Alappuzha

Alappuzha is also known as the "Venice of the East" because of its surrounding waterways and canals. Alappuzha formerly known as Alleppey, is famous for the annual Nehru Trophy Snake Boat race held every year, around the festival of Onam. Large Snake boats called" Chundanvalloms" propelled by teams of rowers compete for the trophy instituted by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minster of India. Many tourists come to Alappuzha to see this exciting event. Alappuzha is famous for the beautiful backwaters surrounding it. The backwaters with water birds and flowers and greenery along their banks are a beautiful and refreshing sight. Many Kerala Backwater cruises begin or end in Alappuzha. An important place in Alappuzha, Kuttanad which is called the rice bowl of Kerala, because of her wealth of paddy crops is at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of bananas, yams and cassavas. Alappuzha is also known worldwide as a center of the coir industry. Coir is made from the rough outer husk of the coconut which is immersed in water for days together. Pathiramanal is a small island located 14 kms on the backwaters of Alappuzha is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. This island is accessible only by boat.