Alappuzha district Alleppey district | |
|---|---|
      Clockwise from top: Kettuvallam,Thottappally,Alappuzha Beach,Infopark Campus, Cherthala,Alappuzha Bypass, andKrishnapuram Palace at Kayamkulam. | |
| Nickname: | |
 Location inKerala | |
 Alappuzha district | |
| Coordinates:9°29′N76°29′E / 9.49°N 76.49°E /9.49; 76.49 | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Kerala |
| Headquarters | Alappuzha |
| Subdivisions | Revenue divisions (2)
Taluks (6)
|
| Government | |
| • District Collector | Alex Varghese,IAS |
| • District Police Chief | MP Mohanachandran IPS[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,414 km2 (546 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 14th |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 2,127,789 |
| • Density | 1,505/km2 (3,897/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam,English |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| ISO 3166 code | IN-KL |
| Vehicle registration | KL-04Alappuzha, KL-29Kayamkulam, KL-30Chengannur, KL-31Mavelikara, KL-32Cherthala, KL-66Kuttanad |
| HDI(2005) |  0.794[4] ( High) |
| Website | alappuzha.nic.in |
Alappuzha district (Malayalam:[ɐːlɐpːuɻɐ]ⓘ), is one of the 14districts in theIndian state ofKerala. It was formed asAlleppey district on 17 August 1957, the name of the district being changed toAlappuzha in 1990.[5] Alappuzha is the smallest district of Kerala.[6] Alleppey town, the district headquarters, was renamedAlappuzha in 2012.
A town withcanals,backwaters,beaches, andlagoons,Alappuzha was described byGeorge Curzon, theBritishGovernor-General of India in the beginning of the 20th century CE, as the "Venice of theEastern world."[1] The district is best known for its picturesqueKerala Backwaters, by which it is well connected to other parts ofKerala, including the tourist destination ofKumarakom, the district being a well known tourist destination in India. It is also known for itscoir factories, as most of Kerala's coir industries are situated in and around the Alappuzha town.
TheVembanad lake, which lies below the sea level, is the longest lake in theIndian peninsula, and the district of Alappuzha lies between this lake and theArabian Sea.[7]Kuttanad region of the Alappuzha district, which lies below the sea level, is the point of leastelevation in the entireIndia.[7]Kuttanad, also known asThe Rice Bowl of Kerala, has thelowest altitude in India, and is also one of the few places in the world where cultivation takes place below sea level.[8][9]
The district was home to theCommunist-ledPunnapra-Vayalar uprising against theDivan of theBritishPrincely state ofTravancore in the 1940s.[10]
[Mariners club Alleppey (MCA)] established in the year 2024, By a group of seafarer sailing in merchant navy.][1][10]
Carved out of the erstwhileKollam andKottayam districts, most of the modern-dayAlappuzha district was part of theQuilon district of theTravancore Kingdom, with a small portion in the northern Alappuzha were part of theKottayam district of theTravancore Kingdom until 1957.[11] when the modern Alappuzha district was formed. Alappuzha district was formed on 17 August 1957 and consisted initially of seventaluks, namelyCherthala,Ambalappuzha,Kuttanad,Chengannur,Karthikappally andMavelikkara.[12]
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 byKochi and Kanayannur taluks ofErnakulam district, on the east byVaikom, Kottayam andChanganassery taluks of Kottayam district and Thiruvalla,Kozhencherry andAdoor taluks ofPathanamthitta district, on the South byKunnathur andKarunagappally taluks ofKollam district and on the west by Laccadive Sea.[13]
Present-day Alappuzha district comprises six taluks, namely Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad, Karthikappally, Chengannur and Mavelikkara.[14] The area of the district is 1,414 km2 (546 sq mi). Its headquarters is located at Alappuzha.
