is home to many canals, backwaters, beaches and lagoons. Alleppey is often referred to as the Venice of India. The backwaters coupled with houseboats an