1001 Things to do in Alleppey

22/11/2013

Pathiramanal is a small island located on the border of Kottayam - Alapuzha Districts in Kerala(south kerala),India.This small island is on the backwaters of Alappuzha near Muhamma.Pathiramanal is accessible only by boat.The name 'Pathiramanal' means 'Sands of night'.The island is located in the Vembanad Lake.The island is an easily reachable location in the Kumarakom - Muhamma water route.It is a haven for hundreds of rare birds migrating from different parts of the world.Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake,stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi and the Kayamkulam lake.It takes around 40 minutes from Kumarakom to reach Pathiramanal from Kumarakom.The journey through backwaters of Kottayam District,is a marvellous experience.The scenic beauty of both sides of the lake as well as that of the island is mind blowing.It is home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world.The green island forms an ideal place for a break in the journey while on a backwater cruise.The mainland Alappuzha has a vast network of lakes,lagoons and fresh water rivers criss crossing it and is a district of immense natural beauty.

Distance:
Muhamma boat jetty to Pathiramanal Island =1.5kms
Alappuzha to Pathiramanal Island =13kms
Kumarakom to Pathiramanal Island =4kms
1 1/2 hours drive by motor boat or 30 minutes by speed boat from Alappuzha.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Alappuzha
Nearest airports: Cochin International Airport,about 85 km north of Alappuzha.Thiruvananthapuram,about 150 km towards the south.
History
Pathiramanal island is also known as Anantha Padmanabhan Thoppu.It was purchased by Mr ACA Anthraper from M/s Bheemji Devji Trust of Cochin and was under the private ownership until late 70’s. In 1979 after land reforms acts were enforced in the state,the property came under the ownership of government.The island was returned to the government as a surplus land that crossed the land sealing. It was later transferred to the Tourism Department.The island at present is uninhabited.Till late 70’s of the 20th century 14 worker families resided in the island,which were later rehabilitated on the mainland in the Muhamma panchayath.

Geography:
The Pathiramanal Island is 28.505 ha.The distance from Muhamma boat jetty towards Island is about 1.5 km and 13kms from Alapuzha to pathiramanal.From the jetty close by Baker Bungalow the distance to the island is about 5 km and from Kumarakom 4 km towards northwest.
• Maximum length: 550m (SW to NE)
• Maximum width: 450m (SE to NW)
• Perimeter: 1800 m
• Estimated Area: 19.6 ha
• Distance to the nearest main land: 810m

12/11/2013

Do You Know?

2) Alappuzha was 1st referred to as " The Venice Of the East " by Lord Curzon who was the Viceroy Of India during the 20th Century...

Curzon fell for the Scenic Beauty of the Aleppey city ,the City Of picturesque Canals, Backwaters,Beaches, and Lagoons and he Said

"Here nature has spent up on the land her richest bounties. In his exhilaration, he exclaimed, Alleppey, the Venice of the East "

This is How Aleppey Got the Name "The Venice Of The East" :D

11/11/2013

11/11/2013

Year 1935, in a sleepy little countryside on the southwest coast of India, a visionary was planning to change the food habits of the world. His astute mind saw that, through the western palates traditionally favoured bland food, they would welcome a little extra piquancy and flavour, if only someone was there to show them how.

That pioneering spirit belonged to Mr. Vallabhdas Vasanji Mariwala. Quick on the uptake, he installed a spice processing plant on the banks of Alleppey's palm-fringed backwaters, and became one of India's first exporters of black pepper.

Mr. Vallabhdas was every inch a man of spices - right down to his last name. In his native Gujarati language, "Mariwala" literally means "pepper-man". He helped in the formation of the Pepper Exchange in Cochin.

He also introduced the convention of naming spices after the port towns where they are originated - Cochin, Alleppey, Malabar and Tellicherry.

The Vallabhdas factory - Vallabhdas Kanji Limited (VKL) - was as distinctive as the man himself. The massive wooden door that adorns the facia stands as a reminder of VKL's entry as a pioneer and leader in every aspect of India's spice trade and industry.

Today, India's oldest, largest and most diversified exporter of spices, VKL has emerged as a technology-based, quality-driven, customer-oriented multinational, with customers in over 40 countries. VKL's processing operations are divided between three ISO 9001:2000 certified and HACCP compliant plants, with a combined production capacity of 19,000 tonnes of ground spices and seasonings per annum. VKL's spices and blends are supplied to most leading food multinationals and fast-food chains in the USA, Europe, Middle East, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Canada and Asia.
Alleppey will have it's name on all ketchup's of KFC!!
Check it out!!!

10/11/2013

Do You Know?

1) The name Alappuzha is derived from ' Aal(Sea)+ Puzhai (River-mouth) ie The joining place of a river and the sea... Words from Both Malayalam/Tamil .