The present-day town ofAlappuzha owes its existence toRaja Kesavadas during the second half of the 18th century CE. However the district of Alappuzha had an important position in the classicalMalayalam literature.Kuttanad, therice bowl of Kerala, was well known from the earlySangam period itself.[15]
History records that the region which now constitutes the modern-daydistrict ofAlappuzha had trade relations with the ancientGreece, the ancientRome, the ancientLevant, the ancientArabian peninsula, and theAncient Egypt during theSangam period in the early centuries of theCommon Era.[16]
The ancient port town ofBarace which is recorded as an important centre of theIndian Ocean trade in the ancientGreco-Roman travelogues such as thePeriplus of the Erythraean Sea (written around 50 CE) is often identified with the modern-day coastal town ofPurakkad on the mouth of thePamba River in the Alappuzha district.[17] This river is also the third-longest river inKerala only after to thePeriyar river and theBharathappuzha river.[7]
Early members of theChera dynasty had their home in Kuttanad and were sometimes known as theKuttuvans.[17] However the regions south of thePamba River was ruled by theAy kingdom during the ancient period. Pamba is mentioned asBaris in the ancient Greco-Roman travelogues.[17] There are archaeological evidences of the early period of this district, including ancient fossils, stone inscriptions and monuments, in the archeological sites like the excavation sites, the caves, the temples, etc. The literary works of theSangam period also help to take a look into the ancient period of the district.[17]
Alappuzha district was once a prominent centre ofBuddhism inSouth India prior to the arrival ofNambudiriBrahmins into the region.[17]Sri Mulavasam was then a prominent Buddhist pilgrimage centre in theIndian peninsula. Numerous remnants of once flourishedBuddhism have been found from thetaluks ofAmbalappuzha andMavelikara.[17]
The regions included in the district had a prominent position in the medievalMalayalam literary works such asUnnuneeli Sandesam.[17] One among the famous literary works of this period was theAscharya Choodamani, aSanskrit drama written bySakthibhadra who was a scholar fromChengannur.[18]
The feudal monarch of Chempakasseri was at its zenith during the reign of Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan, a great scholar and a poet who was also the author of the literary workVedantha Ratnamala. It is said thatAmbalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, atAmbalappuzha, was constructed and the idol ofLord Krishna installed during that time. Chempakassery was ruled byBrahmin monarchs during the medieval period.[17]
It is believed thatMelpathur Narayana Bhattathiri, Kumaran Namboothiri, and Neelakanta Deekshithar were eminent scholars who patronized his court.[16]
The southern regions of the modern-day Alappuzha district once formed part of the erstwhile "kingdom ofOdanad" (also known as the "kingdom ofKayamkulam" or known by the name "Onattukara"), which was later invaded by theTravancorean forces in the year 1746.[17] It was a branch of the ancientAy kingdom.[17] It was also known as theChirava Swaroopam, where the wordChirava derives from the combination of twoMalayalam words,Cheru andAayi, which means "a smaller branch of theAy kingdom".[17] It included some parts of the modern-dayTaluks ofChengannur,Mavelikara,Karthikappally, andKarunagappally.[17]
The northernmost region of the district, which curresponds to the present-day Taluk ofCherthala, was ruled by the "Kingdom of Karappuram" prior to the 1762 treaty that was signed between the kingdom ofTravancore and theKingdom of Cochin.[17] Karappuram was a tributary of theKingdom of Cochin until 1762 when it was handed over to the kingdom ofTravancore. The headquarters of the "Madathingal branch" of theCochin Royal family was situated at Madathinkara in Karappuram.[17]
South of Karappuram lied the "Chempakassery kingdom" which was also known by the name the "Kingdom ofPurakkad" prior to theTravancorean conquest of 1746.[17] The kingdom of Chempakassery included the modern-day Taluks ofAmbalappuzha andKuttanad. The monarch of Chempakassery was known by the title "Chempakassery Deva Narayanan".[17]Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri andKunchan Nambiar, who originally hailed from theSouth Malabar region, were court poets of the Chempakassery kingdom at times.[17]
