Yoga offers a wide range of benefits for you. It’s important that you keep on looking to find what works the absolute best for You: Both for your mental and your physical needs and abilities. The key is coming across a trusted teacher, whose style you enjoy and can relate to. This will enable you to keep an open mind, to learn about yourself and your body through your practice. Breathe in the natural fresh air which keeps you calm and peaceful to regain your energy and to refresh your mind by feeling the science of life and the harmony of body, mind, and soul.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali explains the Eight Limbs of Yoga, where most of today’s yoga practices originate from. To think that practicing asanas (physical postures or exercise) is only one of these eight limbs, creates a bit more awareness around the wholeness yoga can give both body and mind. Indeed, practices range from moral and personal observances to meditation. The lesser-exposed sides of yoga complement the physical exercise, building that more full-rounded picture of the often-talked mind-body connection.
Kuttanad, the 'Rice Bowl of Kerala’, lies at the very heart of the backwaters in Alappuzha district. Its wealth of paddy crops is what got it this unique nickname. Kuttanad is about dense paddy fields, waterways, coconut lines, fishing, duck farming and spice cultivation. Based in the inner regions of the district, it is a huge area of reclaimed land, separated by dikes from water which is higher than it appears. The view of the countryside is what enchants all who pass through this area while travelling via houseboats. It has been speculated that it is perhaps the only place in the world where farming is done up to 2 meters below sea level. The area is serviced by 4 major rivers: Pampa, Meenachil, Achankovil and Manimala.
Vembanad Lake is one of the best backwater destinations to visit around Alleppey. Decked with Mangrove forests all around with coconut trees, a cruise on a houseboat is the best thing to do to enjoy the best of Kerala Tourism. On a houseboat you will pass through narrow canals, lagoon islands, tiny hamlets and experience the simple and serene countryside lifestyle. Your imagination will run wild and you will be lost in the world of fantasy. The experience of cruising in 60ft long and 15ft wide traditional Kettuvallam will be the experience of a lifetime. Don’t forget to visit the beautiful island of Pathiramanal which floats on the backwaters and it hosts 50 species of exotic and 90 species of endemic birds.
Alappuzha Known as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha has always basked a major place in the maritime history of Kerala. Alappuzha (Alleppey) is a landmark between a network of rivers flowing into it and the Arabian Sea. Alappuzha beach is a famous picnic spot and so it's a favourite gateway for locals. Amusement amenities at the Vijaya Beach Park add charm to the beach. It houses the popular ancient pier that is approx. Also, you can find a 140 years old lighthouse nearby Alappuzha beach which is very bewitching to visitors. This beach is also popular for the grand event of Nehru Trophy Boat Race that takes place every year in the month of August. It's a very big event and large number of tourists flock this place on this very day. In addition to this, there are some historic remnants that add colonial atmosphere to the entire area.
Marari Beach is a perfect location for holidaying with family or friends. This beach in Kerala is eternal with coconut palm trees and golden sands. The beach is quite beautiful and the name 'Marari' arises from 'Mararikulum', which is a local village on the Arabian Sea Coast. Marari originates from 'Mararikulum', a local fishing village on the Arabian Sea coast. The serenity and tranquillity of this beach take beach lovers backwards in time. The indolent pace of local life makes vacationing near the Marari beach a reviving experience.
Snake boat (or chundan vallam) is actually a long canoe-style boat used by the people of Alappuzha's Kuttanad region, in the heart of the Kerala backwaters. It's a traditional war boat of Kerala. Typical snake boats are 100 to 120 feet long, and hold up to 100 rowers. Each of the villages in the region has its own snake boat, which they take great pride in. Every year the villagers get together to race the boats along the lakes and rivers. Snake boat races take place during the monsoon season from June to September, with the exact dates varying each year depending on the phase of the moon.
Krishnapuram palace is a rare specimen of the glorious ancient past of Kerala. Located in Kayamkulam near Alappuzha, it's a beautiful place that includes architecture–gabled roofs, narrow corridors and dormer windows. Inside this palace, you'll find a museum of paintings, bronzes and antique carvings. It was built in the 18th century by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the ruler of Travancore. It is one of the most beautiful masterpieces of Kerala Style architecture. Thick-framed doors, narrow corridors, gabled roofs and dormer windows will teleport you into the world of bliss. Most of the small units of the palace are lost in the ravages of time, only the main structure has survived.
