Alappuzha (Alleppey)

Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India.

Population : 2,105,349 (2001)
Area          : 1,414 km sqr 
 A town with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons, it was described as the one of the places known as Venice of the East by Marco Polo (1292). 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. Arthunkal church and Edathuva church are famous Christian worship centres in the district.

The main cultural and spiritual events of Alappuzha are Chambakkulam Moolam boat race, Chettikulangara Bharani and Nehru Trophy boat race.
The picturesque CSI Christ Church in Alappuzha town was built in 1818 by the first CMS (Church Missionary Society) missionary to the erstwhile state of Travancore, Rev. Thomas Norton. It was the first Anglican Church to be established in Travancore. Famous religious destinations are

Padanilam Sivarathri

Padanilam is a developing small town situated in the Mavelikkara Taluk of Alappuzha district.The famous Padanilam Temple is situated at Padanilam.This temple is famous for its festivals.The main festival celebrating here is the sivarathri.It is usually celebrating in the months of February or March.During the day thousands of devotees,even from other districts came to the temple to see the massive spctacular kettukazhcha.On sivarathri day morning there is a Kaavadiyaattam for Lord Murugan.Thousands took Kaavadi and come to the temple in large groups.On the evening of the day ,the most beautiful part of the celebration is held.Large kettukazhchas (Bulls ,which is the vehicle of Lord Siva )come to the temple.The happy croud dances with the rhythm of Kerala,The Sinkaarimelam.
Other festivals celebrating here include the Vrischikamahotsavam in the month of vrischikam.The celebration last for 41 days,mainly the first 12 days.This temple is an Idathaavalam of Sabarimala Temple.The arrange many facilities for the devotees who are going to Sabarimala.The KSRTC arranges bus services from Padanilam to Pamba during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season.

Mullackal Rajarajeswari Temple

Mullakkal Temple located in the heart of Alappuzha city, dedicated to the goddess Rajarajeswari. Basically the temple was a palace of Chembakasseri kingdom and later dedicated to Sree Raja Rajeshwari Devi. Mullakkal Chirappu is one of the main festival time for Alappuzha people. Devotees throng the temple in large numbers to seek the blessings of the Devi . The major attraction of the temple is its top opened Sreekovil, specially made for Vana Durga (Durga in Naure or Forest as a whole).
The nine day Navarathri festival is celebrated with all festivities in Alappuzha, particularly the last two days, Mahanavami and Vijayadasami. Another important festival of the temple is 'Thaipooyakavadi'. About fifteen 'Kavadis' take part in the procession of 'Thaipooyakavadi' festival.
By road it is about 60 km from Eranakulam. There are many stories behind this temple. Some say that the idol seen here was brought by the soldiers of the Thekkumkur king. They were supposed to have kept it in a Jasmine Garden. The idol got permanently fixed at this spot and later a temple was constructed by the king Devanarayana of Chembagasery.
Payasam, Vada, Appam are normally offered to the Goddess as Naivedyam. The first Sunday of December is celebrated in this temple as a women's festival. On that Day all functions of the temple are carried out by women only.
The temple timings are 5 AM to 10.30 AM and between 5 to 8 PM.

Chettikulangara Bharani

This temple is very famous in Kerala, as it is believed that the deity of the Bhagawathy temple has miraculous healing powers. The temple situates in Mavelikkara. In February and March the temple is teeming with life as the festival of Bharani takes place during this time. The temple comes alive with activities and grand feasts. The Bharani festival celebrated in the month of Kumbham is quite an event to the people of this locality and neighbouring places. This festival celebrated with pomp and gaiety is now been widely known as the Kumbhamela of South. Lakhs of people from different parts of Kerala and abroad visit Chettikulangara to participate in this event.

The entrance of the Haripad 

Subrahmanya Swami temple

The highlight of the festival is Kuthiyottam and Kettukazha. Kuthiyottam is performed as an important offering to the deity. This is a ritual dance practiced and perfected through several centuries. It can be witnessed in several houses of Chettikulangara and in neighbouring areas. The houses are decorated, and the portrait of the deity is installed in temporary structures. Kuthiyottam starts a week before Bharani day. It is a type of folk dance performed by youths with the accompaniment of folk music and other musical instruments.

Chettikulangara Kettukazhcha,
conducted every year on the Bharani Nakshathram of Malayalam month ‘Kumbham - It is probably the most amazing cultural visual spectacle in Kerala, similar to the Thrissur Pooram.
The event is an offering of the people of Chettikulangara to their beloved deity known for her spontaneous blessings on true devotees as a mark of gratitude, devotion, unflinching faith, and for showering prosperity and protection to their lives. ‘Kettukazhcha’ displays deftly sculpted and decorated forms of ‘ six temple cars known as ‘Kuthiras’, five Therus’ (Chariots ) and icons of Bhima and Hanuman. All the temple cars, chariots and the icons are all incredibly gigantic in size and are many times larger than any other similar Kuthiras and Therus built during the festivities at other temples in the Central Travancore region.
Kuttanad

 There is no recorded history on the origin of this land. But the oral history among local people, transferred from generation to generation is a blend of myths and legends. There is reference to Kuttanad in the epic Mahabharata of ancient India. During their exile, the five Pandava princes are said to have traveled through this land. In those days, Kuttanad was part of a dense forest, later destroyed by a forest fire which is also mentioned in the epic. Thus came the place name Chuttanad or the burnt place. In course of time Chuttanad became Kuttanad. One can still see kari or coal if we dig deep into the soil of Kuttanad, pointing to the fact that the place was once a forest, destroyed by wild fire. In Kuttanad most of the place names end in kari. Some familiar place names are Ramankary, Oorukkary, Mitrakkary, Mampuzhakkary, Kainakari, and Chennamkari.

Krishnapuram Palace
The magnificent palace is situated at Kayamkulam 47 km. from Alappuzha on the way to Kollam. The palace is a master piece of Kerala architecture with gabled roofs, dormer windows and narrow corridors and so on. The palace also houses one of the largest single panel Mural paintings, discovered in Kerala known as 'Gajendra Moksha', which measures 53 sq.ft in area. A museum inside the palace, displays antique sculptures and paintings.