Snake boat races are the most significant traditional event in Alleppey. These
regattas are usually held between August and October, and involve long thin boats powered by up to 120 oarsmen. One such snake boat race is the
Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
Chemmeen was filmed in two villages in Alappuzha. In the opening credits, a written statement in
Malayalam thanks the people of both villages.
Tourism bridge The name Alappuzha is derived from
Aal (
Sea)+
puzha (
River-mouth) ("The joining place of a river and the sea") (
Malayalam). Alappuzha is one of the most important tourist centres in the state, with a large network of inland canals, earning it the
sobriquet "Venice of the East". These large networks of canals are Alleppey's lifeline. Alappuzha 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 center for the
Coir carpet industry and
prawn farming. Alappuzha, the ideal headquarters for backwater tourism, as well as for visits to the church-filled town of
Kottayam and the town of
Aranmula, which are known for their historic annual Aranmula Snake Boat Race.
Chengannur, in Alappuzha, is the nearest railway station to
Sabarimala. The
Krishnapuram Palace is in
Kayamkulam. The
Buddha idol and Saradha Mandiram are the main attractions of
Mavelikkara. The Buddha statue is in a seated posture, resembling
Padmasana. A feature common to the idols is that hair has not been engraved on the head. Studies by the archaeology department have not been able to explain the absence of hair, which is common to Buddha statues of the Gandhara and Mathura traditions. The head has markings resembling headgear. Although the department has made a
pagoda-like structure for the statue, no information on the idol is available to tourists who visit the area. Local people in the area light lamps before the idol. The idol at Mavelikara is high and is perhaps the biggest. The engravings on the head resemble a helmet of Greek statues. The mark of a sacred thread is visible on the body. Another feature is the marking of a
shawl on one shoulder. Here the archaeological department has put up a sign specifying the age of the statue. Saradha Mandiram was the residence of
Kerala Panini. Alappuzha is also known for its 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, which was 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 Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum features displays of art and artifacts.
Revi Karunakaran was the architect of a modernized
Coir industry that still employs more than 500,000 people in the state of Kerala. The objects displayed at the Museum were collected by his family over three generations and feature unique artistic pieces from all parts of the world.
Alappuzha, the district headquarters, is a town with picturesque
canals,
backwaters and
lagoons, was described as the "Venice of the East" by
Lord Curzon.
Festivals Chettikulangara Bharani is the most important festival in Alappuzha district. The festival is one among the important temple festivals of Kerala. A Chettikulagara Bhagavathi Temple, a temple dedicated to the Goddess
Bhagavathi is about four kilometers from
Mavelikkara and six kilometers from
kayamkulam. The festival occurs on the Bharani
asterism in February/March. The main rituals of the festival are the 'Kuthiyottam' and 'Kettukazcha'. The 'Kuthiyottam' features a procession of young boys who have observed rigorous ritual penance. Traditional drums, music and glittering ornamental parasols accompany this procession of boys who dance in a trance. The
St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal &
St. Thomas Church, Thumpoly in Alappuzha District is noted for the annual feast, popularly known as Arthunkal Perunnal, Thumpoly Perunnal (perunnal means feast). The feast is held in December & January every year. 'Chirappu Mahotsavam' is an important occasion at
Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple in December. Christmas comes in between the festival and Alappuzha town is a really happening place at the time. The streets are full of wandering markets and entertainment ventures like circuses and exhibitions. The streets are crowded throughout the month and there is a 'Shiveli' or the magnificent display of nine Tuskers accompanied by the 'Chenda' and the 'Panchavadyam' music.
Padanilam Sivarathri is another important religious event in Alappuzha district. This festival is held every year in the
Padanilam Parabrahma Temple. The temple is situated in the small town of
Padanilam. Padanilam is situated 'about 16 km from
Mavelikkara town. Sivarathri A grand annual festival is celebrated at the unique Nagaraja Temple (
Mannarasala Temple, Vettikodu Nagaraja Temple) in October/November. Another festival celebrated by the temple is a one-day Thaipooyan
Kavadi. The Chandanakudam is celebrated at the Kidangam-Parampu Temple during December every year. Kottamkulangara Temple in Alappuzha has two festive seasons in February and March, because of the two deities with separate flag masts in the same compound wall. The Kandamangalam Rajarajeshwari Temple is located in Kadakkarappally, Cherthala 1 km west of Thankey junction on NH 47. The annual festival comes in March–April. Chikkara, offering of children to the mother goddess during the festival, is the major attraction. The Chamanju Valathu of children starts on the 2nd day of the festival and lasts until the 8th day. Procession named
Thalappoli start on the flag-hoisting day itself. The holy bath (Aarattu) of the goddess is held in a pool within the temple compound on the 10th day of festival.
Elephant processions,
fireworks, stage shows, etc. are major events that attract thousands of devotees and others. The churches here celebrate grand annual feasts. The 'Arthunkal Perunnal' feast is celebrated at the Arthunkal Church. Also, the big major Christian feast are the feast's at Edathwa(Edathua) Church and Thumpoli Church Alappuzha, Pallipuram church cherthala. The
regatta forms part of many festivals here in many places. The annual
Vallam Kali (
Nehru Trophy Boat Race) is held in the
backwaters in the month of September associated with the
Onam festival. The main attraction is the
Chundan Vallam (Snake Boat) race, in which a number of contestants are in the running for the Prime Minister's trophy. Another celebration in Alappuzha is the "Beach Festival", held from 30 December to 2 January. The annual festival conducted in Champakulam "Valiya Palli" is another big festival. ==Education==