Alappuzha also known by its former name Alleppey, is a city and a municipality in Kerala and ranks third among the districts in literacy rate in the State of Kerala.
The city is situated 28 km from Changanacherry, 46 km from Kottayam, 53 km from Kochi, 129.4 km from Thrissur and 155 km north of Trivandrum. A town with canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons, Alappuzha was described by Lord Curzon as the “Venice of the East.” Hence, it is known as the “Venetian Capital” of Kerala.
There are two bus terminals are situated in Alappuzha town, one for KSRTC buses (situated near state water transport corporation headquarters, boat jetty road) and the municipal bus stand for private buses (situated near Vazhicherry).
Bus Fanning Moments at KSRTC Alappuzha : VIDEO
KSRTC buses connect Alappuzha with cities like Kochi, Trivandrum. City buses are green and white colured (formally white and brown). City buses connect Alappuzha with places like Mannancherry, Kalavoor, Erattakulangara, Kanjippadam, and Aspinwal. Some buses connects Alappuzha to Cherthala through coastal highway and Kanichukulangara route.
Alappuzha is considered to be the oldest planned city in this region and the lighthouse built on the coast of the city is the first of its kind along the Laccadive Sea coast.
It is an important tourist destination in India. The Backwaters of Alappuzha are the most popular tourist attraction in Kerala. A houseboat cruise in these backwaters can be booked. It connects Kumarakom and Cochin to the North and Quilon to the South. Apart from houseboat services, the Kerala State Water Transport Department provides government boat services within the district.
There are eight state highways in Alappuzha district, of which three of them originates from Alappuzha town. State Highway 11 (Kerala) starts from Kalarcode and ends at Perunna. This highway is locally known as AC road (Alappuzha-Changanassery road) and it covers a distance of 24.2 km. State Highway 11 (Kerala) is an important road which connects Alappuzha town with Kottayam district. State Highway 40 (Kerala) is an interstate highway in Alappuzha district which connects Alappuzha town with Madurai in Tamil Nadu. State Highway 40 (Kerala) is the only interstate highway in Alappuzha district. State Highway 66 (Kerala) originates from Alappuzha town and terminates at Thoppumpady.
National Highway 66 (India) is one of the longest national highway in India. It connects Panvel to Kanyakumari and criss-crosses through Alappuzha town. National Highway 66 (India) connects Alappuzha town to other major cities like Mumbai, Udupi, Mangalore, Kannur, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Kollam, and Trivandrum. There is a plan to upgrade State Highway 11 (Kerala) to national highway to help connect Alappuzha to Kodaikanal as part of promoting coastal-hill tourism project.
it is also the access point for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held on the Punnamada Lake, near Alappuzha, on the second Saturday of August every year. This is the most competitive and popular of the boat races in India. The mullackal chirap is also one of the attractions of Alapuzha which is the festive season held for ten days every year in December.
Other attractions in Alappuzha are Alappuzha Beach, offering a views of the Laccadive Sea, Pathiramanal , Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, St. Andrew’s Basilica, Arthunkal, Mannarasala Temple, Chettikulangara Devi Temple, Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple, Krishnapuram Palace, Thakazhy Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Mullakkal Temple, Padanilam Parabrahma Temple, Edathua Church, Alappuzha CSI Christ Church (oldest Anglican church in Central Kerala) and Champakulam Valia Palli.
