Alappuzha or Alleppey () is the administrative headquarters of
Alappuzha district in
state
State may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Literature
* ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State
* ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States
* ''Our S ...
of
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
,
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
. The
Backwaters of Alappuzha are one of the most popular tourist attractions in India which attracts millions of domestic and international tourists.
Alleppey is a city and a municipality in Kerala with an urban population of 174,164 and ranks third among the districts in literacy rate in the state. In 2016, the
Centre for Science and Environment
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is a not-for-profit public interest research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi, India. Established in 1980, CSE works as a think tank on environment-development issues in India, poor planning, ...
rated Alappuzha as the cleanest town in India. Alappuzha is considered to be the oldest planned city in this region and the lighthouse built on the coast of the city is the first of its kind along the
Laccadive Sea
The Laccadive Sea or Lakshadweep Sea is a body of water bordering India (including its Lakshadweep islands), the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. It is located to the southwest of Karnataka, to the west of Kerala and to the south of Tamil Nadu. This war ...
coast.
The city is 55 km from
Kochi
Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...
and 155 km north of
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram (; ), also known by its former name Trivandrum (), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the most populous city in Kerala with a population of 957,730 as of 2011. The encompassing urban agglomeration populati ...
. A town with
canal
Canals or artificial waterways are waterways or engineered channels built for drainage management (e.g. flood control and irrigation) or for conveyancing water transport vehicles (e.g. water taxi). They carry free, calm surface flow un ...
s,
backwaters,
beaches
A beach is a landform alongside a body of water which consists of loose particles. The particles composing a beach are typically made from rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, etc., or biological sources, such as mollusc shel ...
, and
lagoon
A lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water by a narrow landform, such as reefs, barrier islands, barrier peninsulas, or isthmuses. Lagoons are commonly divided into ''coastal lagoons'' (or ''barrier lagoons'') a ...
s, Alappuzha was described by
George Curzon, Viceroy of India at the start of the 20th century, as the "
Venice of the East
The following is an incomplete list of places which have been nicknamed Venice of the East.
List
See also
* Venezuela, country whose name means "Little Venice"
* Venice of the North
* Little Venice
Little Venice is a district in West Lon ...
." Hence, it is known as the "Venetian Capital" of Kerala.
It is an important tourist destination in India. It connects
Kumarakom
Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam (), in Kerala, India, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake, the largest lake in the state of Kerala.
History
Kuma ...
and Cochin to the North and
Kollam
Kollam (), also known by its former name Quilon , is an ancient seaport and city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The city i ...
to the South. It is also the access point for the annual
Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held on the
Punnamada Lake, near Alappuzha, on the second Saturday of August every year. This is amongst the most popular and competitive boat races in India.
Alappuzha was home to the
Punnapra-Vayalar uprising
The Punnapra-Vayalar killings (October 1946) was a militant communist movement in the Princely State of Travancore, British India against the Prime Minister, C. P. Ramaswami Iyer and the state.Manorama Yearbook 2011, ISSN 0970-9096
Historians ...
against the Separate American Model independent Travancore proposal and also the revolt against the Feudal raj. Over 200
Communist party
A communist party is a political party that seeks to realize the socio-economic goals of communism. The term ''communist party'' was popularized by the title of ''The Manifesto of the Communist Party'' (1848) by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. A ...
members were killed by the army of the Diwan at
Punnapra
Punnapra is a village in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. It is a coastal area of the Arabian Sea and lies west to Kuttanad, popularly known as ''The rice bowl of Kerala''.
Local Governance
Punnapra is divided into 2 panchayats:
*Punnapr ...
.
Coir
Coir (), also called coconut fibre, is a natural fibre extracted from the outer husk of coconut and used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes, and mattresses. Coir is the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell ...
is the most important commodity manufactured in Alappuzha. The Coir Board was established by the Central Government under the provisions of the Coir Industry Act, 1955. A Central Coir Research Institute is located at
Kalavoor
Kalavoor is a village located in National Highway 66 at Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.
Location
Kalavoor is to the north of Alappuzha city and to the South of Cochin. National Highway 66, passes through Kalavoor.
Trans ...
.
Etymology
![Coco Boat Allapphy Kerala](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Coco_Boat_Allapphy_Kerala.JPG)
Carved out of the erstwhile
Kottayam
Kottayam () is a municipal town in the Indian state of Kerala. Flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west. It is the district headquarters of Kottayam district, located in south-we ...
and
Kollam
Kollam (), also known by its former name Quilon , is an ancient seaport and city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The city i ...
districts, Alappuzha district was formed on 17 August 1957 and consisted initially of seven
taluk
A tehsil (, also known as tahsil, taluka, or taluk) is a local unit of administrative division in some countries of South Asia. It is a subdistrict of the area within a district including the designated populated place that serves as its administr ...
s, namely
Cherthala
Cherthala, , (formerly Shertalai, Shertallai or Shertallay) is a Municipal town and a Taluk located at National highway 66 in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. Cherthala is the satellite town and industrial hub of Ala ...
,
Ambalappuzha
Ambalappuzha is a small town in the Alappuzha district of Kerala state, India. It is located south of Alappuzha which is the district headquarters.
Ambalappuzha is divided into the two panchayats of Ambalapuzha North and Ambalapuzha South.
...
,
Kuttanad
Kuttanad ( ml, കുട്ടനാട്) is a region covering the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lo ...
,
Chengannur
Chengannur (also spelled Chengannoor or Chenganur) is a Municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala State, India. It is located in the extreme eastern part of the Alappuzha district, on the banks of Pamba River.
Chengannur is north of ...
,
Karthikappally
Karthikappally is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.Haripad is the headquarter of Karthikappally Taluk. Taluk office is located at revenue tower Haripad.
History
Karthikappally was once a Buddhist center. Since ...
and
Mavelikkara
Mavelikkara is a taluk and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Located in the southern part of the district on the banks of the Achankovil River.
Etymology
The name Mavelikara ...
.
The name Ᾱlappuzha is a toponym. ‘Ᾱlayam’ means ‘home’ and ‘puzha’, according to Dr. Herman Gundert's dictionary, means ‘watercourse’ or ‘river’. The name refers to the network of waterways and backwaters in Alappuzha and its surrounding areas. The district is bounded on the north by
Kochi
Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...
and Kanayannur taluks of
Ernakulam
Ernakulam () is the Central Business District of the city of Kochi in Kerala, India and has lent its name to the Ernakulam district. Many major establishments, including the Kerala High Court, the office of the Kochi Municipal Corporation a ...
district, on the east by
Vaikom
Vaikom, , is a municipal town and a capital town of Vaikom Taluk, situated in the northwest of Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India. The town is also noted for its role in the Indian independence movement for being the venue of Vaikom ...
, Kottayam and
Changanassery
Changanassery or Changanacherry is a municipal town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.
History
The first recorded history on the origin of Changanacherry is obtained from Sangam period literature. According to Sangam era d ...
taluks of Kottayam district and Thiruvalla and
Kozhencherry
Kozhencherry ( ml, കോഴഞ്ചേരി) is a census town in Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore region (South Central Kerala) in Kerala state, India. census, the population was 433,357 people in 92,825 households.
History
Ko ...
taluks of
Pathanamthitta
Pathanamthitta (), is a municipality situated in the Central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The town has a population of 37 ...
district, on the South by
Kunnathur and
Karunagappally
Karunagappally is a municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala, India. It is 24 km north of Kollam and south of Alappuzha. Karunagappally taluk consists of Alappad, Ochira, Adinad, Karunagappally, Thazhava, Pavumba, Thodiyoor, Kallal ...
taluks of
Kollam district
Kollam district (), (formerly Quilon district) is one of 14 districts of the state of Kerala, India. The district has a cross-section of Kerala's natural attributes; it is endowed with a long coastline, a major Laccadive Sea seaport and an in ...
and on the west by Laccadive Sea.