Karthikappally was a smallfeudal kingdom that lied between the feudal kingdoms ofOdanad and Chempakassery until the Travancorean invasion of the mid-18th century CE, which curresponds to the modern-day Taluk of Karthikappally.[17] The southernmost portion of the district had been once part of the erstwhile feudal kingdom ofKarunagappally, which had been subordinate to theChirava Swaroopam (Kayamkulam) at times.[17]
In the 17th century thePortuguese power declined on theMalabar Coast and theDutch Malabar gained a predominant position in the principalities of this district.[5] The church located atKokkamangalam or Kokkothamangalam is believed to be one of the seven churches founded by St.Thomas the Apostle, one of the twelve disciples ofJesus Christ according to the oral traditions. The picturesqueCSI Christ Church in Alappuzha town was built in 1816 by the first CMS (Church Missionary Society) missionary to India, Rev. Thomas Norton. It was the firstAnglicanChurch to be established in the erstwhile state ofTravancore.[citation needed]
It was during the mid-18th century CE that the MaharajaMarthanda Varma, popularly known as the ‘Architect of the Modern Travancore’, interfered in the political affairs of the smaller feudal principalities who ruled parts of the district.Marthandavarma Maharaja had a remarkable role in the internal progress of the district. TheKrishnapuram Palace, which is now a protected monument of the State Archaeology Department, was constructed during his administrative period. He was known as the "Architect of the Modern Alleppey" and played a key role in makingAlappuzha a premier port town ofTravancore.[5]
During the reign of Balaramavarma Maharaja,Velu Thampi Dalava took keen interest in the development of the town and the port. He brought whole area of thePathiramanal island into coconut cultivation and it's larger tracts into paddy cultivation. The role of Velu Thampi Dalava in the development of Alappuzha is worth mentioning. In the 19th century the district attained progress in all spheres.[5]
Kayamkulam Kochunni was a heroic outlaw fromKayamkulam who lived during the 19th century CE.[19] The 19th centurysocial reformerArattupuzha Velayudha Panicker hails from the modern-day district of Alappuzha.[20]
The first modern factory for the manufacture ofCoir mats and mattings was also established in 1859 at Alappuzha. The Alappuzha Town Improvement Committee was set up in 1894.[5] During theTravancorean administration,Cherthala taluk was included in theNorthern division (Kottayam division) while rest of the Taluks which together constitute the modern-day district of Alappuzha was placed under theCentral division (Kollam division) of theBritishPrincely state ofTravancore.[21]
This district played a prominent role in the freedom struggle ofTravancore. The campaign for the eradication ofUntouchability was organized much earlier in this district byT.K. Madhavan, a journalist and in 1925 the approach roads to the temples, especially to theAmbalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, were thrown open to theHindus of all castes. The district also witnessed the 'Nivarthana' movement which was started as a protest against the constitutional repression in 1932. The firstpolitical strike in Kerala was held at Alappuzha in 1938.[5] The district was home to theCommunist-ledPunnapra-Vayalar uprising against theDivan of theBritishPrincely state ofTravancore in the 1940s.[10]
Alappuzha is on a peninsular landmass between the Arabian Sea and the Vembanad lake. Major rivers are theManimala, thePamba, and theAchankovil; their branches and tributaries flow through Alappuzha and empty into the Vembanad lake. The most important lake isVembanad.[22]
Alappuzha was the only district in Kerala without public forest land. But that changed in 2013, when 14.5 acres (5.9 ha) of land atVeeyapuram was declared as reserved forest by the Forest and Wildlife Department.[23]
Pathiramanal island on the Vembanad lake of Alappuzha district is famous for rare migrating birds.[24]
Alappuzha city is the administrative headquarters of the Alappuzha district. The district is divided into two revenue divisions-Alappuzha and Chengannur.[6]
There are 6 municipal towns in the district. They are:[25]
There are twoLok Sabha constituencies in Alappuzha:Alappuzha andMavelikara.
