Alappuzha, charming and picturesque, is today an universally acclaimed backwater destination. Eclipsed by the stunning backwaters, glazing in shades of blue and green, with palm fringed shores and the lush green paddy fields, Alappuzha is a surely a jewel in the crown of God’s Own Country. The name Alappuzha (anglicized version was Alleppey) means the land between the sea and network of rivers flowing into it. It was once ranked among the wealthiest ports along the Malabar Coast and all its produce was shipped from the backwaters. With its trading history and interconnecting maze of canals, its referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’. It lies sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the Punnamada backwaters on Kerala's southern coast, roughly midway between Kollam (85 kms south) and Kochi (64 kms north). The district is bounded on the north by Kochi and Kanayannur taluks of Ernakulam district, on the east by Vaikom, Kottayam and Changanassery taluks of Kottayam district and Thiruvalla, Kozhencherry and Adoor taluks of Pathanamthitta district, on the South by Kunnathur and Karunagappally taluks of Kollam district and on the west by Lakshadweep sea. The intricate network of canals is the lifeline of Alappuzha; the lagoons add to its beauty, the sea is the enduring motif with ample catch for the fisher folk and also dangerous as the waves get rough. The Malayali writer Thakazhi Sivasankaran Pillai in his novel ‘Chemmeen’ immortalised the enduring motif of the sea that it can bless and also take everything away.Water carnivals and the regatta of snake boat races is another unique and resplendent aspect of Alappuzha. The coir industry and coir products of Alappuzha have gained international repute. This district is also notable for its numerous pilgrimage centres that draw vast crowds on the festival days and also boasts of having some of the best ayurvedic rejuvenation centres in Kerala Today, it’s the houseboat cruises that are the major attraction of this exotic backwater destination.

Alappuzha, charming and picturesque, is today an universally acclaimed backwater destination. Eclipsed by the stunning backwaters, glazing in shades of blue and green, with palm fringed shores and the lush green paddy fields, Alappuzha is a surely a jewel in the crown of God’s Own Country. The name Alappuzha (anglicized version was Alleppey) means the land between the sea and network of rivers flowing into it. It was once ranked among the wealthiest ports along the Malabar Coast and all its produce was shipped from the backwaters. With its trading history and interconnecting maze of canals, its referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’. It lies sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the Punnamada backwaters on Kerala's southern coast, roughly midway between Kollam (85 kms south) and Kochi (64 kms north). The district is bounded on the north by Kochi and Kanayannur taluks of Ernakulam district, on the east by Vaikom, Kottayam and Changanassery taluks of Kottayam district and Thiruvalla, Kozhencherry and Adoor taluks of Pathanamthitta district, on the South by Kunnathur and Karunagappally taluks of Kollam district and on the west by Lakshadweep sea. The intricate network of canals is the lifeline of Alappuzha; the lagoons add to its beauty, the sea is the enduring motif with ample catch for the fisher folk and also dangerous as the waves get rough. The Malayali writer Thakazhi Sivasankaran Pillai in his novel ‘Chemmeen’ immortalised the enduring motif of the sea that it can bless and also take everything away.Water carnivals and the regatta of snake boat races is another unique and resplendent aspect of Alappuzha. The coir industry and coir products of Alappuzha have gained international repute. This district is also notable for its numerous pilgrimage centres that draw vast crowds on the festival days and also boasts of having some of the best ayurvedic rejuvenation centres in Kerala Today, it’s the houseboat cruises that are the major attraction of this exotic backwater destination.