The present Alappuzha district comprises six taluks, namely Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad, Karthikappally, Chengannur and Mavelikkara. The area of the district is . Its headquarters is located at Alappuzha.
History
![Alleppey canal](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Alleppey_canal.jpg)
Kuttanad, the
rice bowl
The breadbasket of a country or of a region is an area which, because of the richness of the soil and/or advantageous climate, produces large quantities of wheat or other grain. Rice bowl is a similar term used to refer to Southeast Asia; and C ...
of Kerala, with its paddy fields, small streams and canals with lush green coconut palms, was well known even from the early periods of the
Sangam age
The Sangam period or age (, ), particularly referring to the third Sangam period, is the period of the history of ancient Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of Sri Lanka (then known as Tamilakam) spanning from c. 6th century BCE to c. 3rd century CE. ...
.
History says Alappuzha had trade relations with Greece and Rome in the
Middle Ages
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
.
The early
Cheras, who had their home in Kuttanad, were called `Kuttuvans`, so named after this place. Pliny and Ptolemy of the 1st and 2nd centuries had mentioned places like Purakkad or Barace in their classical works.
Literary works like "
Unnuneeli Sandesam
''Uli Sandam'' is among the oldest works in Malayalam language. It is a '' sandesa kavyam'' (message poem), a message written in poetry, on the lines of the famous ''Meghadūta'' of Kalidasa. In the case of this work, it is a message written by a ...
" give some insight into the ancient period of this district. Archaeological antiquities, such as the stone inscriptions, historical monuments found in the temples, churches, and rock-cut caves, also emphasise the historic importance of Alappuzha District. Christianity had a foothold in this district, even from the 1st century AD. The church located at
Kokkamangalam
Kokkamangalam also known as Gokkamangalam is a village in Alappuzha district of Kerala state, south India. It is situated in between Cochin and Kumarakom and on the western shore of Vembanad Lake, 5 km east of the town of Cherthala, which ...
was one of the seven churches founded by
St. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of
Jesus Christ
Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
. It is generally believed that he landed at
Maliankara
Maliankara is a village in Paravur Taluk, Ernakulam district of Kerala. It is located near Moothakunnam. It is also a boat ride away from Munambam and accessible by bridge to Pallipuram of Vypin island. Along with Munambam it forms the north-wes ...
in
Muziris
Muziris ( grc, Μουζιρίς, Old Malayalam: ''Muciri'' or ''Muciripattanam'' possibly identical with the medieval ''Muyirikode'') was an ancient harbour and an urban centre on the Malabar Coast. Muziris found mention in the ''Periplus of ...
Port, presently known as
Cranganore
Kodungallur (; also Cranganore, Portuguese: Cranganor; formerly known as Mahodayapuram, Shingly, Vanchi, Muchiri, Muyirikkode, and Muziris) is a historically significant town situated on the banks of river Periyar on the Malabar Coast in Thr ...
or
Kodungallur
Kodungallur (; also Cranganore, Portuguese: Cranganor; formerly known as Mahodayapuram, Shingly, Vanchi, Muchiri, Muyirikkode, and Muziris) is a historically significant town situated on the banks of river Periyar on the Malabar Coast in Thr ...
, in 52 AD and preached Christianity in
South India
South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the union territo ...
.
The district flourished in religion and culture under the second Chera Empire, during 9th to 12th centuries AD. The literary work, `Ascharya Choodamani`, a Sanskrit drama written by
Sakthibhadran
Sakthibhadran () was a Classical Sanskrit writer, who lived in ancient Kerala. He wrote '' Ascharyachoodamani'' (Devanāgarī: ), the first Sanskrit drama from South India. He may have been born in Kodumon a village in Adoor, Pathanamthitta, Ker ...
, a scholar of
Chengannur
Chengannur (also spelled Chengannoor or Chenganur) is a Municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala State, India. It is located in the extreme eastern part of the Alappuzha district, on the banks of Pamba River.
Chengannur is north of ...
, enables us to know many pertinent facts. Further, the temple on Lord
Ayyappan
Ayyappan an incarnation of dharma sastha, also called Manikandan, is a Hindu deity popular in Southern India, He is considered to be the epitome of dharma, truth, and righteousness and is often called upon to obliterate evil.
Although devotion t ...
, in Mukkal vattam near Muhamma in Alappuzha District, is called
Cheerappanchira
Cheerappanchira is a noble Ezhava tharavad renowned for its Kalari in Muhamma, Alappuzha District. Recently, the family Kalari was reopened and around 40 students are being trained in the martial art of Kalarippayattu. The former minister of K ...
, for the Kalari from which Lord Ayyappa learnt his martial arts. A recent album by
P. Unni Krishnan
Parakkal Unnikrishnan (born 9 July 1966) is an Indian Carnatic vocalist and playback singer.
Early life and background
Unnikrishnan was born to K. Radhakrishnan and Dr. Harini Radhakrishnan in Palakkad, Kerala.
The family home, Kesari Kutee ...
on Lord Ayyappa, titled 'Sabarimalai Va Charanam Solli Va', has songs illustrating the history of this temple and Lord Ayyappa's stay here before he went to conquer the Mahishi Demon.
Since landing in
Calicut
Kozhikode (), also known in English as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. It has a corporation limit population of 609,224 and a metropolitan population of more than 2 million, making it the second la ...
in 1498, the
Portuguese
Portuguese may refer to:
* anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal
** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods
** Portuguese language, a Romance language
*** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language
** Portu ...
started playing an influential role in Alappuzha. They began by spreading Catholicism and converting already existing
Christians
Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...
into Catholics. The famous
St. Andrew's Basilica was built by them during this period. In the 17th century, as the
Portuguese
Portuguese may refer to:
* anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal
** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods
** Portuguese language, a Romance language
*** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language
** Portu ...
power declined, the
Dutch
Dutch commonly refers to:
* Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands
* Dutch people ()
* Dutch language ()
Dutch may also refer to:
Places
* Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States
* Pennsylvania Dutch Country
People E ...
gained a predominant position in the principalities of this district. They built many factories and warehouses for storing
pepper
Pepper or peppers may refer to:
Food and spice
* Piperaceae or the pepper family, a large family of flowering plant
** Black pepper
* ''Capsicum'' or pepper, a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae
** Bell pepper
** Chili ...
and
ginger
Ginger (''Zingiber officinale'') is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice
A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant substance primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices ...
, relying on several treaties signed between the Dutch and the
Rajas
Rajas (Sanskrit: रजस्) is one of the three Guṇas (tendencies, qualities, attributes), a philosophical and psychological concept developed by the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy.James G. Lochtefeld, Rajas, in The Illustrated Encycloped ...
of
Purakkad
Purakkad is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the beach which is described in Thakazhi's novel "Chemeen".
History
There was an ancient port at Purakkad. Purakkad was known as ''Burkkare'' in ancient time. ...
,
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in Kerala. It is the second biggest town in Alappuzha district. It is located on the western coast of India, and was an ancient maritime trading center. O ...
and Karappuram. In course of time they also delved into the political and cultural affairs of the district. At that time Maharaja
Marthanda Varma
Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (Malayalam: ) was the founding monarch of the southern Indian Kingdom of Travancore (previously Venadu) from 1729 until his death in 1758. He was succeeded by Rama Varma ("Dharma Raja") (1758–98).Subrahmany ...