There are nineKerala Legislative Assembly seats in Alappuzha district.[26]
| Sl no. | Constituency | Member | Party | Alliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aroor | Daleema | CPI(M) | LDF |
| 2 | Cherthala | P. Prasad | CPI | LDF |
| 3 | Alappuzha | P. P. Chitharanjan | CPI(M) | LDF |
| 4 | Ambalappuzha | H. Salam | CPI(M) | LDF |
| 5 | Kuttanad | Thomas K. Thomas | NCP | LDF |
| 6 | Haripad | Ramesh Chennithala | INC | UDF |
| 7 | Kayamkulam | U Prathiba | CPI(M) | LDF |
| 8 | Mavelikara | M. S. Arun Kumar | CPI(M) | LDF |
| 9 | Chengannur | Saji Cherian | CPI(M) | LDF |
The district is divided into two revenue divisions which together incorporate sixTaluks within them.[27]
| Cherthala | Ambalappuzha | Kuttanad[27] |
| Karthikappally | Mavelikkara | Chengannur[27] |
Alappuzha district is divided into 93 revenue villages for the ease and decentralisation of its revenue administration.[27] They are further incorporated into 6taluks as eludicated below.[27]
List of Collectors of Alappuzha District according to length of tenure in descending order. The longest serving District Collector of Alappuzha was K. Balakrishna Kurup and the shortest serving District Collector wasSriram Venkitaraman.
K. Balakrishna Kurup served for 1146 days from 2 June 1980 to 23 July 1983, but from July 26, 2022, to August 2, 2022,Sriram Venkitaraman served for only 7 days from 26 July 2022 to 2 August 2022.[28]
| # | Collector | Number of days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sriram Venkitaraman | 7 |
| 2 | P. Venugopal | 20 |
| 3 | P. M. Abraham | 38 |
| 4 | V. Retheesan | 42 |
| 5 | V. K. Vasudevan | 73 |
| 6 | K. J. John | 85 |
| 7 | Mini Antony | 100 |
| 8 | P. Venugopal | 102 |
| 9 | Adeela Abdulla | 141 |
| 10 | Renu Raj | 144 |
| 11 | K. R. Viswambharan | 170 |
| 12 | R. Girija | 176 |
| 13 | M. Anjana | 196 |
| 14 | Paul Antony | 212 |
| 15 | K. B. Warrier | 228 |
| 16 | Saurabh Jain | 230 |
| 17 | P. Venugopal | 240 |
| 18 | Romanus Horo | 261 |
| 19 | T. V. Anupama | 281 |
| 20 | E. Shahul Hameed | 282 |
| 21 | K. M. Abraham | 305 |
| 22 | V. R. Padmanabahan | 309 |
| 23 | P. Velayudhan nair | 315 |
| 24 | N. C. Surendran | 350 |
| 25 | P. Sreedhara Menon | 352 |
| 26 | M. N. Gunavardhanan | 363 |
| 27 | Veena N. Madhavan | 371 |
| 28 | Suhas S. | 377 |
| 29 | K. B. A. Hameed | 379 |
| 30 | A. K. K. Nambiar | 396 |
| 31 | S. Ayyappan Nair | 397 |
| 32 | Pradeepkumar | 416 |
| 33 | M. N. Gunavardhanan | 419 |
| 34 | Kshatrapati Shivaji | 439 |
| 35 | K. Ramunni Menon | 444 |
| 36 | N. Kaleeswaran | 462 |
| 37 | K. Narayanan | 463 |
| 38 | M. Dandapani | 463 |
| 39 | V. J. Kurian | 481 |
| 40 | T. V. Swaminathan | 530 |
| 41 | K. Rose | 590 |
| 42 | A. Alexandar | 637 |
| 43 | P. Venugopal | 646 |
| 44 | K. R. Muraleedharan | 649 |
| 45 | K. Bhaskaran Nair | 684 |
| 46 | V. K. Balakrishnan | 686 |
| 47 | C. P. Ramakrishna Pillai | 695 |
| 48 | Jose Cyriac K. | 760 |
| 49 | R. Narayanan | 795 |
| 50 | T. G. Rajendran | 895 |
| 51 | K. M. Ramanandan | 931 |
| 52 | P. Bharathan | 988 |
| 53 | K. Sivasankaran Nair | 993 |
| 54 | N. Padmakumar | 1039 |
| 55 | K. Balakrishna Kurup | 1146 |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 509,545 | — |
| 1911 | 585,094 | +1.39% |
