Kuttanad

Kuttanadu is a region in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its picturesque vast paddy fields and its geographical peculiarities. It's the region with the lowest altitude in India, and one of the few places in the world where farming is carried out below sea level. It’s also one of the historically important places in the ancient history of South India.

The Kuttanad region is broadly classified into three divisions:

•          Lower Kuttanad

•          Upper Kuttanad

•          North Kuttanad

The major occupation in Kuttanad is farming. Rice is the important agricultural product, giving Kuttanad the moniker of "The Rice Bowl of Kerala". Three crops are grown every year now instead of the traditional two per year. Large farming areas near vembanad Lake were actually reclaimed from the lake. The history of the paddy cultivation in Kuttanad can be traced back to centuries. 

The evolution of paddy cultivation in Kuttanad was correlated to the technological advancement and changes in the regulatory frame work existed during the 19th and 20th centuries. In the earlier times, the reclamation was done mainly from the shallow part of the Vembanad Lake or from the periphery of river Pamba. These reclamations constituted small areas of paddy fields called “Padsekharams”.The bailing out of water from those fields were done manually using water wheels named “Chakram”. Gradually the manual method used for bailing out of water gave way to steam engines.
 

Location: Around 15 km from Alappy.

Thanneermukkom Bund

Thanneermukkom Bund (Thannermukkom Salt Water Barrier) was constructed as a part of the Kuttanad Development Scheme to prevent tidal action and intrusion of salt water into the Kuttanad low-lands across Vembanad Lake between Thannermukkom on south and Vechur on north. Thanneermukkom Bund was constructed in 1974 and is functional since 1976.

Thanneermukkom Bund

 It is the largest mud regulator in India. This barrier essentially divides the lake into two parts - one with brackish water perennially and the other half with fresh water fed by the rivers draining in to the lake.It has been built across Lake Vembanad. It connects Vechoor of Kottayam district and Thanneermukkom of Alappuzha district.

This barrier has helped the farmers in Kuttanad - where farming is done below sea level. It has however also created ecological problems, primarily, the rampant propagation of the Water Hyacinth in fresh water. The backwaters which were abundant with fish and part of the staple food of the people of the region require a small amount of salt water for their breeding. The salt water barrier has caused deterioration of the catch of fish in the region and the fishermen are opposed to the bund as of 2005.

The salt water barrier has also disrupted the harmony of the sea with the backwaters and has caused problems not foreseen before the salt water barrier like the omniprescence of the water weeds. Earlier the salt water tends to cleanse the backwaters but this does not happen any more leading to the pollution of the backwaters and the entire land nearby.The shutters are opened during monsoon and are closed after approximately six months.

Location: It can be reached by road, from Kottayam town, Alappuzha or Cherthala. Frequent bus services are available from all the places mentioned.

Punnapra-Vayalar

The Punnapra-Vayalar uprising was a popular uprising in the princely state of Travancore, under British India in 1946.

Punnapra-Vaya

The interpretation of this incident is still debated. The Communists in Kerala maintain this as a struggle for freedom against the oppression of the state by the Diwan. Some individuals argue this was neither an uprising nor a liberation struggle. They suggest certain Communist leaders instigated the coir workers belonging to the Ezhava community to wage a war against the then administration led by Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer. T K Varghese Vaidya, a leader of the struggle, had even gone on record saying it was a rehearsal for a larger revolution with the ultimate objective of establishing a Communist India. The historians like Prof. A Sreedhara Menon states that it was a proper political struggle by the communists against the Travancore Maharaja's government.

Punnapra-Vayalar

In 1946, Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer, the Diwan of Travancore, proposed constitutional reforms which the communists opposed saying it’s for the creation of an "American model" of Executive in Travancore. The Communists opposed this move with the slogan "American Modal Arabi Kadalil" (chuck the American model into the Arabian Sea). The region around Alleppey was a Communist stronghold and the communist workers organised a mass upheaval in October 1946 against the authority of the Diwan, and practically established their own government in the region. This led to attacks and deaths of Travancore police officials and government officials in that region.