(1706–1758), who was the 'Maker of modern
Travancore
The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...
', intervened in the political affairs of those princedoms.
Travancore
Dewan
''Dewan'' (also known as ''diwan'', sometimes spelled ''devan'' or ''divan'') designated a powerful government official, minister, or ruler. A ''dewan'' was the head of a state institution of the same name (see Divan). Diwans belonged to the el ...
Ramayyan Dalawa
Ramayyan (died January 1756) was the Dewan of Travancore state, India, during 1737 and 1756 and was responsible for the consolidation and expansion of that kingdom after the defeat of the Dutch at the 1741 Battle of Colachel during the reign of ...
(d. 1756) resided in
Mavelikkara
Mavelikkara is a taluk and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Located in the southern part of the district on the banks of the Achankovil River.
Etymology
The name Mavelikara ...
where he had a palace built by Marthanda Varma. After the death of his wife, Ramayyan consorted with a Nair lady from
Mavelikkara
Mavelikkara is a taluk and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Located in the southern part of the district on the banks of the Achankovil River.
Etymology
The name Mavelikara ...
of the Edassery family (PGN Unnithan, a member of this family, later became the last Dewan of Travancore in 1947). After his death Ramayyan's descendants left Travancore to settle in
Pudukkottai
Pudukkottai is the administrative headquarters of Pudukkottai District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a large city located on the banks of the Vellar River. It has been ruled, at different times, by the mutharaiyar dynasty , Cholas, ...
in Tamil Nadu. His Nair consort was given gifts and presents and special allowances from the Travancore government in recognition of his services to the state while his own descendants were bestowed with the honorific title of Dalawa.
In the 19th century the district saw progress in many spheres. One of the five subordinate courts opened in the state in connection with the reorganization of the judicial system by Colonel
George Monro was located at
Mavelikkara
Mavelikkara is a taluk and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Located in the southern part of the district on the banks of the Achankovil River.
Etymology
The name Mavelikara ...
. The first post office and first telegraph office in the former Travancore state were established in this district. The first manufacturing factory for the
coir
Coir (), also called coconut fibre, is a natural fibre extracted from the outer husk of coconut and used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes, and mattresses. Coir is the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell ...
mats was established in 1859. In 1894 the city Improvement Committee was set up.
The district played a role in the freedom struggle of the country. The struggles of Punnapra and Vayalar in 1946 arrayed the people against Sir
C. P. Ramaswami Iyer
Sir Chetput Pattabhiraman Ramaswami Iyer (12 November 1879 – 26 September 1966), popularly known as Sir C. P., was an Indian lawyer, administrator and politician who served as the Advocate-General of Madras Presidency from 1920 to 1923, Law m ...
, who was Dewan of Travancore. This led to Ramaswami Iyer's exit from the political scene of Travancore. A popular Ministry was formed in Travancore on 24 March 1948 after India's independence. Travancore and
Cochin
Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...
states were integrated on 1 July 1949. This arrangement continued until the formation of Kerala State on 1 November 1956, under the
States Reorganisation Act 1956. The district came into existence as a separate administrative unit on 1 August 1957.
Raja Kesavadas and Alappuzha
Raja Kesavadas
Kunnathur Kesavan Raman Pillai, also known as Raja Kesavadas (1745-1799; Sanskrit ') was the Dewan of Travancore during the reign of Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma. He is well known for his military tactics and administrative acumen ...
, the
Dewan
''Dewan'' (also known as ''diwan'', sometimes spelled ''devan'' or ''divan'') designated a powerful government official, minister, or ruler. A ''dewan'' was the head of a state institution of the same name (see Divan). Diwans belonged to the el ...
of
Travancore
The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...
during the reign of
Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma in 18th century was well known for his planning skills and administrative acumen. He was the master mind in developing the Alappuzha town.
He found Alappuzha as an ideal location and constructing a well planned port city in
Travancore
The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...
. Alappuzha was most suitable, because of the geographical and oceanic reasons. He constructed two parallel canals for bringing goods to port from backwaters and offered infrastructural facilities to merchants and traders from Surat, Mumbai and Kutch to start industrial enterprises, trading, and cargo centres. Alappuzha attained progress and became the financial nerve centre of Travancore during his time. The port was opened in 1762, mainly for the export of coir-matting and coir-yarn. Kesavadas built three ships for trade with Calcutta and Bombay, and alleppey afforded a convenient depot for the storage and disposal of goods produce in the east.
Geography
![Alappuzha - Boating centre](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Alappuzha_-_Boating_centre.jpg)
Alappuzha is located at . The average elevation is
Alappuzha covers an area of and is flanked by of
Vembanad Lake
Vembanad is the longest lake in India, as well as the largest lake in the state of Kerala. The lake has an area of 230 square kilometers and a maximum length of 96.5 km. Spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known as Ve ...
, where six major rivers spread out before joining the 80 km coast line of the district. The city of Alappuzha is crisscrossed by a system of
canal
Canals or artificial waterways are waterways or engineered channels built for drainage management (e.g. flood control and irrigation) or for conveyancing water transport vehicles (e.g. water taxi). They carry free, calm surface flow un ...
s, which is a part of the
National Waterway 3
The West Coast Canal or National Waterway No 3 is a long inland navigational route located in Kerala, India, which runs from Kollam to Kottapuram. It was declared a National Waterway in 1993. In addition to the main stretch, Champakara and ...
.
The district is a sandy strip of land intercepted by lagoons, rivers and canals. There are no mountains or hills in the district except some scattered hillocks lying between
Bharanikkavu
Bharanikkavu is a Panchayat in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.Chengannur
Chengannur (also spelled Chengannoor or Chenganur) is a Municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala State, India. It is located in the extreme eastern part of the Alappuzha district, on the banks of Pamba River.
Chengannur is north of ...
blocks in the eastern portion of the district. There are no forest area in this district.
Alappuzha is bounded by the Laccadive Sea on its west. The town has a network of lakes, lagoons and
fresh water
Fresh water or freshwater is any naturally occurring liquid or frozen water containing low concentrations of dissolved salts and other total dissolved solids. Although the term specifically excludes seawater and brackish water, it does include ...
rivers. The richness of the coastal Alappuzha waters is expressed annually in the blooming and consequent deposit of a huge quantity of fishes and
prawns
Prawn is a common name for small aquatic crustaceans with an exoskeleton and ten legs (which is a member of the order decapoda), some of which can be eaten.
The term "prawn"Mortenson, Philip B (2010''This is not a weasel: a close look at nature ...
on the Alappuzha coast called ‘
hakara. This annual shifting of sandbank appears during the post-monsoon period and contributes to the local economy and is a festive season for the people of Kerala. The annual floods rejuvenate and cleanse the soil and water due to which there is abundance of marine life like prawns,
lobster
Lobsters are a family (biology), family (Nephropidae, Synonym (taxonomy), synonym Homaridae) of marine crustaceans. They have long bodies with muscular tails and live in crevices or burrows on the sea floor. Three of their five pairs of legs ...
s, fishes, turtles and other
flora
Flora is all the plant life present in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring (indigenous) native plants. Sometimes bacteria and fungi are also referred to as flora, as in the terms '' gut flora'' or '' skin flora''.
E ...
in the sea.
The
backwaters and
wetlands
A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is flooded or saturated by water, either permanently (for years or decades) or seasonally (for weeks or months). Flooding results in oxygen-free (anoxic) processes prevailing, especially in the soils. The ...
host thousands of migrant
common teal
The Eurasian teal (''Anas crecca''), common teal, or Eurasian green-winged teal is a common and widespread duck that breeds in temperate Eurosiberia and migrates south in winter. The Eurasian teal is often called simply the teal due to being th ...