| 1921 | 693,538 | +1.71% |
| 1931 | 865,222 | +2.24% |
| 1941 | 983,184 | +1.29% |
| 1951 | 1,165,845 | +1.72% |
| 1961 | 1,404,269 | +1.88% |
| 1971 | 1,671,286 | +1.76% |
| 1981 | 1,865,455 | +1.11% |
| 1991 | 2,001,217 | +0.70% |
| 2001 | 2,109,160 | +0.53% |
| 2011 | 2,127,789 | +0.09% |
| source:[29] | ||
| Area | 1414 km2 – 3.64% of area of the state |
| Population | 2,127,789 – 6.61% of the population of the state (2011) |
| Population density | 1504/km2 (2011) |
| Literacy | 97.36%–94.24% (2011) |
| Sex ratio | 1100 females/1000 males |
| Urbanization | 29.46% |
[30]According to the2011 census, Alappuzha district has apopulation of 2,127,789,[31] roughly equal to the nation ofNamibia[32] or the US state ofNew Mexico.[33] This gives it a ranking of 216th in India (out of a total of640).[citation needed] The district has a population density of 1,504 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,900/sq mi) .[31] Itspopulation growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 0.88%.[31] Alappuzha has asex ratio of 1100females for every 1000 males,[31] and aliteracy rate of 95.72%. 53.96% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 9.46% and 0.31% of the population respectively.[31]
Malayalam is the predominant language, spoken by 99.00% of the population. There is a small minority ofKonkani speakers in urban areas.[34]
It has the highestpopulation density among all districts of the state. It is 29.46% urbanized,[35] and is the smallest district inKerala.
| Religion | Percent | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hinduism | 68.64% | |||
| Christianity | 20.45% | |||
| Islam | 10.55% | |||
| Other or not stated | 0.36% | |||
In the 2011 Indian Census, theHindu population is 68.64%,Christian (Orthodox, Marthoma, Pentecostal and Latin Catholic are majority and Syro Malabar Catholics) 20.45, andMuslim 10.55.[36]
National Highway 66 (India) is one of the longest national highways in India. It connectsPanvel toKanyakumari passes through the city and allow to connect other major cities likeMumbai,Goa,Udupi,Mangalore,Kannur,Kozhikode,Guruvayur,Ernakulam,Kollam, andTrivandrum. The construction of theAlappuzha Bypass, to route the national highway around city centers between Kommady andKalarkode, is completed; and the highway was opened on 28 January 2021. Alappuzha is also well connected by road. There is a plan to upgradeState Highway 11 (Kerala) to national highway status which helps to connect Alappuzha toKodaikanal as part of promoting coastal-hill tourism project.[37]
There are eight state highways in Alappuzha district and three of them originates from Alappuzha town.State Highway 11 (Kerala) is a state Highway that starts inKalarcode, Alappuzha and ends inPerunna,Changanassery. The road is popularly known as AC road (Alappuzha Changanassery) road and it has 24.2 km length. It's an important busy road which connects Alappuzha city withKottayam district.State Highway 40 (Kerala) is an interstate state highway in Alappuzha district which connects with Alappuzha town toMadurai,Tamil Nadu. It's the only interstate state highway in Alappuzha district.State Highway 66 (Kerala) is a state highway which originates from Alappuzha town and terminates atThoppumpady,Ernakulam.
