The Alappuzha District

The Alappuzha District is famous for its unique backwaters. It is also called the Venice of East. The district is endowed with immense natural beauty. The sandy strip of land with Arabian Sea to its west is woven by lagoons and an array of rivers, canals, and lakes ideal for boat cruise. The main rivers are Achankovil, Pamba and Manimala. The Vembanad lake covering an area of 204 sq. kms. stretches from Alappuzha to Kochi and the ayamkulam lake covers an area of 59.57 sq. kjns. and extends into Alappuzha and Kollam districts. These lakes are used for the inland water transport of cargo and passengers. The district has been an important centre of Christiarilty. The church at Kokkomangalam in Cherthala taluk is believed to be one of the seven churches founded by St. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Alappuzha has been an important trading and commercial centre since time immemorial. It is also known for coir and carpet industry. The coir industry in the district is well known!

The Alappuzha District

The Alappuzha District is famous for its unique backwaters. It is also called the Venice of East. The district is endowed with immense natural beauty. The sandy strip of land with Arabian Sea to its west is woven by lagoons and an array of rivers, canals, and lakes ideal for boat cruise. The main rivers are Achankovil, Pamba and Manimala. The Vembanad lake covering an area of 204 sq. kms. stretches from Alappuzha to Kochi and the ayamkulam lake covers an area of 59.57 sq. kjns. and extends into Alappuzha and Kollam districts. These lakes are used for the inland water transport of cargo and passengers. The district has been an important centre of Christiarilty. The church at Kokkomangalam in Cherthala taluk is believed to be one of the seven churches founded by St. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Alappuzha has been an important trading and commercial centre since time immemorial. It is also known for coir and carpet industry. The coir industry in the district is well known!

