If Kerala is known as ‘God’s Own Country’ then Alappuzha is known as the ‘Venice of the East’. Alappuzha is well known for backwaters and houseboats. However, this beautiful coastal district has such awesome natural beauty that you would feel like spending the rest of your life here.
Here are some of the best places to visit in Alappuzha, so that your escapade is nothing less than magnificent.
Krishnapuram Palace
The Krishnapuram Palace is well known for its grand Kerala architecture, gabled roof, narrow corridors and dormer windows. The palace-cum museum houses the 'Gajendra Moksham', one of the biggest wall paintings in Kerala. This superb example of great architectural design is among the prominent places to visit in Alappuzha.
Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple
Believed to have been built in 790 AD, the Sri Krishna Temple in Alappuzha is a Hindu temple famous for the ‘palpayasam’, a delicious sweet pudding made of rice and milk offered to the deities as well as the visitors there. Famous among visitors as the ‘Dwaraka of the South’, this temple is among the highly recommended places to see in Alappuzha district.
Alappuzha Beach
With dense palm groves, a beautiful park nearby, an ancient lighthouse, pristine sceneries, and a charming blend of the sea, canals, lagoons and freshwater rivers all nearby, the Alappuzha Beach is among the best places to visit. The picturesque beach is the popular location for many movies. The beach is a paradise for people seeking relaxation as well as for those interested in parasailing, beach volleyball and surfing.
Kuttanad
Popularly known in the South as the Rice Bowl of Kerala, the village of Kuttanad is one of the few places in the world where farming is carried out below sea level. Its vast picturesque paddy fields, the various activities of toddy tapping, duck farming, coconut cultivation and fishing, allure tourists from all over the world. It is considered one of the best tourist places in Alappuzha for its spicy curries and finger-licking delicacies.
St. Mary's Forane Church
One of the oldest and most beautiful Christian churches in the country, the St. Mary's Forane Church belongs to the Syro-Malabar Church under the archeparchy of Changanacherry. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Alappuzha owing to its magnificent sculpture, murals, and the stunning views of the backwaters flowing adjacent to it.