Main Central Road is the arterial State Highway in the Travancore region of Kerala state. It is designated as SH 1 by the Kerala Public Works Department. It passes throughChengannur town of Alappuzha district and helps it to connect with other parts ofKerala.State Highway 5 (Kerala) is another State Highway that starts in Kayamkulam and ends at Pulimukku junction. The highway is 42.5 km long.State Highway 6 (Kerala) starts inKayamkulam and ends inThiruvalla. This highway has 30.8 km length.State Highway 10 (Kerala) is a State Highway that starts in Mavelikkara and ends in Kozhencherry. The highway is 28.7 km long.State Highway 12 (Kerala) that starts inAmbalappuzha and ends inThiruvalla and has 27.2 km length.[38]
Following are the vehicle registrations in Alappuzha District:
Old structure:-Following are the old registration numbers in Alappuzha District:-
Because of the abundance of waterways, boats and ferries are integral to the transportation system in Alappuzha.[39]National Waterway 3 also passes through the area.[39] There is an SWTD boat jetty in the city that lies opposite to theKSRTC bus stand. It is served by boat services to towns likeKottayam,Kollam andChanganassery besides to other small towns and jetties.[citation needed]
Alappuzha district has two railway lines.Ernakulam–Kayamkulam coastal railway line primarily links withHaripad railway station,Alappuzha railway station,Cherthala railway station andKayamkulam Junction railway station, WhereasErnakulam-Kottayam-Kollam line connects the eastern region of district and that isChengannur railway station andMavelikara railway station.[40]
The city is accessible by air, rail, road and water.Cochin International Airport, which is 78 kilometres (48 mi) to the North, is the closest airport.Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 159 kilometres (99 mi) to the South, is the other airport that links the district with other countries. International tourists use this facility to reach Alappuzha. The other nearest airports are atKozhikode (236 kilometres (147 mi)) andCoimbatore (254 kilometres (158 mi)). A helipad in the city is reserved for government uses.
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Snake boat races are the most significant traditional event in Alleppey. Theseregattas are usually held between August and October, and involve long thin boats powered by up to 120 oarsmen. One such snake boat race is theNehru Trophy Boat Race.
Chemmeen was filmed in two villages in Alappuzha. In the opening credits, a written statement inMalayalam thanks the people of both villages.
The name Alappuzha is derived fromAal (Sea)+puzha (River-mouth) ("The joining place of a river and the sea") (Malayalam). Alappuzha is one of the most important tourist centres in the state, with a large network of inland canals, earning it thesobriquet "Venice of the East". These large networks of canals are Alleppey's lifeline. Alappuzha was one of the busiest centers of trade in the past, with one of the best-known ports along theMalabar coast. Even today it retains its charm as the center for theCoir carpet industry andprawn farming.
Alappuzha, the ideal headquarters for backwater tourism, as well as for visits to the church-filled town ofKottayam and the town ofAranmula, which are known for their historic annual Aranmula Snake Boat Race.Chengannur, in Alappuzha, is the nearest railway station toSabarimala.
TheKrishnapuram Palace is inKayamkulam.
TheBuddha idol and Saradha Mandiram are the main attractions ofMavelikkara. The Buddha statue is in a seated posture, resemblingPadmasana. A feature common to the idols is that hair has not been engraved on the head. Studies by the archaeology department have not been able to explain the absence of hair, which is common to Buddha statues of the Gandhara and Mathura traditions. The head has markings resembling headgear. Although the department has made apagoda-like structure for the statue, no information on the idol is available to tourists who visit the area. Local people in the area light lamps before the idol. The idol at Mavelikara is 4 feet (1.2 m) high and is perhaps the biggest. The engravings on the head resemble a helmet of Greek statues. The mark of a sacred thread is visible on the body. Another feature is the marking of ashawl on one shoulder. Here the archaeological department has put up a sign specifying the age of the statue. Saradha Mandiram was the residence ofKerala Panini.