Atrocities were not one sided, and there are reports of murders of Travancore policemen after they had surrendered to the communists, during the early stages of the disturbances. Police Inspector Velayudhan Nadar had moved forward to reason out with the communists, but he was brutally stabbed to death. This hardened the stance of the police and the armed forces. Following the suppression of the communist local governments, the Travancore police used heavy-handed methods to repress the political movement in the region and detained many activists without any trial.

Location: It is situated at Punnappra, Alappy.

Chettikulangara Temple

Chettikulangara Temple

          Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi temple is one of the most renowned temples in Kerala. The temple is located at Chettikulangara in Mavelikkara taluk of Alappuzha district in the south Indian state of Kerala.

One important aspect of the Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi temple is that the deity appears as Maha Saraswathi in the morning, as Maha Lakshmi at noon and Sri Durga or Bhadrakali in the evening.

The 1200-year-old temple has 13 Karas (territories). The temple is at the centre of the oldest four Karas–Erezha South, Erezha North, Kaitha South and Kaitha North and the rest of the Karas Kannamangalam South, Kannamangalam North, Pela, Kadavoor, Anjilipra, Mattam North, Mattam South, Menampally and Nadakkavu surround this temple.

Kuthira

This is the second largest temple in terms of income under the control of Travancore Devaswom Board, second only next to Sabarimala.[1] It is estimated that the temple has earnings worth many crores per year. In 2009 it earned around 1.7 crore Rupees from a single type of offering called Chanthattam. A major part of the Nellu offered to the Bhagavathi is also used to make Appam and Aravana prasadams at Sabarimala. The income from the temple is also helpful to run the daily rituals and Poojas at various temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Kettukazhcha

The Temple has a number of festivals. The important ones are: Parayeduppu, Kumbha Bharani, Ethirelpu Ulasvam, Aswathy Ulasvam, Kettukazhcha, Kuthiyottam.

Location: The temple is situated about 4 km west of Mavelikkara, 7 km north of Kayamkulam on SH6 (Kayamkulam - Thiruvalla Highway).

Krishnapuram Palace

Krishnapuram Palace

The Krishnapuram Palace, a protected monument of the Dept of Archaeology, is situated near the Krishnaswamy Temple at Krishnapuram on the left side of the National Highway between Ochira and Kayamkulam in the District of Alapuzha.

Chariot

The Palace was built during the period of Anizham Thirunal Martanda Varma (1729-1758 AD, 904-933 ME) after the annexation of Kayamkulam to the erstwhile State of Travancore. This palace is the best example for the Kerala style architectural buildings, especially the residence of local Chief-tains and royal palaces of Travancore.

Gajendra Moksham

The Palace is noted for its characteristic style of Kerala Architecture such as the gabled roofs, narrow corridors, dorma windows, pent roofs and so on. It also houses one of the largest single panel Mural paintings so far discovered in Kerala known as 'Gajendra Moksha', which measures 53 sq.ft in area. 

This palace is specially noted for its peculiar architectural style, which is a typical 'Pathinarukettu'. An Archaeological museum is set up in the Palace in which stone and wood sculptures, bronzes, copies of Mural paintings, coins, megalithic remains, stone inscription and such historically and archaeologically important objects are preserved and protected.

 

Nanangadi

Location: It is situated in Krishnapuram near Kayamkulam. Only 2km from kayamkulam bus stand and railway station.

Details: Open on all days except on Mondays and other national holidays from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. Phone: 0479 441133

Alappuzha Beach

       Referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha has always enjoyed an important place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, it is famous for its boat races, backwater holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby which is greatly fascinating to visitors. Today, Alappuzha and its beach are a huge attraction for tourists who are in search of some different experience. The waters of the sea rush towards you as you approach it and seems more than willing to reveal the earthly story of this quaint little town.

Boating In Vijaya Park

Alappuzha Beach

Another delightful experience while in Alappuzha is a houseboat cruise. The ones you find in the backwaters of Alappuzha are in fact reworked version of kettuvallams of olden times. The original kettuvallams or rice barges used to carry tons of rice and spices. The kettuvallam or 'boat with knots' was so called because the entire boat was held together with coir knots only.

A view from Vijaya Park

Of late, houseboats come with all creature comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. And one can always enjoy uninterrupted views of backwater life while staying in a houseboat.

Location:  Around 3km from Alappuzha town

Nearest railway station: Alappuzha.

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha town.