,
duck
Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and geese, which are members of the same family. Divided among several subfamilies, they are a form t ...
s and
cormorant
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of approximately 40 species of aquatic birds commonly known as cormorants and shags. Several different classifications of the family have been proposed, but in 2021 the IOC adopted a consensus taxonomy of seven ge ...
s every year who reach here from long distances. A major feature of the area is the region called Kuttanad, the 'granary of Kerala'.
Kuttanad
Kuttanad ( ml, കുട്ടനാട്) is a region covering the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lo ...
is also known as the rice bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. The paddy fields lie about 0.6 to 2 m below mean sea level.
Climate
Owing to its proximity to the sea, the climate of Alappuzha is humid and hot during the summer, although it remains fairly cool and pleasant during the months of October and November. The average monthly temperature is 27 degree Celsius. The district gets the benefit of two seasonal monsoons, as in other parts of the state. Alappuzha town experiences a long monsoon season with heavy showers as both the
Southwest
The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each sepa ...
and
Northeast monsoon
A monsoon () is traditionally a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with annual latitudinal oscill ...
influences the weather of Alappuzha. The South-west monsoon affects the climate in the months from June to September. On the other hand, the North-east monsoon brings rain from October to November. The average rainfall received by the region is 2763 mm.
Demographics
![JainTempleAlappuzhaFrontPrd](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/JainTempleAlappuzhaFrontPrd.jpg)
According to the 2011 census, Alappuzha Municipality+Outgrowths had a population of 240,991 with 116,439 men and 124,552 women. The City spreads over Alappuzha municipality and the outgrowths of
Punnapra
Punnapra is a village in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. It is a coastal area of the Arabian Sea and lies west to Kuttanad, popularly known as ''The rice bowl of Kerala''.
Local Governance
Punnapra is divided into 2 panchayats:
*Punnapr ...
and
Kalarcode
Kalarcode or Kalarkode is a village in Alappuzha district, from the town of Alappuzha. The village name derives from ''Kalyakroda Vilasam''.
Demographics
As of the 2001 Census of India, Kalarkode had a population of - with - males and - fema ...
villages with an area of and population density of 3,675 persons per square kilometre. There were 22,361 persons under six years of age. The
literacy rate
Literacy in its broadest sense describes "particular ways of thinking about and doing reading and writing" with the purpose of understanding or expressing thoughts or ideas in written form in some specific context of use. In other words, huma ...
of Alappuzha city stands at 95.81% with 209,201 literates where 101,927 are males (97.3%) and 107,274 are females (94.43%). Alappuzha had a sex ratio of 1070.
The population is predominantly
Hindus
Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
, and there are sizeable numbers of
Christians
Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...
and
Muslims
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abraha ...
. The most widely spoken language is
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...
, although many people speak
Konkani.
The standard dialect of Malayalam spoken is Central Travancore dialect. Konkani is a language that is spoken in the
Konkan
The Konkan ( kok, कोंकण) or Kokan () is a stretch of land by the western coast of India, running from Damaon in the north to Karwar in the south; with the Arabian Sea to the west and the Deccan plateau in the east. The hinterland ...
region. During the Portuguese and Dutch invasions of the 16th and 18th centuries, many
Konkanis migrated southwards to
Thuravoor,
Cherthala
Cherthala, , (formerly Shertalai, Shertallai or Shertallay) is a Municipal town and a Taluk located at National highway 66 in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. Cherthala is the satellite town and industrial hub of Ala ...
and Alappuzha in the state of
Travancore
The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...
as well as other places in Kerala like
Cochin
Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...
,
Kodungalloor
Kodungallur (; also Cranganore, Portuguese: Cranganor; formerly known as Mahodayapuram, Shingly, Vanchi, Muchiri, Muyirikkode, and Muziris) is a historically significant town situated on the banks of river Periyar on the Malabar Coast in Th ...
, and
Kollam
Kollam (), also known by its former name Quilon , is an ancient seaport and city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The city i ...
. A majority of these people got settled in Alappuzha.
Economy
![Alleppey Boat houses](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Alleppey_Boat_houses.jpg)
The economy of the district is based on agriculture and marine products. The agricultural activities predominantly revolve around the
Kuttanad
Kuttanad ( ml, കുട്ടനാട്) is a region covering the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lo ...
region, the rice bowl of Kerala. Though the district is industrially backward, some traditional industries based on
coir
Coir (), also called coconut fibre, is a natural fibre extracted from the outer husk of coconut and used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes, and mattresses. Coir is the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell ...
and coir products, marine products, handlooms, different types of
handicraft
A handicraft, sometimes more precisely expressed as artisanal handicraft or handmade, is any of a wide variety of types of work where useful and decorative objects are made completely by one’s hand or by using only simple, non-automated re ...
s,
toddy tapping
Palm wine, known by several #Names, local names, is an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree such as the Borassus, palmyra, date palms, and coconut palms. It is known by various names in different regions and i ...
have been active from the very early times. The district is known as the traditional home of coir industry in Kerala.
The availability of raw materials and the existence of backwaters and canals suitable for the getting of green husk and accessibility of transportation are the main factors of the development of this industry.
Arabs
The Arabs (singular: Arab; singular ar, عَرَبِيٌّ, DIN 31635: , , plural ar, عَرَب, DIN 31635, DIN 31635: , Arabic pronunciation: ), also known as the Arab people, are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in Wester ...
had carried on trade in coir products from very ancient period. The manufacture of mats and mattings were first introduced in 1859 by Mr. James Durragh.
The Coir Board was established by the Central Government under the provisions of the Coir Industry Act in 1955. A coir research institute functions at
Kalavoor
Kalavoor is a village located in National Highway 66 at Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.
Location
Kalavoor is to the north of Alappuzha city and to the South of Cochin. National Highway 66, passes through Kalavoor.
Trans ...
. The National Coir Training and Designing Centre was established at Alappuzha in 1965.
Coir
Coir (), also called coconut fibre, is a natural fibre extracted from the outer husk of coconut and used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes, and mattresses. Coir is the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell ...
is the most important commodity manufactured in Alappuzha,
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in Kerala. It is the second biggest town in Alappuzha district. It is located on the western coast of India, and was an ancient maritime trading center. O ...
,
Kokkothamangalam
Kokkothamangalam is a census town in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.
Demographics
India census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given popu ...
,
Komalapuram
Komalapuram is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is part of Aryad panchayat. It is said that the name Komalapuram is a word combined of two words 'Komalam' and 'Puram'. Komalam is named after Mr. Komalam Shetty ...
,
Mannancherry,
Muhamma
Muhamma is a census town in Cherthala Taluk in Alappuzha district in the Indian States and territories of India, state of Kerala. It is home to Cheerappanchira kalari, where Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala had his training in the martial arts. Cheera ...
and
Vayalar
Vayalar is a village in Cherthala taluk, Alapuzha district, Kerala state, India.
Location
Vayalar is 5 km from Cherthala, Kerala. Vayalar is bounded on the east by the Vayalar kayal which is a part of the famous Vembanad backwate ...
, Coir products are available in
Cherthala
Cherthala, , (formerly Shertalai, Shertallai or Shertallay) is a Municipal town and a Taluk located at National highway 66 in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. Cherthala is the satellite town and industrial hub of Ala ...
and
Mannancherry, Lime shell in
Arookutty
Arookutty is a census town in Alappuzha district in the state of Kerala, India.
Demographics
India census, Arookutty had a population of 17,387. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Arookutty has an average literacy rate o ...
and
Kodamthuruth
Kodamthuruth is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.
