Alappuzha is called the ‘Venice of the East’ due to the canals that connect it to Kerala's famous backwaters. Alappuzha, in Kerala, is also known as Alleppey. This relatively small town is located 70 kilometres south of Cochin. It is situated at the south-western tip of Vembanad Lake, with the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers. Alappuzha has a large number of lovely criss-crossing canals, which were once busy waterways. There is a port and a 137 year old pier, criss-cross roads and numerous bridges across them and long unbroken coastline of dazzling palm-fringed beaches.
Alappuzha is a pleasant easy-going town full of shady streets set around a grid of canals spilling into the sea. This is the most popular place to plan a foray into the backwaters. A stop in Alappuzha means a relaxing soak in some tropical village life.
Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist destination, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.
The backwaters, unique to Kerala, are a fascinating thoroughfare and lifeline of Alappuzha and traveling by boat along the backwaters is one of the highlights of this place. These serene waterways are fringed by palm grove and paddy fields and one can really relax amidst the quiet scenes of rustic life drifting by. Alappuzha is known for its houseboat tours into the back water canals. Travelling through the backwaters is extremely hypnotic, you can't seem to take your eyes away from the water, it's mesmerising. This area was originally a series of lakes which have been linked by canals. Little villages sprung up along these narrow canals which make it interesting to explore. A trip in these huge floating homes, driving up and down the wider estuaries surrounded with the lush green scenery makes for a relaxing experience.
In early 20th Century, on a visit to the State to Alleppey, now Alappuzha, Lord Curzon the then Viceroy of the Indian Empire was fascinated by its lush scenic beauty. He said, “Here nature has spent up on the land her richest bounties”. In his exhilaration, it is said, he exclaimed, “Alleppey, the Venice of the East”. The sobriquet stuck and so Alappuzha became the Venice of the East.
Alappuzha’s wonderful past says that it was once a commercial hub. In 1775-76, the port at Purakkad, also known as Ambalappuzha or Chamapakasseri, saw a decline necessitating the rehabilitation of traders and Alappuzha was then chosen by Dewan Rajakeshavadas to be the new port. Alappuzha has a 13-metre long mud bank in the sea, making the waters as calm as in a lagoon thus offering good anchorage. The jungles were cleared and canals connecting the backwaters to the port were built. The port city of Alappuzha was then created along the guidelines of modern town planning concepts by the Dewan with the support of the Raja of Travancore and Velu Thampi Dalawa. It has since grown to be a major port in Travancore State, prospering due to trading, the fisheries centre, and its coir industry.
