Officially called Alappuzha, Alleppey is a city in the South Indian state of Kerala. Bordering the Laccadive Sea, it is known for its wide network of interlinking, palm-fringed canals called backwaters and rejuvenating Ayurvedic resorts. Allepey is also popular for […]
Officially called Alappuzha, Alleppey is a city in the South Indian state of Kerala. Bordering the Laccadive Sea, it is known for its wide network of interlinking, palm-fringed canals called backwaters and rejuvenating Ayurvedic resorts.
Allepey is also popular for its Houseboat cruises that pass through the serene backwaters, where you can catch glimpses of green paddy fields, choir making activities, beautiful avifauna and witness the life of locals in Kerala. Towards the shore lies the Alleppey beach in the Arabian Sea, a beautiful example of the gems you’d find along the Malabar Coast. The appeal of this beach is only amplified by the history attached to it, and a walk down the 137-year old pier is a must. Be sure to catch a traditional snake boat race in the months of August and September and try out some toddy (palm wine) at a local toddy shop for adding a touch of authenticity to your travel experience in Allepey.
More on Alleppey
Venice of the East
One of the cleanest and the oldest planned towns in India, Alleppey is a picturesque coastal delight, with backwaters, lagoons, canals, beaches festooning the city like nothing else. No wonder why Alleppey was nicknamed ‘Venice of the East’, ironically by the most notorious Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon. Besides this, Alleppey is extremely famous for its snake boat races, which occur in the monsoon season. Alleppey’s backwaters are the most popular destination in Kerala. Other places of interest in Alleppey are Alleppey Beach, which offers a breathtaking view of Laccadive Sea, Krishnapuram Palace, St. Andrew’s Basilica, and Haripada Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple.
History of Alleppey
Alleppey’s history can be traced back to as early as the 1st century AD — when St Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, arrived here and introduced Christianity in South India. The foothold of the Christian religion was further strengthened by the Portuguese and the Dutch forces who arrived many centuries later and established their dominance in this region. The famous St. Andrews Basilica was constructed by the Portuguese in around the 17th century. Alleppey was also under the political influence of Maharaja Marthanda Varma, who is known as the ‘Maker of modern Travancore’. The town played a critical role in the independence struggle of the country, birthing revolts against the feudal British Raj. The famous Communist uprising – Punnapra Vayalur took place here, where more than a 1000 people lost their lives during the struggle period.
Paddy Cultivation in Backwaters
The backwaters of Alleppey is home to Kuttanad, often called The Rice Bowl of Kerala. Traversing through a houseboat in this region offers a beautiful green kaleidoscope of rich paddy fields, interspersed with coconut trees. The paddy is cultivated on huge areas of reclaimed land from the Vembanad lake. The reclamation took place over three phases, starting from 1865 to 1940. These reclaimed areas are called Padsekharam. Initially, the reclaiming was done manually with water wheels, and later with steam engines. The paddy fields are drained by 4 major rivers – Pampa, Meenachil, Achankovil and Manimala. Speculations have claimed that it is the only area in the world where farming is done up to 2 meters below sea level.
Restaurants and Local Food in Alleppey
Alleppey’s cuisine has a number of must haves. Your taste buds haven’t experienced Allepey if you haven’t tried the Ghee Roast Dosa and Malayalee Parotha . While Appams and Idlis form the essentials, you can also try “Toddy” which is a locally fermented alcohol beverage made from palm tree and coconut palms. Rice wine can be also tried in Alleppey.
