Alapuzha
(Alleppey)
 Situated
65 kms away from Cochin, Alapuzha has a long, sandy and
spectacular beach. It is known as the 'Venice of the East' due
to the intricate network of canals and backwaters. Alapuzha
is famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine
products, umbrella manufacture and coir  industry.
The singular most colourful event of this land is the Nehru
trophy boat race organised every year on the second saturday
of August. It is held on Vembanad Lake to the east of
the town. Each snake boat is as long as 130 feet and is manned
by over a hundred rowers.
Bordered by dense palm groves at one end and an ancient towering
lighthouse at the other, the Alapuzha beach is a delight for
one's eyes. The bus stand and boat jetty are in close proximity
to most of the hotels. The railway station is 4km south-west
of the town centre and the Bank of India is on Mullakal
Road, which will encash travellers cheques. The other places
you can visit when in Alapuzha are the Kidangamparambu Devi
Temple, Mermaid Statue, Mullakal Devi Temple, and the
Boat Jetty.
Kalady
Kalady, a piligrim centre is 45 kms from Cochin,on the
banks of river Periyar. The well known Ramakrishna
Adwaitha Ashram is located here. Kalady is the birthplace
of Saint Shankaracharya, the monotheist Hindu philosopher
and one of the greatest Hindu reformers. He lived in the 8th
century AD and died at an early age of 32 years. He traveled
throughout India, on foot, debating with scholars and spreading
his theory of Advaita or monotheism.
Kodungallore (Cranganore)
Kodungallore is 35 kms from Cochin by road and is a seaport
town on the west coast of India. It is believed that St Thomas,
the Apostle, landed here in 52 AD. The world famous port here
was destroyed by a flood which later led to the formation of
the well known Kochi Harbour. The first mosque of India,
Cheraman Juma Masjid, is situated here built in the form
of a Hindu temple in 629 A.D.
Kottayam (Kumarakom)
This unique backwater destination is situated on the eastern
side of the vast Vembanad Lake and is considered the
gateway to the backwaters of Kuttanad. It is 88 kms from
Cochin and takes two and a half hours by road. The
lake provides facilities for boating, yachting, fishing, surf
riding & swimming.
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