The mural of Gajendra Moksham is the centre of attraction of Krishnapuram Palace. It depicts the mythological story of Lord Vishnu who reached earth to save an Elephant (devotee of Lord Vishnu). The mural is placed at the entrance of the palace from the pond so that the kings could bow down to the deity after their bath. It is one of the best heritage tourist attractions to visit in Alleppey.
Your Alleppey tour will be more pleasant if you visit Triveni Floating Market. It is the best place to visit in Alleppey for a day trip. Shopping in this amazing floating market is an experience of a lifetime. You will get to buy things on a boat like fruits, toiletries, stationeries etc. It is a state-owned market.
The most interesting fact about this place is that such kinds of markets used to exist when there was not any other means of transport. People used to travel on boats. Existence of this kind of market in Alleppey makes it the best place to explore in Kerala. It supplies essential items like groceries, stationeries to remote islands but for tourists, shopping on a boat will make the sightseeing more interesting in Alleppey.
Pathiramanal is a bird watcher’s paradise. Lies between Kumarakom and Thaneermukkom, it's a little island on the backwaters and a perfect haunt of thousands of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. A safe haven for hundreds of rare migrating birds. A 1.5-hour motor boat ride or a 30-minute speedboat trip from Alappuzha gets you here. Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi and the Kayamkulam Lake, Pathiramanal is accessible only by boat. It is an ideal pit stop in the middle of a houseboat ride.
The name 'Pathiramanal' means 'Sands of Night'. Estimates say that the area has 91 local species of birds and 50 migratory birds. One can see Pintail Ducks, Common Teal, Night Heron, Cormorant, Darter, Indian Shag, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Indian Pond Heron, Little Egret, Bronze-winged Jacanas, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Whistling Duck, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Little Cormorant and Whiskered Tern. Avid bird watchers will indeed find few other places that rival Pathiramanal.
In Alappuzha district, the small village of Karumadi is a very popular Buddhist pilgrim centre. It houses a special Buddha Statue which dates back to the 11th century. It is under the protection of Kerala Archaeological department. Located at the distance of 3 km towards the easy of Alappuzha, this place has a statue of Buddha called Karumadikuttan, which is a major attraction of tourists. Tourists from all over the world come to seek blessings and to enjoy the calm and scenic setting of this quaint little village. Stunning paddy fields and brackish waters also add to the blissful state of Karumadi to attract the tourists. It is indeed one of the best tourist attractions to visit in Alappuzha.
Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple is famous all over India for the Pal Payasam, a daily offering of deliciously sweet milk porridge. The temple is also noted for the performance of Pallipaana performed every 12 years by Velans (sorcerers). Thousands of devotees crowd this place during the annual festival that falls every year in the month of April.
The temple also has a majestic display of paintings depicting the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu (Dasavatharam). Devotees are also reminded that is here that the first performance of the legendary Ottanthullal, a powerful satirical folk art that comments on various socio-political issues, was first performed.
St. Mary Forane Church is one of the most popular places to visit in Alleppey. It is the oldest catholic church in Kerala. This church dates back to 835 AD and it got the status of a Forane in 1929.It is dedicated to Virgin Mary. Ancient stones with engravings and Thaliyola in the ‘Nanam Moonam’ alphabet will take you back to ancient times.
Moreover, you will also witness some of the oldest, artistic, historic and archaeological objects in granite, wood metal like Granite cross, Altar, Bells, etc. Devotees from all over the world come to see the grandeur of the church of glorious ancient past and seek divine grace. Apart from the Church, serene backwaters flowing adjacent to the church will add a treat to your Alleppey Tour. The church has an open-air rock cross which dates back to CE 1151.
St. Andrew's Church, Arthunkal is one of the famous pilgrim centres situated at the distance of around 8 km towards the south-west of Cherthala town from where one can view a beautiful beach. Though the Church is named after St. Andrew the Apostle, it is the feast of St. Sebastian that has brought fame to Arthunkal. The Arthunkal Perunnal, or the ten-day annual festival, of St. Sebastian's Church in Arthunkal is a joyous event celebrated with much pomp and fervour. Celebrated in January every year, devotees from different parts of the State throng to the church on the feast days in an ardent display of their faith and devotion.