Hotels of Cochin

Aiswarya Hotel, Jos, Jn., Warriam Road, Ph: 2364454

Abad Atrium, M. G. Road, Ph: 2361595,2381 122

Abad Metro, Rajaji Road, Ph: 2364162, 2364032

A. J. Residency, Kaloor, Ph: 2531480/884/2530012

ATS Wlllingdon Hotel, Wiillngdon Island, Ph: 2667643

Bijus Tourist Home, Canon Shed Road, Ph: 2381881

Cochin Regency, Near Padma Jn. Ph: 2360667

Cochin Tourist Home, Opp. Near South Rly Stn., Ph:2377577

Elite Tourist Home, Paramara Rd, Opp. Town Hi, Ph: 2395692

Gaanam Hotels Ltd., •Chittoor Road, Ph: 2376123

Good Shepherd Tourist Home, Chelakulam Building, Ph: 2381145

Hotel Abad, Chullickal, Ph: 2228211

Hotel Airlines, M. G. Road, Ph: 2366633, 2351772

Hotel Blue Diamond, Market Road, Ph :2382118

Hotel Chandnl Park, South Kalamassery, Ph : 2557628

Hotel Crystal Palace, Banerji Road, Ph: 2394222, 2393789

Hotel Grace, Narakathara Rd, Ph: 2353789

Hotel Kavita, Chittoor Road, Ph: 2350618

Hotel K. K. International, Opp. South RIy Stn, Ph: 2376010

Hotel Megha, Kacherippady, Ph: 2395305

Hotel Mayura Park, Kacheripady Jn, Ph: 2390560

Hotel Sangeetha, Chitoor Road, Ph: 2376123

Hotel Mermaid Days Inn, Kaniampuzha Rd, Ph: 2307999

Hotel Segate, Pathadipalam, Ph: 2555405

Hotel Uduppi Anantha Bhavan, M. G. Road, Ph: 2382071, 75

Kamyakam Haven, Kothad Island, Ph : 2432701

Travancore Court, Warriam Road, Cochjn-16. Ph : 2351120, 3044000

Hotel Harbour View, M. G. Road, Opp. Ship yard, Cochin, Ph 4090000

Mas Hotel, Near North Rly Stn, Ph: 2395090

Matha Tourist Home, St. Vincent Road, Ph: 2395250

N. M. Hotels, Near South Rly Stn, Ph: 2375137

Paulson Park Hotel, Ekm South Jn, Ph: 2378240

Piazza Residency, Near Ekm South Rly Stn, Ph: 2376408

Queens Residency, Shenoys Jn, Ph: 2365775, 2368010

Sahara Tourist Lodge, Convent Road, Ph: 2352178

Saas Tower, Canon Shed Road, Ph: 2365319

Star Tourist Home, Kaloor, Ph: 2539940

Thankam Tourist Home, Near North Rly Stn, Ph: 2390007

Bolghatty Palace Hotel, Bolghatty, Ph: 2750600

Circle Manor, Deshabhimani Jn, Ph: 2408066

Fort Heritage, Ph: 2217902

Haramain Tourist Home, Ph: 2381789

Hotel White Fourt, Byepass, Ph : 2706955

Hotel Cochin Tower, Lizy Jn, Ph: 2401910

Hotel Seagull, Ph: 2217172

Hotel Rakoba, Ph: 2353933

Hotel Highway Garden, Ph: 2330321

Hotel Mercy, Ph: 2367379

Rivera Suites, Thevara, Ph: 2663474

R. K. Oberol Hotel, Ph: 2351743

Hotel Searock, Ph: 2354745

The Metropolitlan, Near South Rly, Stn Ph: 2375412

Youth Hostel Kakkanadu, Ph: 2422808

KaLady the birth place of-Adi Sankaracharya

KaLady the birth place of-Adi Sankaracharya is located on the banks of River Periyar, 45 km from Kochi is Kalady a pilgrim centre and the birth place of-Adi Sankaracharya, the great Indian Philosopher of the 8th century AD. There are two shrines in memory of Adi Sankaracharya, one dedicated to him as Dakshinamurthy and the other to the goddess Sharada maintained by Sringeri Mutt. On the same place there is also a spot (Brindavan) where Adi Sankaracharyas mother Aryamba was cremated. In addition there is an ancient Shri Krishna Temple close by which was me family temple of Adi Sankaracharya. Another temple known as the International Temple dedicated to Shri Ramakrishna Deva has been built with the hope that it would eventually become a temple for all religions and an house of peace.

Kalady is located on MC Road Between Angamaly and Perumbavoor. Tourists come here and spend hourse enjoying peaceful atmosphere.

Cochin Boat Rides

Cochin Boat Rides : The best part of Cochin is a boat ride through the backwaters to all the islands. The most beautiful of all the islands is Bolgatty built by the Dutch. Today it has been converted into a hotel run by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. Gundu island : With an area of 5 acres, Gundu Island is the smallest island around Cochin.

Cochin Boat Rides Timings: -

Thommankuthu, Thodupuzha

Thommankuthu 28 km from Thodupuzha is Thommankutthu, which is famous for its numerous waterfalls. This place is ideal for natural lovers as the seven-step waterfall here is a much loved picnic spot. At each step, there is a cascade and a pool beneath to enjoy the panoramic beauty; the best way is to undertake a trek that takes one to the top of the mountain, a 12km. Elaveezh Poonchira, Vagaman, Bharananganam are few tourist attractions!

Muzhappilangad Beach, Kannur

Muzhappilangad Beach: Muzhappilangad Beach, one of the longest beaches in Kerala is located 15 kms south of Kannur, near Thalassery. This is the only drive-in beach in India. The drive across Muzhuppilangad beach attracts many tourists. Dharmadam Thuruth and Thalassery Fort are nearby attraction. Tourists can walk to Dharmadam Thuruthu during low tide time but during high tide they need boats to come back. Brhannan College situated very near to Dharmadam Thuruth. Myuzhuppilangad beach is very close to NH 17 just 5 km from Thalassery towards Kannur.

Chennamangalam

Chennamangalam: Chennamangalam is located 5 Kms from north Paravur, north-west of Errrakulam. Chennamangaiam is popular as the residence of traditional priministers of Cochin Raja, the Paliathachan. Chennamangalam presents a extraordinary geographical blend of rivers, seven inlets, a small hill and a vast spread of green plains, It is located 5 Kms from north Paravur, north-west of Errrakulam. The place is surrounded by rivers on all 3 sides, Chennamangalam was the residence of the famous Achans of Paliam who were traditional prime ministers to the Raja of Cochin Kottayil Kovilakam. The small hill presents an unusual sight of a Hindu temple, a church and a Jewish Synagogue all closely located next to each other, There is a seminary built in 1075 by Jesuit Priests, It was here that printing first began in Kerala in 1577. Malanappara is another attraction of Chennamangalam. Malanappara is made up of holders lying one over the other resembling an elephant from a distance.

Pazhur, Piravom

Pazhur, Piravom is Situated 25 kms towards the southeast of Kochi, near Piravom. It is the legendary Pazhur Siva temple here that make Pazhur famous. It is believed that the Siva temple here is nearly 1800 Years old. The Muvattupuzha river flowing west ward from the east changes direction on reaching the temple. If the river runs in the original direction the temple would have been washed away. Pazhur is famous for astrologers. The Pazhur Astrologers is believed to have divine powers. The proverb “Pahur Padippurayil Pokanam” is said to indicate unknown truths.

Mulamkuzhi, Malayattoor

Tourists visit Malayattoor i also interested in Mulamkuzhi, Malayattoor. Mulamkuzhi, Malayattoor is a tiny settlement nearly 15 km from Malayattoor. It is a convergence of the rivers Periyar and the Perumthode. Tourists can reach this place by road and there are a lot of local transport buses plying through this area. One can also reach here from Perumbavoor via Panankuzhi on a country boat. One can also make a trip to the St. Thomas church al Malayattoor. The crystal clear medicated water of the Mulamkuzhi river and the tiny waterfalls of Venanbaravady near Malayattoor is an enchanting scenery believed to have prayed at this shrine.