Alappuzha
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| Alappuzha | |
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| Country |  India |
| State | Kerala |
| District(s) | Alappuzha District |
| Population • Density |
2,105,349 (2001[update]) • 1,492 /km2 (3,864 /sq mi) |
| Sex ratio | 1079 ♂/♀ |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area | 1,414 km² (546 sq mi) |
| Website | www.alappuzha.nic.in |
Coordinates: 9°29′N 76°20′E / 9.49°N 76.33°E
Alappuzha (Malayalam: ആലപ്പുഴ), also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. A town with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons, it was described as the List of places known as Venice of the East by Lord Curzon. It is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha District. Alleppey has a wonderful past. Though the present town owes its existence to the sagacious Diwan Raja Kesavadas in the second half of 18th century, district of Alappuzha figures in classical Literature. Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala with the unending stretch of paddy fields, small streams and canals with lush green coconut palms , was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age. History says Alappuzha had trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome in B.C and in the Middle Ages, as well as with other parts of India. Alappuzha has a lighthouse, which is a major tourist attraction. The white sand beach is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the sea and sun
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[edit] Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census,[1] Alappuzha had a population of 177,079. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Alappuzha has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 49% of the males and 51% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Politics
Alappuzha assembly constituency is part of Alappuzha (Lok Sabha constituency). The other loksabha constituency of the district is Mavelikkara. [2]
[edit] Commerce and Tourism
Soon after Alappuzha was developed as a port by the Diwan Raja Kesavadas, the town started functioning as the main commercial centre of the state of Travancore. Export flourished from the port. Spices like pepper were the main export items. Thachil Mathoo Tharakan a close confidante of the Diwan pioneered the export of timber. Domestic trade was also active. Many traders from Gujarat came and settled down here to do trading, leading to the presence even now of a Gujarati community in the town. Later coir (different kinds of rope made from coconut fibre) became a major product of the town, both for local and world markets.
Alleppey/ Alappuzha is now the hub for backwater tourism in Kerala. House boats locally called "Kettuvallam" are available on hire on a daily basis as well as for longer duration to take visitors on the old waterways. These house boats in general have 2 bed rooms and attached bath rooms. Some of the boats have the bedrooms fitted with air conditioners. A routine trip includes food cooked on board in the traditional Kuttanad style. The leisurely cruises show a microcosm of life on the water side with breath taking views of the water, land, birds and human habitations. Alappuzha is a centre for coir industries. The unique distinction of Alappuzha is that, it is the only district in Kerala without forest.
Alappuzha is bordered by Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts on east, Kollam district on south, Ernakulam district on north and the Arabian Sea on west.
The picturesque CSI Christ Church in Alappuzha town was built in 1818 by the first CMS (Church Missionary Society) missionary to the erstwhile state of Travancore, Rev. Thomas Norton. It was the first Anglican Church to be established in Travancore.
The Poomkavu Church is situated in the out-skirts of Alappuzha, and is a famous destination for Christian Pilgrims. Other Famous religious destinations are 1. Mullackal Raja Rajeshwari Temple 2. Mannarasala Temple 3. Chettikulangara Bhagawathy Temple, Mavelikkara 4. Champakulam Church 5. Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple 6. Edathua Church 7. Salafi Juma Masjid Mosque 8. Kottamkulangara Vishnu and Devi Temple[3] 9. Kalarcode Major Mahadeva Temple 10. Pathiyamkulangara Sree Bhagavathi Temple 11. Pazhveedu SreeKrishna Swami Temple
'Chettikulangara Bharani'
This temple is very famous in Kerala, as it is believed that the deity of the Bhagawathy temple has miraculous healing powers. The temple situates in Mavelikkara. In February and March the temple is teeming with life as the festival of Bharani takes place during this time. The temple comes alive with activities and grand feasts. The Bharani festival celebrated in the month of Kumbham is quite an event to the people of this locality and neighbouring places. This festival celebrated with pomp and gaiety is now been widely known as the Kumbhamela of South. Lakhs of people from different parts of Kerala and abroad visit Chettikulangara to participate in this mega event.
The highlight of the festival is Kuthiyottam and Kettukazha. Kuthiyottam is performed as an important offering to the deity. This is a ritual dance practiced and perfected through several centuries. It can be witnessed in several houses of Chettikulangara and in neighbouring areas. The houses are decorated, and the portrait of the deity is installed in temporary structures. Kuthiyottam starts a week before Bharani day. It is a type of folk dance performed by youths with the accompaniment of folk music and other musical instruments.
Chettikulangara Kettukazhcha, conducted every year on the Bharani Nakshathram of Malayalam month ‘Kumbham - It is probably the most amazing cultural visual spectacle in Kerala, similar to the Thrissur Pooram.
The event is an offering of the people of Chettikulangara to their beloved deity known for her spontaneous blessings on true devotees as a mark of gratitude, devotion, unflinching faith, and for showering prosperity and protection to their lives. ‘Kettukazhcha’ displays deftly sculpted and decorated forms of ‘ six temple cars known as ‘Kuthiras’, five Therus’ (Chariots ) and icons of Bhima and Hanuman. All the temple cars, chariots and the icons are all incredibly gigantic in size and are many times larger than any other similar Kuthiras and Therus built during the festivities at other temples in the Central Travancore region.
On the move, these out of the world sky scrapping colourful decorations are electrifying, and will create an unforgettable artistic impression in union, especially during the night in the back drop of illuminated lights. Chettikulangara Kettukazhcha heralds the architectural and aesthetic acumen of the ancient people of Chettikulangara, who could convert an improbable out of the world concept to an enormous artistic reality, achieved by collective hardships and will power.
visit:chettikulangara.org
Snake boat races are the most significant traditional event in Alappuzha. These spectacular regattas are usually held between August and October, and involve long thin boats powered by up to 120 oarsmen. The most famous snake boat race are the Nehru Trophy Boat Race and Champakulam Moolam Boat Race.
