Climate in Alappuzha

CLIMATE

The climate is moist and hot in the coast and slightly cool and dry in the interior of the district. The average monthly temperature is 250C. The district also gets the benefit of two outstanding monsoons as in the case of other parts of the state.

• Hot season - March to May
• South-west monsoon (Edavappathi) - June to September
• North-east monsoon (Thulavarsham) - October to November
• Dry weather - December to February

The district has 8 reporting rain gauge stations at Arookutty, Cherthala, Alappuzha, Ambalapuzha, Harippad, Kayamkulam, Mavelikkara and Chengannur as recorded in 1989. The average rainfall in the district is 2763 mm.

Canals & Sea Cost in Alappuzha

Canals

Alappuzha has a network of canals included in the west coast canal system which are used for navigation. The important canals are Vadai canal, Commercial canals and the link canals between these two canals. Apart from these, there are many inland canals which are mainly used for passenger navigation and commercial purposes.The lakes are used for inland water transport of passengers and cargo. Inland fisheries have also been flourished in these regions.

Sea Cost

Alappuzha has a flat unbroken sea coast of 82 Km in length which is 13.9 % of the total coastal line of the state. An interesting phenomenon of this seacoast during the month of June is the periodic shifting of mud bank popularly known as "Chakara" within a range of 25 Km in Alappuzha-Purakkad coast due to hydrolic pressure when the level of backwater rises during south-west monsoon.

Back Waters in Alappuzha

Back Waters
Back waters in Alappuzha are:

• Vembanad Lake
• Kayamkulam Lake

Vembanad Lake

The Vembanad lake, the most important of the west coast canal system has a length of 84 Km and an average breadth of 3.1 Km. It covers an area of 204 Sq.Km. Stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi it borders Cherthala, Ambalapuzha and Kuttanad Taluks of Alappuzha district, Kottayam, vaikom and Changanasserry taluks of Kottayam district, Kochi and Kanayannur Taluks of Ernakulam district. Pamba, Achankovil , Manimala, Meenachil and Muvattupuzha rivers discharge into this lake. Pathiramanal, often called the mysterious sand of midnight, having coconut palms and luxuriant vegetation is situated in the centre of this lake. Perumbalam and Pallippuram are the other islands in this lake. The Thannermukkom regulator constructed across Vembanad lake between Thannermukkom and Vechur is intended to prevent tidal action and intrusion of saline water into the lake. It is the largest mud regulator in India.

Kayamkulam Lake

Stretching between Panmana and Karthikappally, Kayamkulam lake is a shallow lake which has an outlet to sea at Kayamkulam barrage. It has an area of 59.57 Sq.Km., a length of 30.5 Km and an average breadth of 2.4 Km. It connects Ashtamudi lake by the Chavara Panmana canal.

Rivers in Alappuzha

Rivers
Three rivers flow through Alappuzha district they are:

• Manimala River
• Pamba River
• Achancovil River

Manimala River

It Originates from Mothavara hills in Kottayam district enters the district at Thalavadi village in Kuttanad taluk and passes through Edathua and Champakulam villages and joins the Pamba river at Muttar.The villages of Manimala, Mallappally, Kaviyoor, Kalloppara, Thalavadi, Kozhimukku and Champakkulam lies in the course of the river Manimala. It has a length of 91.73 Km and drainage area of 802.90 Km.

Pamba River

Pamba, the third longest river in Kerala , which has its origin at Peerumedu, after traversing a distance of 177.08 kms. itself in the Vembanad lake. The catchment area of this river is 1987.17 sq. kms. And has a marginal length of 74.02 kms.

Achancovil River

Achancovil river is Also Known as Kulallada river.This river entering Alappuzha district at about three miles from the west of Kaipattoor adopts a westerly course till it reaches Chennithala. After that it takes a southwesterly course and joins Pamba at Veeyapuram. The catchment area of this river is 1155.14 sq.kms. And has a marginal length of 32.19 kms.

Alappuzha Boat Races

BOAT RACES

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. Boat race crew begin to practice for the race months before the great day. They live together, eat together, toil together to work themselves into a smooth, co-ordinated team.

A splendid procession unfolds with all types of 'Kali-Vallangal' or RACING BOATS, led by the largest and the most majestic of them, the 'Chundan'. Its rowers sing songs known as ' vanchi pattu ' to the rhythm of the oars - a feast for the eyes and the ears. The largest of the 'Chundan' boats, the length of which varies between a hundred and a hundred and thirty feet can seat a hundred and twenty rowers, sixty on each side. Like the neck of an angry snake it curves to a height of fifteen to twenty feet. The prow is pointed and stands four feet above the water with its glistening brass embellishments. The main steerman of the boat stands on the amaram with specially made long oars. The efficiency with which they handle the oar is what establishes the speed of the boat and its balance. They claim that a single strong plunge of the oar into the water can take the boat three leaps forward to a distance of thirty feet.

