<< Kerala Traditions and Rituals

Carved out of the erstwhile Kottayam and Quilon districts, Alappuzha(Alleppey) district was formed on 17th August, 1957 and consisted initially of seven taluks, namely Cherthala,Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad,Thiruvalla,Chengannur,Karthikappally and Mavelikkara.

A two day festival tradition is celebrated by the Mannarsala temple at Haripad with much religious fervour. On the second day by noon, the Ezhunnallathu (royal outing) ceremony is conducted when the idol of Nagaraja is carried by the priests and taken round the temple in a procession. A large crowd of devotees with urili (vessel) and colourful parasols participate in it. The entire jungle setting of the temple reverberates with the full throated chantings in praise of the Serpent God.

It is during the months of August and September that the moist, rain-drenched earth and the glorious everflowing backwaters burst into a song together, as over a hundred thousand men and women gather on the banks to witness a spectacular water regatta - the snake boat races exclusive to Alappuzha. The boat race crew begin to practise for the race months before the great day. They live together, eat together, toil together to work themselves into a smooth, co-ordinated team.

Alappuzha district is proud of being the cradle of boat races. All the important boat races, namely the Nehru Trophy boat Race at Punnamada, the Payippad boat race near Haripad, the Thiruvandoor, Neerettupuram, Karuvatta and Thaikkoottam boat races are all held at different parts of the district during August-September. Thousands of people from all parts of the world come and witness these races.

For information on traditional boat race events in Alappuzha, click alleppey boat race

To know more on houseboats in Alappuzha, click alleppey house boats

For Accommodation - Hotels / Resorts / Homestays

Kerala - Tourism in a nutshell