Alappuzha

This article is about the metropolis in Kerala, India. For its namesake district, see Alappuzha district.

Alappuzha
Municipality[1]
Clockwise from top left: Alappuzha houseboat, Alappuzha Beach, Vembanad Lake, Roman Catholic Diocese of Alleppey, Jain temple, Mullakkal Temple, State Highway 11 (Kerala)
Nickname: 
"Venice of the East"
Map
Alappuzha is located in Kerala
Alappuzha
Alappuzha
Alappuzha is located in India
Alappuzha
Alappuzha
Coordinates: 9°29′N 76°20′E / 9.49°N 76.33°E / 9.49; 76.33
Country India
State Kerala
DistrictAlappuzha district
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodyAlappuzha Municipality
 • Municipal ChairpersonJayamma (CPIM)
Area
 • Total
65.57 km2 (25.32 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[2][3]
240,991
 • Rank6th
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English[4]
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
688001
Telephone code0477
Vehicle registration
  • KL-04 Alappuzha,
  • KL-29 Kayamkulam
  • KL-30 Chengannur
  • KL-31 Mavelikkara
  • KL-32 Cherthala
  • KL-66 Kuttanad
Sex ratio1079 ♂/♀
Websitealappuzha.gov.in
Preview warning: Page using Template:Infobox settlement with unknown parameter "former_name"
Sun rise view Alleppey backwaters , Kerala

Alappuzha (Malayalam: [aːlɐpːuɻɐ] ⓘ), formerly known as Alleppey, is a city and municipality[1] in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. It is the district headquarters of the district, and is located about 130 km (80.8 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Alappuzha has a population of 240,991 people, and a population density of 3,675/km2 (9,520/sq mi).

Alappuzha dates back to the Sangam era, and was mentioned by Pliny the Elder as far back as the 1st century AD as "Baraces".[5] Later in the 16th and 17th centuries, the town flourished as an important hub for trading spices with various European powers including the Dutch and the Portuguese. Under the rule of Raja Kesavadas, a port was constructed and canals for transport were laid throughout the city, and the town experienced rapid development. However, by the late 18th century, the region had come under British rule and experienced a decline in its status as a centre for commerce and culture.[6]

Today, Alappuzha is a prominent tourist destination in Kerala. The town is famous for its waterways and backwaters, and has been described as the "Venice of the East" for the small canals winding through its historic centre. Its also known as the Tarshish land of Kerala[7] It plays a role as one of the primary access points for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race during the festival of Onam.[8][9] Alappuzha is also a hub for coir manufacturing, and has a thriving coir industry.[10]

  1. ^ a b https://lsgkerala.gov.in/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ "Table - 3 : Population, population in the age group 0-6 and literates by sex - Cities/Towns (in alphabetic order): 2001". Archived from the original on 25 February 2004. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Cities and Towns in Alappuzha (Kerala, India) - Population Statistics, Charts". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  4. ^ "The Kerala Official Language (Legislation) Act, 1969" (PDF).
  5. ^ "History | District Alappuzha, Government of Kerala | India". Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  6. ^ "History of Alappuzha". www.alappuzhaonline.in.
  7. ^ "History | District Alappuzha, Government of Kerala | India". Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Nehru Trophy Boat Race."The History of NTBR ::::". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-05."
  9. ^ "Tourist Places in India, Best Places to Visit in India". Maps of India.
  10. ^ "coir industry ":: About Coir ::". Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-05."