It is a panchayat, which comes under the Aroor Assembly constituency.
Demographics
Kodamthuruth is a town in the district of Alappuzha, Kerala
Kerala ( ; ...
,
Plywood
Plywood is a material manufactured from thin layers or "plies" of wood veneer that are glued together with adjacent layers having their wood grain rotated up to 90 degrees to one another. It is an engineered wood from the family of manufactured ...
in
Chengannur
Chengannur (also spelled Chengannoor or Chenganur) is a Municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala State, India. It is located in the extreme eastern part of the Alappuzha district, on the banks of Pamba River.
Chengannur is north of ...
, Keltron controls in
Aroor
Aroor is a census town at the northern end of Alappuzha district and the southern suburb of the city of Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. It is a seafood related industrial area of Alleppey district, and acts as the Southern entry point ...
,
Potassium Chloride
Potassium chloride (KCl, or potassium salt) is a metal halide salt composed of potassium and chlorine. It is odorless and has a white or colorless vitreous crystal appearance. The solid dissolves readily in water, and its solutions have a salt ...
in
Mavelikkara
Mavelikkara is a taluk and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Located in the southern part of the district on the banks of the Achankovil River.
Etymology
The name Mavelikara ...
and coconut in
Thanneermukkom
Thanneermukkom is a village in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India.
Geography
It is located at .
a beautiful place in alappuzha.
Location
Thanneermukkom is on the banks of Lake Vembanad. There is a salt water barrier at Thanneermukkom, b ...
. The other important commodities manufactured in these towns are
copra
Copra (from ) is the dried, white flesh of the coconut from which coconut oil is extracted. Traditionally, the coconuts are sun-dried, especially for export, before the oil, also known as copra oil, is pressed out. The oil extracted from copr ...
,
coconut oil
frameless , right , alt = A cracked coconut and a bottle of coconut oil
Coconut oil (or coconut butter) is an edible oil derived from the wick, meat, and milk of the coconut palm fruit. Coconut oil is a white solid fat; in warmer climates duri ...
, glass,
mats and
match
A match is a tool for starting a fire. Typically, matches are made of small wooden sticks or stiff paper. One end is coated with a material that can be ignited by friction generated by striking the match against a suitable surface. Wooden matc ...
es.
In recent times, tourism has become a major source of revenue. This is mainly due to the presence of houseboats that provide the tourists with a view of the scenic backwaters of the town. Another reason is the proximity to other tourist spots like
Munnar
Munnar () is a town and hill station in the Idukki district of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. Munnar is situated at around above mean sea level, in the Western Ghats mountain range. Munnar is also called the "Kashmir of South Indi ...
,
Varkala
Varkala, is a major coastal municipality situated in the northern suburb of Trivandrum, capital city of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the headquarters of Varkala Taluk and important government institutions such as the taluk office, court ...
, Alappuzha and
Wayanad
Wayanad () is a district in the north-east of Indian state Kerala with administrative headquarters at the municipality of Kalpetta. It is the only plateau in Kerala. The Wayanad Plateau forms a continuation of the Mysore Plateau, the southern ...
.
Backwater paddy cultivation
The major occupation in Alappuzha is farming. The Rice Bowl of Kerala, Kuttanadu is located in Alappuzha. Large farming areas near
Vembanad Lake
Vembanad is the longest lake in India, as well as the largest lake in the state of Kerala. The lake has an area of 230 square kilometers and a maximum length of 96.5 km. Spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known as Ve ...
were reclaimed from the lake. In earlier times, the reclamation was done mainly from the shallow part of the
Vembanad Lake
Vembanad is the longest lake in India, as well as the largest lake in the state of Kerala. The lake has an area of 230 square kilometers and a maximum length of 96.5 km. Spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known as Ve ...
or from the periphery of river Pamba. These reclamations constituted small areas of paddy fields called ''Padsekharam''. The bailing out of water from those fields were done manually using water wheels (''Chakram''). Gradually the manual method used for bailing out of water gave way to steam engines.
Three stages can be identified in the reclamation of lands from the Vembanad Lake. In the first stage it was carried out by private entrepreneurs without any financial support from the part of the government. The ''Pattom Proclamation'', made by the Travancore Kingdom in the year 1865, gave a great boost to the reclamation activities between 1865 and 1890. During this period de-watering of the polders were done manually, using waterwheels, restricting large-scale reclamations. Only about 250 hectares of land were reclaimed during this period. Venadu Lake and Madathil Lake that were reclaimed during this period are considered as the first ''Kayal Nilam'' (lake-reclaimed land) which were reclaimed from Vembanad Lake. The pioneering reclamation activity of lake-reclamation and cultivation was made by two brothers
Pallithanam Luca Matthai
Pallithanam Luca Matthai (also known as Pallithanathu Mathaichan) was born in 1880 in Kainady village, Kuttanad, British India.
His father, Mathai Luca Pallithanam, was among the pioneers of kayal cultivation (reclamation of cultivable land fro ...
and
Ouseph Luka Pallithanam belonging to Kainady village in Kuttanadu. The period between 1865 and 1890 is usually considered as the first phase of lake-cultivation.
The introduction of kerosene engines for dewatering resulted in the reclamation of wider areas of the lake for cultivation. It made the farmers consider venturing into the deeper parts of the lake. During the period between 1898 and 1903, reclamation activity was led by
Pallithanam Luca Mathai (alias Pallithanathu Mathaichen) who reclaimed the
Cherukara Kayal
Cherukara is a town in Malappuram in the Indian state of Kerala. The nearest city is Perinthalmanna which is about away.
Transport
The village can be accessed by local buses and taxis. The Shoranur - Nilambur Railway line serves this area. ...
and Pallithanam Moovayiram Kayal.
The second phase (1890 to 1903) of reclamation activities came to a halt because of the ban on lake reclamation imposed by the Madras Government in 1903. Cherukali Kayal, Rama Rajapuram Kayal, Aarupanku Kayal, Pantharndu Panku kayal and Mathi Kayal were the other major reclamations during this period.
In 1912, the Madras Government approved a proposal from the Travencore Government for further reclamations in three stages. Under this reclamation scheme areas were notified for reclamation in blocks each named by an alphabet letter. Out of the total area of 19,500 acres of reclaimed land 12,000 acres were reclaimed between 1913 and 1920. The reclamations between 1914 and 1920 are known as new reclamations, which were carried out in three periods. In the first period Blocks A to G measuring 6300 Acres were reclaimed. C Block, D Block (Attumukham Aarayiram (Attumuttu Kayal), Thekke Aarayiram and Vadakke Aarayiram) and E Block (Erupathinalayiram Kayal) F Block (Judge's Aarayiram Kayal) and G Block (Kochu Kayal) are the major reclamations during this period.
During the second period of new reclamation, blocks H to N measuring 3600 acres were reclaimed. During the third period of new reclamation, R Block measuring 1,400 acres were reclaimed.
Due to the steep decline in the price of rice during 1920 to 1940, the reclamation activities became sluggish, but they gained momentum again in the early 1940s. During this period, in order to increase the agricultural output, government initiated a ''Grow More Food'' campaign and provided incentives to encourage new reclamations. The advent of electric motors made the reclamation easier, cheaper and less risky as compared to the earlier periods. The last tract of the reclamations namely Q, S and T block were made during this period.
