Vallarpadamport, vallarpadam terminal, Smart city, kochi tourism

Places to visit in Alappuzha

---

Alappuzha Beach
Alappuzha beach is one of the most popular spots in the district of Alappuzha. Its beautiful garden on the shore gives an exclusive sight. Imposing buildings of a colonial past overlook the shore.Beautiful places. The pier, which extends into the sea is more than 140 years old and is a rare sight. Dense Palm groves at one end and an ancient towering light house at the other, Vijay Park and Sea view park are all spectacular sights one should never miss. Boating Facility is available in both Parks.

Backwater Cruise
View the landscape beauty , monuments, temples,churches and industries of Alappuzha by cruising through its rivers,canals and backwaters.The starting point is from Alleppey and the finishing point is at Jetty .

Krishnapuram Palace
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 near Haripad, the Thiruvandoor, Neerettupuram, Karuvatta and Thaikkoottam boat races are held at different parts of the district during August-September . Thousands of people from all parts of the world come and witness these races.

Kuttanad Region
The region is known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala’. It is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done below sea level. The boat trip to Changanacherry passes through this beautiful and fertile region.

Arthunkal Church
This christian Pilgrim centre near Sherthalai is 22 km. north of alappuzha. The St. Andrews Church here was built by Portuguese missionaries. The annual feast of St. Sebastian is held here in the month of January.

Mararikulam
Situated on the coast south of Alappuzha,12 Kms. from Alappuzha, it houses a quiet beach and has an adjoining fishing village. Pool, tennis, water sports and Ayurvedic treatments are the leisure time activities one can avail of.

Tourist Attractions in Ernakulam

---

The main tourist attractions in Ernakulam are Hill Palace Museum, Madhavan Nayar Foundation, Kaladi, Kodanad, Chendamangalam, Malayatoor, Bhoothathankettu and Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary.

Hill Palace Museum

The Hill Palace was the official residence of the royal family of Kochi and built in 1865. This palace is located on the Ernakulam-Chottanikkara route, about 10 km from Ernakulam. The palace complex consists of 49 buildings built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture and surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with a deer park and facilities for horse riding. A full-fledged Ethno-archaeological Museum and the Kerala’s first ever Heritage Museum are the main attraction of the palace. The Hill Palace museum is the largest museum of archaeological remain in Kerala. Rare coins, manuscripts, sculptures of stone and Plaster of Paris, oil paintings, 19th century paintings, murals and inscriptions of the royal Kochi family can be seen in this museum.

Kodanad

Kodanad is situated in the high ranges on the southern bank of the Periyar, and one of the largest elephant training centres in south India. There is also a mini zoo for wild animals here.

Kaladi

Kaladi is the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya, the great Advaita philosopher of the 8th century. The temples dedicated to Sri Shankaracharya, Sharada Devi, Sri Krishna and Sri Ramkrishna are also located here. A place called Crocodile Ghat is also situated here where Sri Shankaracharya took his vows of renunciation. According to the legend, a crocodile caught hold of him and refused to release him until Shri Shankaracharya’s mother Aryamba permitted him to accept Sanyas (renunciation).

Bhoothathankettu

Bhoothathankettu is a picturesque place situated in a vast virgin forest. This mythologically popular picnic spot lies close to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkadu. Two of the main irrigation projects of Ernakulam district – the Periyar Valley Irrigation Project and the Idamalayar Irrigation Project are also located nearby. Trekking to the old Bhoothathankettu provides excitement to adventure lovers.

Forts of Kasaragod

Kasaragod can be called as the land of seven languages and several cultures. This is the place of harmonious coexistence of Hindu, Muslim,and Christian religions. The district also has some famous tourist centres, including the international fame Bekal fort & beach. From ancient time Kasaragod district was famous. In 9th and 14th centuries AD Arab travelers came to Kerala and visited Kasaragod. The Bekal fort is of great historical and archaeological interest. It is the largest and best preserved of its kind in the district. The land, on which it is situated, runs into the sea with fine bay towards the south.Kasaragod Attractions. There are some places, which can be converted to attract the tourists and thus promote the tourism in the district.
Bekal fort:This is the largest and best-preserved fort in the State. The alluring scene of the seashore and its exhilarating natural scenery and beauty attracts the visitors. This place is emerging fast as an International tourist center.

Bekal:Bekal is an important place of tourist interest in the district situated on the seashore of Pallikara village. It lies 12 km south of Kasargod town. According to Bekal Rama Nayak who was a local Kannada writer, the word, Bekal is derived from the word Baliakulam that means Big Palace. The term Baliakulam over a period of time got corrupted as Bekulam and later as Bekal.

Chandragiri fort: Chandragiri fort lies three km south of Kasargod town. It has a large square situated high above the Chandragiri River on its southern bank.

Cheruvathur:This is actually the place of illustrious poets and scholars of Kuttamath Kunniyur family. The veeramala hill at this place has the ruins of a Dutch fort built in the 18th century. In present days this place is regarded as a picnic spot.

Hosdurg fort: The fort with its round organization looks imposing from a distance. This fort was built by the Somashekara nayak of ikkeri dynasty. The place is distinguished by the nithyanandasram with its 45 caves.

Povval fort: This is an old fashioned fort situated on the Kasargod-Mulleria route. This fort is placed at the distance of about 10 km from Kasargod.

Edneer mutt: It is placed at the distance of 10 km. northeast of kasargod. This mutt belongs to the Sankaracharya tradition, presently renowned as a seat of art and learning.