Alapuzha







Alappuzha District: A Gateway to Kerala's Backwaters

Alappuzha, also known by its anglicized name Alleppey, was established as a separate district on August 17, 1957, carved from parts of the former Kottayam and Kollam districts. Initially, it comprised seven taluks—Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Karthikappally, and Mavelikkara. Today, it includes six taluks, with Thiruvalla later reassigned to Pathanamthitta.

The name "Alappuzha" is derived from the geographical nature of the region—‘a land situated between the sea and a network of rivers’. This narrow strip of land lies wedged between the Arabian Sea on the west and a complex lattice of backwaters, rivers, and canals that interlace its interior.

Geographic Boundaries

  • North: Kochi and Kanayannur Taluks (Ernakulam District)

  • East: Vaikom, Kottayam, and Changanassery Taluks (Kottayam District); Thiruvalla, Adoor, and Kozhencherry Taluks (Pathanamthitta District)

  • South: Kunnathur and Karunagappally Taluks (Kollam District)

  • West: Arabian Sea


Alappuzha at a Glance

  • Headquarters: Alappuzha town

  • Total Area: 1,414 sq.km

  • Number of Taluks: 6

  • Revenue Divisions: 2

  • Villages: 91

  • Panchayats: 73

  • Municipalities: 5

  • Legislative Assembly Constituencies: 11

  • Parliament Constituency: 1 (Alappuzha, and part of Mavelikkara)


Demographics and Literacy

  • Population: Over 2.1 million (6.6% of Kerala’s total)

  • Population Density: ~1,492 persons/sq.km (one of the highest in Kerala)

  • Sex Ratio: 1079 females per 1000 males

  • Literacy Rate: 93.66% (3rd highest in the state)

    • Female Literacy: 91.14%


Topography and Environment

Alappuzha is predominantly a low-lying coastal plain, characterized by sandy shores, backwaters, and paddy fields. There are no major hills or forests, except for a few small mounds in the eastern regions of the district (notably between Bharanikkavu and Chengannur). Taluks such as Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad, and Karthikappally are entirely in the lowland belt. The region is particularly known for Kuttanad, one of the few places in India where farming is done below sea level.


Climate

Alappuzha enjoys a tropical climate with humid and hot coastal weather, slightly cooler in the interior. The district benefits from two monsoons:

  • Hot Season: March to May

  • Southwest Monsoon (Edavappathi): June to September

  • Northeast Monsoon (Thulavarsham): October to November

  • Dry Season: December to February

The average temperature is about 25°C, and annual rainfall averages around 2763 mm. Major rainfall stations include Alappuzha, Cherthala, Haripad, Kayamkulam, and Mavelikkara.


Geological Features

The region features a mix of geological formations:

  • Crystalline Rocks: Archean age charnockites

  • Lateritic Soil: Formed from weathered rocks

  • Tertiary Formations: Warkalli beds (sandstone and clay)

  • Recent Coastal Deposits: Marine, lacustrine, and alluvial sediments


Mineral Wealth

Alappuzha holds important mineral resources including:

  • Glass and Foundry Sand: Found between Alappuzha and Cherthala (approx. 35 km stretch)

  • Lime Shell Deposits: In Vembanad Lake, commercially mined, especially between Pathiramanal and Vaikom

  • China Clay and Building Clay: Found across various regions

  • Granite: Quarrying materials are available in places like Chengannur


Rivers and Backwaters

Alappuzha is renowned for its network of rivers, lakes, and canals, forming the backbone of its ecology and economy. Major rivers include:

Manimala River

Originating in Kottayam district, it flows through Kuttanad taluk—via Edathua and Champakulam—before merging with the Pamba. It stretches for about 91.73 km.

Pamba River

Kerala's third-longest river, the Pamba begins in the Peerumedu hills and enters Alappuzha at Chengannur. It passes through Pandanad, Veeyapuram, Thakazhy, and finally drains into the Vembanad Lake. Its total length is 117 km, with major tributaries like Kakki Ar, Kakkad Ar, and Arudai Ar.

Achankovil River

Also known locally as Kulallada River, it rises from the Western Ghats in Kollam and enters Alappuzha near Venmony. It runs through Mavelikkara and joins the Pamba at Veeyapuram, covering 32.19 km within the district.





Vembanad Lake – Kerala’s Vast Aquatic Canvas

The heart of Alappuzha’s backwater ecosystem is Vembanad Lake, the longest lake in India and the most significant component of the West Coast canal system. Spanning 84 kilometers in length and covering an area of 204 square kilometers, it gently caresses the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam. With an average width of 3.1 km, this lake plays a vital ecological and economic role.