[edit] Educational Institutions
Alappuzha district has a proud educational history. The district have more than ten Arts and Science Colleges,One Medical college (T.D. Medical College) in government sector, Engineering colleges and Polytechnics. The first school in Alleppey, the CMS (Church Missionary Society) Compound School (near the CSI Christ Church), was established in 1816. The first Higher secondary school in Alleppey was Leo XIIIth Higher Secondary School(Formerly known as Leo XIIIth English Medium High School, dedicated to [Pope Leo XIII])started at the lag end of 18th century ie,1888.S D V English Medium Higher Secondary School is a premier institution in Alappuzha for pre-graduate education.University Institute of Technology (U I T) and Sanathana Dharma College (S D College) are the institution for common people to study under Kerala University. The Ravi Varma Government Fine Arts College is at Mavelikkara.
[edit] Social and Cultural Institutions
District of Alappuzha is the place where the Kerala State Library Council was born on September 14, 1945. The council formed in a meeting of all Libraries of Travancore conducted at P.K Memorial Library Ambalappuzha. The library council in Alappuzha district is the cultural energy source of the district conducting wide variety of socio-cultural programs in the district. In the case of computer education.
Saradamandiram - aradamandiram is a house built by Keralapanini AR Rajarajavarma near Sree Krishna swamy temple at Mavelikkara. He spent his latter part of life there.On June 18 1918 , one of the greatest lovers of Kerala died. Kerala government acquired Saradamandiram and preserves it as a memorial. Famous as KERALA PANINI, A.R was born on feb 20,1863. He is the first grammarian of Malayalam and one of the best critics. He was instrumental in bringing about drastic changes in the educational scenario by revising the syllabus and reforming the KUDIPPALLIKKOODAM (means Hut Schools) style. He himself prepared text books to overcome the shortage. He was a reputed professor. His close disciples includes SAHITYA PANCHANAN P.K. NARAYANA PILLAI and SWADESABHIMANI K. RAMAKRISHNA PILLAI.
AR is the first ever Indian principal of The Maharajas college( now University college ) at Thiruvananthapuram. He is the man who visualised a university uniquely for Kerala. Rajaraja Varma actively lead the reformist group in the PRASAVADHA-which revitalised the craft and soul of Malayalam poetry. MALAYAVILASAM written by AR is an absolute example of his talent as a poet. By writing several introduction to renowned poetical works, he proved himself as the pioneer of the modern critical approach in Malayalam literature.
The Budha Statue
The statue situates at Mavelikkara. The statue is in seated posture, resembling Padmasana. 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 in Buddha statues of the Gandhara and Mathura tradition. The head has markings resembling a headgear. Though the department has made a pagoda-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 four-foot 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 a shawl on one shoulder. Here the Archaeological Department has put up a board specifying the age of the statue.
KPSC KPSC the, the drama club with historical background is situated in Kayamkulam. Many genius artist came out from this club.
[edit] Taluks
[edit] Places in Alappuzha
- Kudassanad
- Kalarcode
- Pulincunnu
- Champakulam
- Punnapra
- Ambalapuzha
- Thrikkunnapuzha
- Cherthala
- Mavelikkara
- Kayamkulam
- Aroor
- Aryad
- Kainakary
- Ramankari
- Mithrakari
- Thathampally
- Punnamada
- Aryad
- Pazhvanangadi
- Poonthoppu
- Koyippally
- Thondankulangara
- Mullackal
- Kottamkulangara
- Rodumukku
- Vazhicheri
- Kedangara
- Mannarashala
- Kattoor
- Kappil
- Thekkekkara
- Chennithala
- Chettikulangara
- Krishnapuram
- Venmony
- Thazhakkara
[edit] Media
AIR AM/MW Relay station
Alappuzha - 576 kHz
Following are the other radio stations available in Alleppey:
♦ FM Rainbow + Vividh Bharti(Cochin-02) @ 107.5 MHz
♦ Anathapuri FM (Trivandrum-01) @ 101.9 MHz
♦ Cochin-01 FM @ 102.3 MHz
♦ Devikulam FM @ 101.4 MHz
♦ Radio City (Coimbatore) @ 91.1 MHz
♦ Asianet Best FM (Kannur) @ 95.0 MHz
♦ Radio Mango (Manorama; Kannur) @ 91.9 MHz
- In order to get all the stations, you need a properly earthed antenna so as to avoid the interference.
Please refer these web pages for apt info: kandamangalam A place in cherthala thalook http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antenna_%28radio%29 mararikkulam
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved on 2008-11-01.
- ^ "Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies". Kerala. Election Commission of India. http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S11/KL_Dist_PC_AC.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-10-20.
- ^ Kottamkulangara
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Alappuzha |
- Official website of Alappuzha District
- A place to share your thoughts,ideas,grievences,information about Alappuzha
- Chegannur
- Chegannur Mahadeva/Devi Temple
- Tours in Alleppey
- Our Library Website - First village library in Kerala to start a website and internet magazine in Malayalam
- View of backwaters on board a kettuvallam
- Alappuzha Tourism Guide
- Prime Minister visits relief camps of Tsunami victims at Alappuzha, Kerala
- Houseboats in Alappuzha
- Alappuzha Alleppey Tourism Guide
- Online resource on Alappuzha, Kerala
- Houseboats in Alleppey
- Kottamkulangara Temple
- [1]
- [2]
[edit] Getting Around
[edit] Photo gallery
.JPG) Canal |
 Alleppey houseboat |
 Church |
 Paddy fields |
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