Transport
Road
National highways
Nation Highway 66 is one of the longest national highway in India. It connects
Panvel
Panvel () is a city and taluka in Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is highly populated due to its closeness to Mumbai. Panvel is also governed for development purpose by the body of Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Panvel Municipal Corpora ...
to
Kanyakumari
Kanniyakumari (; , referring to Devi Kanya Kumari), also known as Cape Comorin, is a city in Kanniyakumari district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent and the southernmost city in mainland Ind ...
and crisscrosses through the Alappuzha
city centre
A city centre is the commercial, cultural and often the historical, political, and geographic heart of a city. The term "city centre" is primarily used in British English, and closely equivalent terms exist in other languages, such as "" in Fren ...
. The
Alappuzha Bypass
Alappuzha Bypass ( ml, ആലപ്പുഴ ബൈപ്പാസ്) is a part of NH 66 that bypasses CBD of Alappuzha city in Kerala, India. The 6.8 km long two line bypass is the first and longest elevated beach highway in the countr ...
, to route the national highway around city centers between Kommady and
Kalarkode. National Highway 66 connects Alappuzha city to other major cities like Mumbai,
Udupi
Udupi (alternate spelling Udipi; also known as Odipu) is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. Udupi is situated about north of the educational, commercial and industrial hub of Mangalore and about west of state capital Bangalore by road.
...
,
Mangalore
Mangalore (), officially known as Mangaluru, is a major port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bangalore, the state capital, 20 km north of Karnataka–Ker ...
,
Kannur
Kannur (), formerly known in English as Cannanore, is a city and a municipal corporation in the state of Kerala, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Kannur district and situated north of the major port city and commercial hu ...
,
Kozhikode
Kozhikode (), also known in English as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. It has a corporation limit population of 609,224 and a metropolitan population of more than 2 million, making it the second la ...
, Ernakulam, Kollam and Trivandrum. There is a plan to upgrade
State Highway 11 to a national highway in order to help connect Alappuzha to
Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal () is a hill station which is located in Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Its name in the Tamil language means "The Gift of the Forest". Kodaikanal is referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" and has a long ...
as part of promoting the coastal-hill tourism project.
State highways
![AC Road SH-11](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/AC_Road_SH-11.JPG)
There are eight state highways in Alappuzha district, of which three of them originates from Alappuzha town. State Highway 11 starts from
Kalarcode
Kalarcode or Kalarkode is a village in Alappuzha district, from the town of Alappuzha. The village name derives from ''Kalyakroda Vilasam''.
Demographics
As of the 2001 Census of India, Kalarkode had a population of - with - males and - fema ...
and ends at
Perunna
Perunna aka Perunnai is a suburb of Changanassery town in Kottayam District, Kerala, India. The nearest big city, Kottayam, is 21 km away from Perunna.
Perunna is also located at the intersection of MC Road (SH1) and Alappuzha-Changanass ...
. This highway is locally known as AC road (Alappuzha-Changanassery road) and it covers a distance of 24.2 km. It is an important road which connects Alappuzha town with
Kottayam district
Kottayam (), is one of 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. Kottayam district comprises six municipal towns: Kottayam, Changanassery, Pala, Erattupetta, Ettumanoor, and Vaikom. It is the only district in Kerala that neither borders the ...
.
Stateway High 40 is an interstate highway in Alappuzha district which connects Alappuzha town with
Madurai
Madurai ( , also , ) is a major city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Madurai District. As of the 2011 census, it was the third largest Urban agglomeration in ...
in
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a States and union territories of India, state in southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of India ...
. It is the only interstate highway in Alappuzha district.
State Highway 66 originates from Alappuzha town and terminates at Thoppumpady.
There are two bus terminals are situated in Alappuzha town, one for KSRTC buses (situated near state water transport corporation headquarters, boat jetty road) and the V K soman memorial municipal bus stand for private buses and interstate bound contract carriage buses (situated near Vazhicherry). A temporary KSRTC bus dippo and garage facing National Highway 66 (India), National Highway 66 is under construction near valavanadu. KSRTC buses connect Alappuzha with cities like Bangalore, Banglore, Mysore, Kollur, Udupi district, kollur, Mangalore, manglore, chennai, Coimbatore, coimbathore, palani, ooty,
Kochi
Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...
, Trivandrum, Thiruvalla and all other major towns in kerala. The kayamkulam -
Ernakulam
Ernakulam () is the Central Business District of the city of Kochi in Kerala, India and has lent its name to the Ernakulam district. Many major establishments, including the Kerala High Court, the office of the Kochi Municipal Corporation a ...
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, KSRTC Fast passenger chain service through the National Highway 66 (India), National highway 66 is very popular. State Express Transport Corporation, SETC and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, TNSTC ply many daily services to the city. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation have two daily services originating from Alappuzha.City private buses are green and white colored (formally white and brown). City buses connect Alappuzha with places like
Mannancherry,
Kalavoor
Kalavoor is a village located in National Highway 66 at Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.
Location
Kalavoor is to the north of Alappuzha city and to the South of Cochin. National Highway 66, passes through Kalavoor.
Trans ...
, Erattakulangara, Kanjippadam, and Aspinwal. Some buses connects Alappuzha to
Cherthala
Cherthala, , (formerly Shertalai, Shertallai or Shertallay) is a Municipal town and a Taluk located at National highway 66 in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. Cherthala is the satellite town and industrial hub of Ala ...
through coastal highway and Kanichukulangara route. Many contract carriage buses originate from Alappuzha to cities like chennai, Bangalore, Banglore, Coimbatore, coimbathore, madurai, velankanni and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry
Water
The presence of a lot of backwaters and canals makes water transport a popular means of transport. Inland waterways of India, National Waterway-3 passes through Alappuzha. There is a Kerala State Water Transport Department, SWTD boat jetty in the city that lies opposite to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, KSRTC bus stand. It is served by boat services to Kottayam and Kollam cities besides other small towns and jetties. Availing an Kerala State Water Transport Department, SWTD boat is a cheaper alternative to houseboats for visiting tourists.
Rail
Alappuzha railway station, Alappuzha is linked by Ernakulam–Kayamkulam coastal railway line and connects to cities like Trivandrum, Kollam, Cochin, Coimbatore, Chennai, Delhi, Bokaro Steel City, Bokaro and Mumbai. The Alappuzha railway station, railway station is about from the heart of the city. A total of four trains originate from Alappuzha to cities like
Kannur
Kannur (), formerly known in English as Cannanore, is a city and a municipal corporation in the state of Kerala, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Kannur district and situated north of the major port city and commercial hu ...
, Chennai, Dhanbad and Tatanagar. There are a lot of local trains running throughout the day, which connect Alappuzha to other towns near by. Since Alappuzha is a prime destination, trains from important cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Bangalore,
Mangalore
Mangalore (), officially known as Mangaluru, is a major port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bangalore, the state capital, 20 km north of Karnataka–Ker ...
,
Kozhikode
Kozhikode (), also known in English as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. It has a corporation limit population of 609,224 and a metropolitan population of more than 2 million, making it the second la ...
and Amritsar pass through this station.
Air
Cochin International Airport, which is to the North, is the closest airport. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, to the South, is the other airport that links the district with other countries. International tourists use these airports to reach Alappuzha. The other nearest airports are located at
Kozhikode
Kozhikode (), also known in English as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. It has a corporation limit population of 609,224 and a metropolitan population of more than 2 million, making it the second la ...
() and Coimbatore (). A helipad in the town is reserved for government uses.
Administration and politics
![Alappuzha loves Wikimedia IMG 7599](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Alappuzha_loves_Wikimedia_IMG_7599.JPG)
The two administrative systems prevailing in the district are revenue and local self-government in India, local self-government. Under the revenue system, the district is divided into two revenue divisions, six taluks and 91 villages. The two revenue divisions are Alappuzha division comprising
Cherthala
Cherthala, , (formerly Shertalai, Shertallai or Shertallay) is a Municipal town and a Taluk located at National highway 66 in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. Cherthala is the satellite town and industrial hub of Ala ...
