Rice Land of Kerala

Alappuzha, the Headquarters of the district, is an ancient centre of trade and commerce. The town is popularly known as " VENICE OF THE EAST'. The most famous attraction in Alappuzha is the NEHRU CUP SNAKE BOAT RACE, which is conducted every second Saturday of August each year. With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons, and fresh water rivers criss crossing it. Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. The exciting and unforgettable BOAT CRUISES between Alappuzha and Kollam offer intimate glimpses of backwater life and an unforgettable journey watching Coir making, boat building, toddy tapping, fish farming and the rugged village life. This backwater country is also home to diverse animal and bird life. Alappuzha district occupies a prominent place in the tourist map of Kerala by Interlocked with lakes and canals. The Vembanad Lake stretching up to Kochi, the rivers Achankovil, Manimala and Pamba and a net work of canals in the district are used for inland navigation. The vast stretch of paddy fields of Kuttanad, which is popularly known as the ‘rice bowl of Kerala,’ is perhaps the only place in the world where farming is done below sea level is in this district. Coir and coir products form a thriving industry in this district.
By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today Alappuzha is grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holydays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Here, one can see coconut husks being beaten into fiber for making beautiful mats and coir products. 
Facts About Alappuzha
Language: Malayalam
Altitude: Sea Level
Area: 1256 sq. Kms
Population: 1,990,603 (1991 census)
Rainfall (May - Nov.): 170 cm
Tourist Season: Aug-Mar
Climate: Warm tropical
Clothing: Tropical Cottons
Altitude: Sea Level

Places to visit
Ambalappuzha: It is a little town 14 km south of Alappuzha, famous for Sri Krishna Temple. The Ambalappuzha Palpayasom- a sweet porridge of milk, rice and sugar – offered to the diety is very delicious and popular. The annual temple festival is in March/April. The temple has also another significance. It was in this temple that the 16th century poet Kunjan Nambiar staged his first Ottan Thullal, a solo dance performance with high social content. 
The St. Andrew’s Church: This known pilgrim centre is near Cherthala, 22 km north of Alappuzha. The Portuguese missionaries established this St. Andrew’s Church better known as Arthunkal Church. Annual festival Arthunkal Perunnal - the feast of the patron saint (January). 
Krishnapuram Palace: It is an 18th century palace built by the Travancore King, Marthanda Varma at Kayamkulam. It is a double storied structure displaying the characteristics of Kerala architecture. At the western end of the ground floor is seen a painting of ‘Gajendra moksham’, one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala. It measures 14 feet by 11 feet. Inside the palace, there is a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes. 
Punnappra: Punnappra near Alappuzha has gone down into history as the battle ground between the Communists and the erst-while Travancore state police in the Punnappra- Vayalar Communist uprising of 1946. A memorial to the martyrs stands testimony to the event, which the state Government declared as a pat of the freedom struggle 
Aranmula: The Parthasarathi temple (dedicated to Load Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna in Pandava - Kourava war) on the banks of the holy river Pamba attracts large crowds of devotees. The famed Aranmula Boat Race is held on the last day of weeklong Onam festival. The Vijnana Kalavedi at Aranmula imparts training in the traditional arts like Kathakali, classical dances, classical music, as well as kalaripayattu. Foreign tourists stay here for long periods to get a first hand knowledge of the culture of Kerala. The Vishnu Temple here has fine murals from the 18th century. Aranmula is fast emerging as an important summer resort. Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirrors, which make good souvenirs. 
Aranmula Boat Race: The famous water fiesta, which is held during Onam (August - September). The snake boats assemble near Sri. Parthasarathi Temple before the grand procession. Each boat is 30 ft long and accommodates 4 helmsmen, 100 rowers and 25 singers. The snake boats move in pairs to the rhythm of full-throated singing and shouting, watched by excited crowd 
Pathiramanal: According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions, and water made way for land to rise from below. Thus creating the enchanting island of Pathiramanal (sands of midnight). This little island on the backwaters is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. 
Kuttanad: Kuttanad is called as the rice bowl of Kerala, because for her wealth of paddy crops are at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of bananas, cassava and yams, which accompany the rice bowl as "side dishes". This is perhaps the only land in the world where farming is done below sea level. Inland waterways, which flow above land level, are an amazing feature of this unique land. 
Mannarasala: Situated near Harippad, is a serpent shrine under the patronage of a Brahmin family, headed by a priestess. Legend has it that the first priestess of Mannarasala gave birth to a five headed snake, which is believed to reside in the ancestral houses to safeguard the family. At Mannarasala barren women are believed to be blessed with children, and a special turmeric paste available at the shrine is credited with powers to cure even leprosy.

Boat Races: Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Pannamada Kayal - second Saturday of August Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race - Last Saturday of August.

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race - Moolam day of Mithunam – July

Payippad Jalotsavam - 4th Onam day - August/September

Neerattupuram Boat Race- Onam - August/September.