Alappuzha is also known for its snake-boat races held on the second Saturday of August, every year. This competition; the Nehru boat race takes its name from India's first prime ministerJawaharlal Nehru, which was inaugurated in 1952. It is excitement all around as snake-boats, each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind.
The Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum features displays of art and artifacts.Revi Karunakaran was the architect of a modernizedCoir industry that still employs more than 500,000 people in the state of Kerala. The objects displayed at the Museum were collected by his family over three generations and feature unique artistic pieces from all parts of the world.
Alappuzha, the district headquarters, is a town with picturesquecanals,backwaters andlagoons, was described as the "Venice of the East" byLord Curzon.[41]
Chettikulangara Bharani is the most important festival in Alappuzha district. The festival is one among the important temple festivals of Kerala. A Chettikulagara Bhagavathi Temple, a temple dedicated to the GoddessBhagavathi is about four kilometers fromMavelikkara and six kilometers fromkayamkulam. The festival occurs on the Bharaniasterism in February/March. The main rituals of the festival are the 'Kuthiyottam' and 'Kettukazcha'. The 'Kuthiyottam' features a procession of young boys who have observed rigorous ritual penance. Traditional drums, music and glittering ornamental parasols accompany this procession of boys who dance in a trance.
TheSt. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal &St. Thomas Church, Thumpoly in Alappuzha District is noted for the annual feast, popularly known as Arthunkal Perunnal, Thumpoly Perunnal (perunnal means feast). The feast is held in December & January every year.
'Chirappu Mahotsavam' is an important occasion atMullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple in December. Christmas comes in between the festival and Alappuzha town is a really happening place at the time. The streets are full of wandering markets and entertainment ventures like circuses and exhibitions. The streets are crowded throughout the month and there is a 'Shiveli' or the magnificent display of nine Tuskers accompanied by the 'Chenda' and the 'Panchavadyam' music.
PadanilamSivarathri is another important religious event in Alappuzha district. This festival is held every year in thePadanilam Parabrahma Temple. The temple is situated in the small town ofPadanilam. Padanilam is situated 'about 16 km fromMavelikkara town.
A grand annual festival is celebrated at the unique Nagaraja Temple (Mannarasala Temple, Vettikodu Nagaraja Temple) in October/November. Another festival celebrated by the temple is a one-day ThaipooyanKavadi. The Chandanakudam is celebrated at the Kidangam-Parampu Temple during December every year. Kottamkulangara Temple in Alappuzha has two festive seasons in February and March, because of the two deities with separate flag masts in the same compound wall.
The Kandamangalam Rajarajeshwari Temple is located in Kadakkarappally, Cherthala 1 km west of Thankey junction on NH 47. The annual festival comes in March–April. Chikkara, offering of children to the mother goddess during the festival, is the major attraction. The Chamanju Valathu of children starts on the 2nd day of the festival and lasts until the 8th day. Procession namedThalappoli start on the flag-hoisting day itself. The holy bath (Aarattu) of the goddess is held in a pool within the temple compound on the 10th day of festival.Elephant processions,fireworks, stage shows, etc. are major events that attract thousands of devotees and others.
The churches here celebrate grand annual feasts. The 'Arthunkal Perunnal' feast is celebrated at the Arthunkal Church. Also, the big major Christian feast are the feast's at Edathwa(Edathua) Church and Thumpoli Church Alappuzha, Pallipuram church cherthala. Theregatta forms part of many festivals here in many places. The annualVallam Kali (Nehru Trophy Boat Race) is held in thebackwaters in the month of September associated with theOnam festival. The main attraction is theChundan Vallam (Snake Boat) race, in which a number of contestants are in the running for the Prime Minister's trophy. Another celebration in Alappuzha is the "Beach Festival", held from 30 December to 2 January. The annual festival conducted in Champakulam "Valiya Palli" is another big festival.
V. S. AchuthanandanFormer Chief Minister of Kerala.
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