Post by Trinetra Tours on Apr 4, 2014 17:50:13 GMT 5.5
Alleppey is a town located in the southern part of India. Alleppey is considered to be the oldest planned town in this region and the lighthouse built on the coast of the town is the first of its kind along the Laccadive Sea coast. It is a town with picturesque canals, backwaters and lagoons, and is described as the "Venice of the East" by Lord Curzon. The most important tourist attraction in Alleppey is the leisurely boat cruise along the stretch of backwaters fringed by coconut palms. The materials that go into the making of houseboat are all local and Eco-friendly; bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats carpets etc. The main wood used is "Anjali ". The Houseboat provides all comforts - Beds, a kitchen, western toilets and an upper deck. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. Alleppey is also known for its snake-boat races held on the second Saturday of August, every year. This competition; the Nehru boat race takes its name from India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, which was inaugurated in 1952. It is excitement all around as snake-boats, each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind. The event is a tremendous success with tourists and the local population alike. Alleppey is one of the most important tourist centers in the state, with a large network of inland canals. These large networks of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. A houseboat cruise in these backwaters is a delightful experience. The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alleppey gives one a firsthand experience of the lifestyle; toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, Coir-making, prawn farming etc., which remains more or less unchanged over the years.