Kerala - Picture Gallery
It is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha
District. Though the present town owes its existence to the
sagacious Diwan Raja Kesavadas in the second half of 18th century,
district of Alappuzha figures in classical Literature. Kuttanad,
the rice bowl of Kerala with the unending stretch of paddy fields,
small streams and canals with lush green coconut palms, was well
known even from the early periods of the Sangam age.
History says Alappuzha had trade
relations with ancient Greece and Rome in Antiquity
and in the Middle Ages, as well as with other parts
of India. The famous Chettikulangara temple is at
Mavelikkara in Alappuzha district.
Alappuzha is bordered by Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts
on east, Kollam district on south, Ernakulam district on north
and the Arabian Sea on west.
Alleppey Coastal Plains are formed of Quaternary sediments. A
series of dunes and ridges marking the repeated regressional and
transgressional events characterize this coastal plain. Soil of
the area belongs to the great group of Tropopsamments -
Tropofluvents, commonly called Coastal Alluvium. Alappuzha 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.
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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.Soon after Alappuzha was developed as a port by
the Diwan Raja Kesavadas, the town started functioning as the
main commercial centre of the state of Travancore. Export
flourished from the port. Spices like pepper were the main
export items.The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alappuzha
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. Thachil Matthoo
Tharakan, a close confidante of the Diwan, pioneered the export
of timber. |
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Domestic trade was also active. Many traders from Gujarat came
and settled down here to do trading, leading to the presence
even now of a Gujarati community in the town. Alappuzha is a
centre for coir industries. Later coir (different kinds of rope
made from coconut fibre) became a major product of the town,
both for local and world markets.with passengers from all walks
of Kerala's rural life ranging from milkman and newspaper boy to
local politicians, priests and wedding parties. It is a unique
experience as this is as close as one can get to feel the
vibrant life in the countryside of god's own country
Public Transport Boat service in Kerala Alappuzha is now the hub
for backwater tourism in Kerala. House boats locally called "Kettuvallam"
are available on hire on a daily basis as well as for longer
durations to take visitors on the old waterways. |