,
Ambalappuzha
Ambalappuzha is a small town in the Alappuzha district of Kerala state, India. It is located south of Alappuzha which is the district headquarters.
Ambalappuzha is divided into the two panchayats of Ambalapuzha North and Ambalapuzha South.
...
and
Kuttanad
Kuttanad ( ml, കുട്ടനാട്) is a region covering the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lo ...
taluks consisting of 47 villages and
Chengannur
Chengannur (also spelled Chengannoor or Chenganur) is a Municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala State, India. It is located in the extreme eastern part of the Alappuzha district, on the banks of Pamba River.
Chengannur is north of ...
division comprising Karthikapally,
Chengannur
Chengannur (also spelled Chengannoor or Chenganur) is a Municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala State, India. It is located in the extreme eastern part of the Alappuzha district, on the banks of Pamba River.
Chengannur is north of ...
and
Mavelikkara
Mavelikkara is a taluk and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Located in the southern part of the district on the banks of the Achankovil River.
Etymology
The name Mavelikara ...
taluks consisting of 44 villages. For census purposes,
Aroor
Aroor is a census town at the northern end of Alappuzha district and the southern suburb of the city of Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. It is a seafood related industrial area of Alleppey district, and acts as the Southern entry point ...
,
Arookutty
Arookutty is a census town in Alappuzha district in the state of Kerala, India.
Demographics
India census, Arookutty had a population of 17,387. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Arookutty has an average literacy rate o ...
,
Kodamthuruth
Kodamthuruth is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.
It is a panchayat, which comes under the Aroor Assembly constituency.
Demographics
Kodamthuruth is a town in the district of Alappuzha, Kerala
Kerala ( ; ...
,
Thanneermukkom
Thanneermukkom is a village in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India.
Geography
It is located at .
a beautiful place in alappuzha.
Location
Thanneermukkom is on the banks of Lake Vembanad. There is a salt water barrier at Thanneermukkom, b ...
Vadakku, Thaneermukkam Thekku,
Vayalar
Vayalar is a village in Cherthala taluk, Alapuzha district, Kerala state, India.
Location
Vayalar is 5 km from Cherthala, Kerala. Vayalar is bounded on the east by the Vayalar kayal which is a part of the famous Vembanad backwate ...
East and
Kokkothamangalam
Kokkothamangalam is a census town in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.
Demographics
India census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given popu ...
village, except the portions included in
Cherthala
Cherthala, , (formerly Shertalai, Shertallai or Shertallay) is a Municipal town and a Taluk located at National highway 66 in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. Cherthala is the satellite town and industrial hub of Ala ...
municipality are treated in the 1981 census as census towns based on the threefold criteria adopted for treating a place as census town.
Under the local self-government system, the district is divided into five statutory towns and development blocks consisting of 71 panchayats. The jurisdiction of a Development Block includes the areas falling in census towns also.
There were nine Legislature of Kerala, legislative assembly segments in Alappuzha district for the 2011 Kerala State legislative assembly election, 2011 Assembly elections. They are
Aroor
Aroor is a census town at the northern end of Alappuzha district and the southern suburb of the city of Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. It is a seafood related industrial area of Alleppey district, and acts as the Southern entry point ...
,
Cherthala
Cherthala, , (formerly Shertalai, Shertallai or Shertallay) is a Municipal town and a Taluk located at National highway 66 in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. Cherthala is the satellite town and industrial hub of Ala ...
, Alappuzha,
Kuttanad
Kuttanad ( ml, കുട്ടനാട്) is a region covering the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lo ...
, Haripad,
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in Kerala. It is the second biggest town in Alappuzha district. It is located on the western coast of India, and was an ancient maritime trading center. O ...
,
Mavelikkara
Mavelikkara is a taluk and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Located in the southern part of the district on the banks of the Achankovil River.
Etymology
The name Mavelikara ...
and
Chengannur
Chengannur (also spelled Chengannoor or Chenganur) is a Municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala State, India. It is located in the extreme eastern part of the Alappuzha district, on the banks of Pamba River.
Chengannur is north of ...
.
Alappuzha assembly constituency is part of Alappuzha (Lok Sabha constituency). The other Lok Sabha constituency of the district is
Mavelikkara
Mavelikkara is a taluk and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Located in the southern part of the district on the banks of the Achankovil River.
Etymology
The name Mavelikara ...
.
Education
![Alappuzha Medical College](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Alappuzha_Medical_College.jpg)
There are schools, computer institutes and colleges all over the district, with nine training schools, 405 lower primary schools, 105 high schools and 87 higher secondary schools.
The first school in Alappuzha, the Church Missionary Society (CMS) School, was established in 1816. The school was established by the Rev. Thomas Norton, the first CMS missionary to India. The school is run by the Church of South India, CSI Christ Church, Alappuzha. The first higher secondary school in Alappuzha was the Leo XIIIth Higher Secondary School, which was opened on 1 June 1889 by Portuguese Bishop John Gomes Pereira of
Cochin
Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...
. The first polytechnic college in Alappuzha was the Carmel Polytechnic College, established by Fr. Gilbert Palaekunnel and it's managed by CMI Congregation. Carmel is the academically top-ranked polytechnic in the state still.
![CarmelPolytechnicCollege](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/CarmelPolytechnicCollege.jpg)
Colleges in Alappuzha offer both Graduate school, graduate and postgraduate courses for their students.
Major college institutes
* College of Engineering, Cherthala
* Cochin University College of Engineering Kuttanad
* Sanatana Dharma College
* S. D. V. College of Arts and Applied Science
* Sree Narayana College, Cherthala, Sree Narayana College Cherthala - SN College Kanjikkuzhy
* N.S.S. College, Cherthala, N.S.S. College Cherthala
* Government College, Ambalappuzha
* College of Engineering and Management, Punnapra
* Mar Gregorios College Punnapra
* College of Engineering Chengannur
* College of Applied Sciences, Mavelikkara
* Carmel College of Engineering and Technology Alappuzha
* Government T D Medical College, Alappuzha
* St. Joseph's College for Women, Alappuzha
* St. Michael's College, Cherthala, St. Michael's college, Cherthala
* T. K. Madhava Memorial College
* St. Aloysius College, Edathua, St. Aloysius College Edathua
* Government college of Nursing, Alappuzha, College of Nursing Vandanam
* Tols School for Career Development, Alappuzha - 690517
* K.V.M College of Nursing,Cherthala
* K.V.M Institute of Paramedical Science,Cherthala
* K V M Institute of Pharmacy,Cherthala
* Government Polytechnic college Cherthala
* Government Women's Polytechnic College, Kayamkulam
* Bishop Moore College Mavelikkara
* Milad-E-Sherief Memorial College, Kayamkulam (MSM)
* Christian College, Chengannur
Religious buildings/ shrines
![Mar Sleeva Forane Church](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Mar_Sleeva_Forane_Church.jpg)
Major Important Hindu Temples in Alappuzha (Alleppey ).
# Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple
# Anandeshwaram Mahadeva Temple
# Chakkulathukavu Temple (Bhagavathy Temple)
# Chettikulangara Devi Temple
# Chengannur Mahadeva Temple
# Cheriyanad Sree Balasubrahmanya Swami Temple
# Chunakkara Thiruvairoor Mahadevar Temple
# Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple
# Karthyayani Devi Temple, Cherthala, Kanichukulangara Devi Temple
# Kuttikattu Sree Bhadra Kali Devi Temple
# Karthyayani Devi Temple, Cherthala
# Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple, Mavelikkara
# Karayamvattam Hanuman Temple
# Mannarasala Temple (Sree Nagaraja Temple)
# Maruthorvattom Sri Dhanwanthari Temple, Cherthala
# Mullakkal Temple, Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple
# Mavelikara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple
# Padanilam Parabrahma Temple, Nooranad
# Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple, Thripuliyoor Mahavishnu Temple
# Thrikkunnappuzha Sree Dharmasastha Temple
# Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple
# Thuravoor Mahakshetram
# Thiruvizha Mahadeva Temple, Cherthala
# Valiyakulangara Devi Temple, Karthikappally
# Vettikodu Sri Nagararaja Temple
Major important Christian churches in Alappuzha (Alleppey ).
# St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal
# St. George Forane Church, Edathua (St. George /Paul Forane Church)
# Basilica of St. Mary, Champakulam (Chambakulam kalloorkadu Basilica)
# Thumpoly Church (St. Thomas Church, Thumpoly )
# Poomkavu Church (Our Lady of Assumption Church, Poomkavu )
# Pulinkunnu /Pulincunno Church ( St. Mary's Forane valiya Church, Pulincunno)
# Thankey Church ( St. Mary's Forane Church, Thankey )
# Cherthala Pallipuram Church ( St. Mary's Forane Church, Pallipuram )
# Alleppey Cathedral Church ( Mount Caramel Cathedral Church, Alappuzha )
# St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral,
Karthikappally
Karthikappally is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.Haripad is the headquarter of Karthikappally Taluk. Taluk office is located at revenue tower Haripad.
History
Karthikappally was once a Buddhist center. Since ...
Major important Muslim mosques in Alappuzha (Alleppey ).
# Makidusha Jumah Masjid Alappy
# Kizhake Masthan Jumah Masjid
# Padinjaare Jumah Masjid
# Thekke Jumah Masjid
# Kadhar Ali Bava Thykaav Dargah arghahD
# Purakkad Mosque Dargah
# Zilla Court Jumah Makidusha
Sports
![Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2012 7791](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Nehru_Trophy_Boat_Race_2012_7791.JPG)
Alappuzha is globally famous for snake boat races, especially the Nehru Trophy Boat Race held in the
Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha. In 1952, when Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, visited Kerala, the people of Alleppey decided to give a special entertainment for their prestigious guest and conducted a snake boat race. Nehru got so excited by this event and he jumped into 'Nadubhagam Chundan' (a snake boat), ignoring the security officials. By this excitement of sailing in a snake boat he donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner of the race. Other than this snake boat race cricket, association football, football, basketball and rowing are among the most popular sports in town. In 2015, the Kerala Cricket Association inaugurated the KCA Cricket Stadium Alappuzha, which is an A-class cricket stadium. Another stadium named as EMS Stadium or municipal stadium is under construction as of 2021.
Notable people
* Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai - novelist and short story writer, recipient of India's highest literary award, the Jnanpith.
* Vayalar Ramavarma - Malayalam poet and film lyricist
* Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker - Social reformer in
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
* M. G. Sreekumar - musician, singer and music director
* Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma - poet and lyricist
* M. K. Sanu – writer, critic and social activist, a permanent member of the International body for Human rights
* Irayimman Thampi - Carnatic musician as well as a music composer from Kerala
* Kavalam Narayana Panicker - Dramatist,theatre director,poet
* Rajeev Alunkal - lyricist, poet and orator
* S. D. Shibulal - chief executive officer and managing director of Infosys
* Karunakara Guru, Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru - founder of Santhigiri Ashram
* P. S. Karthikeyan - former Secretary, S. N. Trust, former Director of SNDP Yogam, former Member of the Legislative Assembly (Aroor), Chief Editor of Dinamani daily
* Joy J. Kaimaparamban - English and Malayalam author
* Itty Achudan - the major contributor of ethno-medical information for the compilation of Hortus Malabaricus
* Eleanour Sinclair Rohde - British gardener and writer on horticulture
* V. P. Sivakumar - short story writer
* C. T. Ravikumar, Justice C.T.Ravikumar - Supreme Court Judge.
* Kavalam Sreekumar - Classical musician,playback singer,composer
Religion
* Karunakara Guru - founder of Santhigiri Ashramam
* Palackal Thoma Malpan - founder of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate
* Mgr. Joseph C. Panjikaran - founder of the Medical Sisters of St. Joseph
*
* Antony Theodore - Christian educator, poet, social worker
* Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara - Christian saint
Politics
* A. K. Antony - three times Chief Minister of Kerala in United Democratic Front (India), UDF Ministry, former Indian Defence Minister
* V. S. Achuthanandan - former chief minister of Kerala and one of the most senior communist politicians of India
* Ramesh Chennithala - former Home Minister and Former Leader of the opposition of Kerala, current legislative assembly member of Haripad constituency.
* Susheela Gopalan, Suseela Gopalan- Former Kerala Industries Minister and Communist Leader
* K. R. Gowri - Revenue Minister in first Kerala Left Democratic Front (Kerala), LDF ministry, initiated the land reforms in Kerala, Agriculture minister in Kerala UDF Ministry
* Vayalar Ravi - former Home minister of Kerala in UDF Ministry, former Union Cabinet Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs
* C. K. Chandrappan - communist leader and former Member of Parliament
* S. Ramachandran Pillai - Politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and General Secretary of All India Kisan Sabha (Peasants Union)
* G. Sudhakaran - member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and former PWD minister of Kerala
* P. Parameswaran - Director of Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram; philosopher
Cinema
* Sreekumaran Thampi - lyricist, director, producer and screenwriter in Malayalam cinema
* Jomon T. John - Indian cinematographer
* Ratheesh - Malayalam film actor
* Kunchacko - Indian film producer and director
* Nedumudi Venu - Malayalam film actor.
* Fazil (director), Fazil - Malayalam film director
* Kunchacko Boban - Malayalam film actor
* Riaz M T - Malayalam film actor
* Fahadh Faasil - Malayalam film actor
* Jagannatha Varma - Kathakali artist, actor in Malayalam film and serial
* Ashokan (actor), Ashokan - Malayalam film actor
* Rajan P. Dev – Malayalam film actor and drama/theatre person
* S. L. Puram Sadanandan - Malayalam playwright and film scriptwriter
* Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan - writer and film critic
* Radhika (Malayalam actress) - Malayalam film actress
* Navodaya Appachan - Malayalam movie producer and businessman
* Jijo Punnoose - film director
* Padmarajan - film director
* Narendra Prasad - film actor, writer and critic
* KPAC Lalitha - Malayalam film actress
* Madhu Muttom - Screenwriter,Screenwriter of Manichitrathazhu, Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal
* Samantha Ruth Prabhu- Actress
Sport
* Thomas J. Fenn - former Kerala State and International basketball player and referee
* Prasanth Parameswaran - Kerala first class cricketer (Indian Premier League and Royal Challengers Bangalore player)
* Saji Thomas - sportsman and Arjuna awardee
See also
* Alappuzha East
* Alappuzha West
* Ernakulam-Kayamkulam coastal railway line
* KCA Cricket Stadium, Alappuzha
* List of people from Alappuzha
* Technical Higher Secondary School, Cherthala, Pallippuram
* Travancore Labour Association
References
External links
*
Kerala State Water Transport Department official websiteOfficial website of Alappuzha District*
Backwaters of Alappuzha
{{Municipalities of Kerala
Alappuzha,
Cities and towns in Alappuzha district
Populated coastal places in India
Port cities in India