09/11/2013

we present an innovative range of Lassi, the yoghurt drink.A popular and cooling thirst quencher .From the regular sweet and salty to the seasonal fresh fruit flavored plus the spiced ones!!!
A never -before amazing range in Lassi drink that you will enjoy with every new healthy and tasty sip . Lassi ,the new fun and healthy drrinks joint for family and friends to come together.
Courtesy:Parvathy

09/11/2013

Pandavanpara is a historical place and one of the best Aleppey attractions, situated at a distance of around 1 kilometre from the Chengannur bazaar in outskirts of Aleppey. This place has great historical significance as it is believed that the Pandavas (important characters of the legend of Mahabharata) along with their wife Draupadi stayed in the forests. There is a pool of water in Pandavanpara which does not dry up. The Chengannur town can be viewed from here. One can also get a beautiful view of green valleys and fields from here.......

Chengannur situates on the either sides of River Pamba, is a small town in Outskirts of Aleppey near to Tirualla town of Pathanamthitta District..It shares borders with Pathanamthitta District . The solid red sand stone, the valleys packed with trees and refreshing shade, the fortune of well-supplied water resources etc transfigure Chengannur quite glamorous. This region, contextured with its age old beliefs and assumptions, is famous for the popular temples, sculptures and commercial centres....

The Sunset enjoyed from Pandavanpara is a life time experience... :D......Dont forget to visit Pandavanpara on your next visit to Aleppey... :D

Pic Courtsey- Nithin Prabhakara Sir... :D

09/11/2013

The Indian Coffee House is a restaurant chain in India, run by a series of worker co-operative societies. It has strong presence across India with nearly 400 coffee houses!!
Have u been there???

09/11/2013

The Ravi Karunakaran Memorial Museum is a marvelous monument in the memory of the coir industry stalwart built by wife Betty and her daughter in 2006. The Ravi Karunakaran museum is a white Greco Roman building on the National Highway of Alleppey, only 3km from the city. The courtyard is decorated by superb sculptures Among there is a marvelous seven foot high statue of the prodigal Son made by Israel sculpture Sam Phillipe.

Ravi karunakaran is regarded as the architect of Indian coir industry. His father and grandfather where prominent industrialists ,education in UK, Switzerland and USA . He was fluent in German, French, English, Italian, Spanish and Malayalam. In 1952 after his father away he took over the reign of Karunakaran group of companies at the age of 20. In recognition of his service to the coir industry Mr Ravi has given life time architect award by the coir board government of India in 2001.
One of the attractions is the addition of "Steel Grey Classic Buick". It is the only buick imported in the south India in 1945. In the museum there is a section in which flags of 194 countries are painted on the walls. There are 50 rare tanjore paintings, camphor and liquor boxes form china , parrots made of silver form mexico.
On the first floor there is an ivory collection which is supposed to the largest collection in the country. Among them there is a falcon made of 43164 crystal pieces and also have a good Swarovski’s sculpture.

06/11/2013

Alleppey Mullakkal Goddess temple courtyard is open to Non Hindus too. A very interesting temple to visit at morning. Please make sure that there is somebody with you to advice you to follow the customs in the temple.
The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Rajarajeswari. The nine day Navratri festival celebrated is of special significance.
The temple is managed and owned by Kerala Devasom Board.
The Mullakkal Devi Temple in the centre of the town, is linked to the legends of the goddess who is believed to have appeared at the site many times to care for a jasmine plant. Each year there is a 41 day festival called Mullakkal Chirappu out of which last 12 days are the most important, the festival starts by mid November and ends by last Week of December.
It situated in the heart of Alleppey town, Kerala, India.

06/11/2013

Situated in the heart of Alleppey Town near South Police Station, Halay's Family Resturant established in 2000 has become favorite for the fine dishes it offers.Specialized in Chicken Biryani and a variety of chicken dishes provides endless delight.Our chefs works tirelessly to make the best and freshest dishes. we strive to offer a comfortable and elegant dining environment so that your visit will be a memorable one. The owner of the resturant Mr.Muhammed Haneef, says he started the restaurant eleven years back, with a small investment of hundred rupees.Now it as become one of the most popular restaurants in Kerala.Many famous persons have tasted the magnificient and delightful dishes,Mr. Mammotty,Mr.Mohanlal, Mr.G.karthikeyan, Mr.M M sooppy are some among them.People from far away places comes to the restaurant because of the popularity it has. Chicken Simla, Chicken Chettinadu, Butter Chicken, Chicken kadai, Mutton Dopiaja,Tandoori,Hariyali Fish, Paneer Butter Masala are some of the specialities of our resturant. We also make a variety pickles Prawn,Asparagus, Ada mango,cut mango,kadu manga,Dates with Lime are some among them.About one hundred and twenty people can easily be seated and served at a time.

06/11/2013

Pulinkoonnu Palli :D