Major rivers such as Pamba, Achankovil, Manimala, Meenachil, and Muvattupuzha flow into this vast waterbody, enriching its biodiversity. The lake is dotted with lush green islands such as Pathiramanal, known poetically as the “Midnight Sands,” Perumbalam, and Pallippuram. A marvel of hydraulic engineering, the Thannermukkom Bund, built across the lake between Thannermukkom and Vechur, prevents saltwater intrusion and supports paddy cultivation in the Kuttanad region. It stands as the largest mud regulator in India.


Kayamkulam Lake – A Silent Beauty

Situated between Panmana and Karthikappally, Kayamkulam Lake is a serene backwater stretch known for its shallow depth and calm surroundings. With a total area of 59.57 square kilometers, it extends 30.5 km in length and has an average width of 2.4 km. It connects to the Ashtamudi Lake through the Chavara-Panmana canal, making it part of the larger water transport and tourism network. At Kayamkulam Barrage, the lake meets the Arabian Sea, offering scenic estuary views and aquatic diversity.


The Canals of Alappuzha – Venice of the East

Alappuzha’s charm is amplified by its intricate web of canals. Part of the West Coast Canal system, these manmade waterways have earned the district the title "Venice of the East". The prominent canals include:

  • Vadai Canal

  • Commercial Canal

  • Link Canals

These channels serve not only as picturesque passageways but also support passenger and cargo transport, fishing, and inland aquaculture. Traditional boats, houseboats, and modern ferries glide through these waters, reflecting the district's unique symbiosis of nature and livelihood.


The Sea Coast and the Mystery of “Chakara”

Alappuzha boasts an 82-kilometer-long unbroken seacoast, which accounts for 13.9% of Kerala’s coastline. What makes this coast truly unique is the natural occurrence of "Chakara", a mud bank phenomenon that appears during the Southwest Monsoon (June-July). Triggered by hydraulic pressure, it causes nutrient-rich mud to rise, attracting large shoals of fish close to shore — a boon for traditional fishermen and a mesmerizing sight for visitors.


Backwater Cruises – Gliding Through Paradise

A visit to Alappuzha remains incomplete without experiencing its world-renowned houseboat cruises. These cruises let travelers witness the backwaters’ quiet charm and daily life along the waterways, combining comfort with immersion in nature and culture.

Popular Routes:

  • Alappuzha to Alappuzha (Round Trip):
    This one-night cruise begins and ends at Alappuzha, taking guests through Punnamada Lake, the venue of the famous Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race. Highlights include visits to:

    • Champakkulam Church, one of the oldest Christian churches in India.

    • Chavara Bhavan, the ancestral home of Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara, home to a 250-year-old eternal lamp.

    • Ambalapuzha Temple, famed for its divine ambiance and historical importance.

    • Vattakayal Lake, where guests spend the night surrounded by tranquility.

  • Alappuzha to Kumarakom:
    This route takes travelers through bird-abundant marshes and water lily-filled canals. The serene night cruise is a feast for birdwatchers, as both resident and migratory birds dot the skies.

  • Alappuzha to Kottayam:
    Known for its scenic beauty, this cruise meanders through canals lined with coconut palms, paddy fields, and traditional homes. En route, visitors witness toddy tapping, below-sea-level farming, and the essence of village life.

  • Alappuzha to Thottappally:
    A journey through history, this route offers glimpses of heritage churches, temples, and timeless villages tucked along the waters.

  • Alappuzha to Mankotta:
    A route for those interested in Kerala’s coir industry. The cruise passes through Punnamada Lake and stops at coir weaving villages, offering a chance to observe age-old traditions of rope making and mat weaving.

  • Alappuzha to Alumkadavu:
    This longer cruise (one or two nights) brings guests to Alumkadavu, the birthplace of Kerala’s famous Kettuvallams (houseboats). Entire families once engaged in the art of building these boats, and even today, the tradition continues, offering a peek into boat-building craftsmanship.


Beyond Sightseeing – A Soulful Experience

Alappuzha’s backwaters are more than a tourist attraction — they are a way of life, an ecosystem of human culture, biodiversity, and timeless tradition. Whether it’s the sight of a lone fisherman casting his net under the golden glow of sunrise or the rhythmic song of women collecting water lilies, every moment here is a meditative experience.

As you float gently through the lagoons and lakes, you'll see school children crossing canals by boat, farmers tending fields below sea level, and festivals celebrated on floating stages — a living mosaic that only Kerala can offer.

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