SPECIAL EVENTS

SPECIAL EVENTS

Back Water Trips - Alappuzha-Kollam Backwater Trip | Trips arranged by DTPC | Kuttanadu Boat Cruise | Tourist Boat Cruises

Boat Races - Nehru Trophy Boat Race | Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race | Payippadu Boat Race | Champakkulam Moolam Vallamkali | Other Boat Races

BACK WATER TRIPS


Alappuzha-Kollam Backwater Trip
Daily backwater cruises during September to March and on request during offseason. The trip is an interesting one, the boat passes through palm fringed backwaters and one can have a close view of the country side and fishing activity in the lake. The boat stops for lunch in between. The trip is organised by the ATDC (Alappuzha Tourism Development Corporation) and starts at 10.30 am near the ATDC tourist information centre and reaches Kollam at around 6.00 pm. District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is also arranging the daily backwater tours.
Phone : 0477 - 2253308 /2251796/2243462

Trips arranged by DTPC
Half way journey from Alappuzha to Alumkadavu /Alumkadavu to Kollam (Concession offered to International Student Card holders). Tour covers Karumadikuttan Buddha idol, Kumarakody, Matha Amrithanandamayi Madom, Alumkadavu. Chinese fishing nets, vast paddy fields, coir making and typical Nalukettu Kerala houses are the sights you can see in this trip.

Kuttanadu Boat Cruise
This trip covers the journey from Alappuzha to Kumarakom and back to Alappuzha. The Boat will depart from DTPC boat jetty at 10.00 hrs. Kottayam is 2 1/2 hours by water from Alleppey. The cruise through winding canals and backwaters is an unforgettable experience.


Tourist Boat Cruises
The mechanised and motorised tour section of DTPC has a wide range of luxury boats and speed boats for backwater cruises on the Vembanadu Lake.

Some of the boats operated by DTPC are given below :-

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Kaliyodam (luxury cruiser)
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Pamba (luxury cruiser)
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Raja Hamsam (speedboat)
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Safari No. II (Safari boat)

You can contact following addresses for more details :-

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The Administrative Office, DTPC, Near Boat Jetty, Alappuzha
Phone : 0477- 2253308, Fax: 0477- 2251720
Email: atlanda@poboxes.com
*

Tourist Reception Centre (DTPC), Near KSRTC Bus Station, Alappuzha
Phone : 0477- 2251796 or Sea View Park (A project of DTPC Alappuzha)



BOAT RACES


Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race (Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada)
This Boat Race held at the Vembanad lake, east of Alappuzha town. It is the most famous boat race held on the second Saturday of August every year. Boats of all sizes compete in different events. Most prestigious and interesting event is the competition of the "Chundan Vallam". This boat (Chundan Vallam) containes 100 rowers, 4 helmsmen and 25 cheer leaders. The boat is well decorated with colorful umbrellas. Champakulam, Kavalam, Karichal, Jawahar Thayangari, Kallooparamban, Pacha, Pulincunnu, Nedubhagam, Cheruthana, Kandangari and Paippad are the chief competitors for the trophies. Tickets are available at various stalls on the way. Carrying Packed food and an umbrella to the venue will make you very comfortable.

Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race (Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race)
This boat race is held on two weeks after the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. It is held at Pulinkunnu, 10 km away from the Alleppey town. The boat race is conducted in memory of Late Mr.Rajiv Gandhi, the former Indian Prime Minister.

Payippadu Boat Race : (Payippad Jalotsavam - August/September)
Held in memory of the Prathista ceremony of Haripad Subramanya Temple and therefore has a religious significance. Payipad Boat Race is celebrated for three days, commencing from the Onam festival day. Snake boat Processions are taken out on the first two days. The competitive boat-race takes place on the third day.

Champakkulam "Moolam Vallamkali" (July)
The traditional annual boat race of Kerala begin in July at Champakulam. This festival is known as ' Moolam Vallamkali' . Moolam signifies a Malayalam asterism (star or Nakshathram), Moolam of the month Mithunam.

OTHER BOAT RACES

* Tourism Boat Race (connected with Great Elephant March - 11th January)
* Neerattupuram Boat Race (conducted during Onam - August/September)
* Pamba Boat Race, Thiruvalla
* Karuvatta Boat Race, Haripad
* Mannar Boat Race