Nearest Destinations

Alappuzha

 Alleppey is one of the most important tourist centers in the state, swith 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.
The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alleppey give one first hand experience of the life style; toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, Coir-making, prawn farming etc., which remains more or less unchanged over the years

Ambalapuzha Temple

Constructed in the typical Kerala architectural style, this temple is famous all over India, and is renowned for the Palpayasam, the daily offering of sweet milk porridge. This temple witnesses the performance of Pallipana by Velans (sorcerers) once every twelve years. Paintings of the Dasavatharam (the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) are displayed on the inner walls of the temple. The ‘ Ottanthullal’, a satiric art form based on social themes was the brain child of the poet Kunchan Nambiar who performed it for the first time in the premises of this temple.

Punnapra

Punnapra, a village which has gone down in history as the scene of a bitter and heroic fighting between the communists and Travancore State Police during the Punnapra Vayalar Communist uprising of 1946.

Thottappalley BackWater

A highly favored and frequently requested tourist attraction is a night cruise from Alleppey to Thrikkunnapuzha through . The trip down the tranquil backwaters of Kerala against the sparkling night sky of this part of South India certainly proves to be an invitation to a memorable trip for a lifetime.

The splendors of Kerala enroute enthrall tourists to the brim and make them want to come back again and again. To begin with, the boat sails past the legendary Punnamada Lake, which is very famous as the venue of the regional Nehru Trophy snake boat race. Ahead in the journey, tourists feast their eyes with the charming view of traditional wooden houses on the banks and relish a visit to the ancestral home of the sacred “Kuriakose Elias Chavara”, called “Chavara Bhavan”.  The house is of historical importance and preserves a 250 year old beacon of light in tact.            

Shortly follows the opportunity to visit the ancient Ambalappuzha temple,Kumarakodi,the finel resting point of gerat malayalam poet Kumaranasan and a church more than 400 years old at Champakkulam. The church is one of the oldest churches established by St. Thomas. The granite image of Lord Buddha belonging to the 11th century that follows afterwards is a universally attractive sightseeing prospect.

Not to mention, the beautiful water birds along the way and the serenity of it all is mesmerizing and captivates its tourist’s imagination forever.

Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple

Mannarasala Temple is devoted to serpent worship. It is located near Harippad,7km north west of thrikkunnapuzha. In this temple, the rites are presided over by a priestess. The temple covers an area of 16 acres of dense green forest grove. The two main idols are Nagaraja or the serpent king and his consort, Sarpayakshini. The most popular offering of this temple is ‘Uruli Kamazhthal’, the placing of a bell metal vessel upside down in front of the deity, which is believed to restore fertility to childless couples.

The temple is reputed for having 30,000 images of snake-gods. On the day of Ayilyam, in the months of September and October, all the serpent idols in the grove and the temple are taken in procession to the illam (the house of the priestess connected with the temple) where Noorum Palum, and ‘Kuruthi’, a red liquid made of turmeric and lime, offerings are made

Harippad Subrahmanya Swamy Temple

This is the oldest and most important of all Subrahmanya temples in Kerala. One of the most prestigious centres of pilgrimage in South India. And an evidence of the excellence of Southern architecture. Subrahmanya Swamy temple is situated at haripad. The image of the deity with four arms is also the biggest of the kind. It is believed to have been originally worshipped by Parashurama.In 1921 A.D a fire destroyed the temple. It was rebuilt with the anakottil (elephants hed), kuttambalam, a big tank etc.    

Several annual festivals are celebrated in this temple the Avani Utsavam in Chingom (August- September), Markazhi Utsavam in Dhanu (November- December), Chitra Utsavam in Medom (April-May), Kartika in Vrischikam (November- December) and Taipuyam (January- February). Kavadiyattam dance with Kavadi is the most important offering here. Kavadi is a bow-shaped wooden structure decorated with tapestry and peacock feathers carried on the shoulders of pilgrims as an offering to God Subrahmanya.
 

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