My Alappuzha: Tourist Attractions

Alappuzha Beach

Light House and 140 yr Old Pier in Alappuzha Beach

Alappuzha beach is one of the most popular spots in the district of Alappuzha. Its beautiful garden on the shore gives an exclusive sight. Imposing buildings of a colonial past overlook the shore. The pier, which extends into the sea is more than 140 years old and is a rare sight. Dense Palm groves at one end and an ancient towering light house at the other, Vijay Park and Sea view park are all spectacular sights one should never miss. Boating Facility is available in both Parks.

Boat Races

Alappuzha district is proud of being the cradle of boat races. All the important boat races, namely the Nehru Trophy boat Race at Punnamada, the Payippad near Haripad, the Thiruvandoor, Neerettupuram, Karuvatta and Thaikkoottam boat races are held at different parts of the district during August-September . Thousands of people from all parts of the world come and witness these races.

This was started in 1952 when India's first Prime Minister, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, visited Alappuzha, and inaugurated the function in which the gigantic snake boats with over 100 rowers in each raced one another.

Karumadi Kuttan

          Karumadi Kuttan is a statue of Buddha made from granite.
              The statue is unique since it is half broken. Legend has it that an elephant charged towards this statue and broke right half of the statue. From the appearance of the statue, the legend does seem to be true.
              Proper road facility was made to the site after the visit of Sri. Dalai Lahma during 1970. Now the site is sunder the control of Archeological department. Our ancisstors had told us that, there was no building or covering at that time, and this idol was sitting on the open ground nearly 100 years ago. People and animals used to cross through the karumady river just front of this idol, and one elephant going for Thakazhi temple festival, happend get annoyed and charged at the idol, loosing its left hand portion. Later on the tomb was built and further during 1962 the main bridge connecting Thakazhy and Ambalapuzha came in to being.

Mannarasala Temple

                                    A very famous and ancient temple in Kerala devoted to serpent gods or Nagaraja. Mannarasala is the largest and the most famous of the snake temples in India.
Mannarasala temple is located near Haripad Subramanyaswamy temple, 33km from Alleppey and 125km from Trivandrum. The most popular offering of this temple is ‘Uruli Kamazhthal’, which is believed get fertility to childless couples.

Arthungal Church

Arthungal Church

Arthungal Church which is known as St. Andrew's Forane Church is one of the most sacred churches in Kerala. Arthungal Church attracts a lots of devotees both Christians and non-Christians every year from all parts of the State. The feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated for eleven days in a year with all its glory. The church authorities also instituted another minor feast on the 8th day after the principal feast known as Ettamperunnal. Of late this feast (Ettamperunnal) also has attained as much importance as the principal feast.
The devotees who flock to this church for worship mainly consists of those who have recovered from serious illness and the other who have escaped grave accidents. Those who have received special favors from the Saint Andrew show their gratitude by crawling on their knees from the local beach of the church. They also make offerings such as Gold and Silver replicas of human limbs, bows and arrows etc. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims who return from the Sabarimala Temple throng to this sacred place, take bath from the tank attached to the church and pay their homage to the Saint.