NEHRU TROPHY BOAT RACE

The most famous of these is the NEHRU TROPHY BOAT RACE on the Second Saturday of August every year.There are a dozen other Snake Boat Races. The latest addition is the one in connection with the GREAT ELEPHANT MARCH held on 19th of January every year. Champakulam, Kavalam, Karichal, Jawahar Thayangari, Kallooparamban, Pacha, Pulincunnu, Nedubhagam, Cheruthana, Kandangari and Paippad are the chief competitors for the trophies. Large and spectacular chundans glide towards the finishing line like meteors in the sky with water splashing violently on both sides like streaks of lightning. An unforgettable and truly spectacular scene. The fund of energy, spirit of competition and unerring co-ordination makes this sport one of the most dynamic.

On the boat race day, the Chundan Valloms are smeared with a special oil to make them glide effortlessly through water. The crew then visit a shrine carrying the stroke and largest steering oar with them. And having offered prayers to the Almighty, they are ready to war with their fellow men. The air crackles with excitement as the best of the 130 feet Chundan Valloms, each manned by over a hundred rowers, fly through the waters at break neck speed, egged on by the fierce competitive spirit that marks the event and the spectators lusty roars.

Other Boat Races are

• Tourism Boat Race: Connected with Great Elephant March- 11th January.
• Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race: Pulimkunnu- August Last Saturday
• Champakulam Boat Race: Connected with the Asterism "Moolam" of Midhunam, a malayalam month- June-July.
• Neerattupuram Boat Race: Conducted during Onam days- August-Sep.
• Kettukazhcha: Chettikulangara- February-March.
• 'Kettukazhcha' is very famous and it is a procession of tall decorated structures in chariots in which effigies of horses, bullocks are displayed.
• Pamba Boat Race: Thiruvalla.
• Karuvatta Boat Race: Haripad.
• Mannar Boat Race.

Districts in Kerala

Districts in Kerala

• Alappuzha
• Ernakulam
• Idukki
• Kannur
• Kasargod
• Kollam
• Kottayam
• Kozhikode
• Malappuram
• Palakkad
• Pathanamthitta
• Thiruvananthapuram
• Thrissur
• Wayanad

Kerala

Colourful Kerala is an enchanting keleidoscope, full of breathtaking surprises. This fabled land is believed to have legendary origins. It is said that sage Parashuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was looking for a piece of virgin land to perform yagna (sacrifice), thus he threw his axe into the sea from Gokarna (near present day Mangalore) and the sea retreated, resulting in formation of the beautiful land of Kerala. The antiquity os the State can be traced as early as 5000 to 3000 BC. People have been sailing to Kerala in search of spices, sandalwood and ivory for at least 2000 years. The coasts of the State were known to the Phoenicians, Romans and later on to the Arabs and Chinese, long before Vasco da Gama came to India. Christianity and Islam were introduced to Kerala much before the rest of India. The present day state of Kerala Came into being on 1st November 1956, by merging two princely states, Travancore and Cochin and the Malabar, which was under the Madras Presidency.
The influence of Kerala's trade links with far off nations and civilisations in still evident in its architectural styles and chinese fishing nets. The State is an epitome of secularism and a masterpiece of unity in diversity. All the religious flourished side by side in the centuries that followed and tghe entire landscape is dotted with temples, churches, mosques and synagogues. The State has a reputation of imbibing anything new, but, also holding on to their rich traditions and culture. The people of Kerala are regarded as the most enterprising and industriouss people in the country. Their substantial presence all over the world, especially in the Gulf countries has helped the country to earn valuable foreign exchange.
The land of lagoons and beaches invites you to discover the meaning of enchantment and is a made-to-order vacation paradise. It is studded with lively palm-fringed wide sandy beaches, limitless stretches of lush vegetation and mistshrouded mountains. A part from exotic scenery, Kerala unfolds a cultural canvas, fascinating in its variety. The frenzied tempo of snake boat races. The classical dignity of Kathakali. The lyrical beauty of Mohiniyattam. The satirical wit of Ottan Thullal. The controlled skill of Kalaripayattu and the exquisite workmanship of Kerala handicrafts. A visit to this tiny fertile friendly land will reveal a kaleidoscope of deep rooted cultures, traditions and delightful sensations. Though this land of rivers and backwaters, is busy raising valuable cash crops like tea. rubber, cardamom, coffee, and cashewnut, it still lives at the leisurely peace of ageless craft plying in canals and backwaters.