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India's very own "Venice of the East," Alappuzha is a bustling market town found by the backwaters of the Arabian Sea. Set in a gridlock of canals and bridges, it is most known for the famed Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race held every second Saturday of August. A fiercely competitive event, it pits the impressive chundans (snake boats) measuring more than a hundred feet in length in a race that "snakes" along the interspersed water channels. In fact, chundans are regarded as the largest water vessels ever to be used for sporting events, powered by the combined manpower of rowers that reach over a hundred strong. This eye-catching spectacle captures the imagination of around 200,000 people annually, including tourists from different parts of the globe.
Alappuzha is not all boat races, though. One can head to the Alleppey Beach's white sands to hang-out and relax. Unfortunately, swimming is not advisable as the water is deep, and the current very strong. So much for it being a "beach." A particular highlight of a visit to the town is the Krishnapuram Palace that was built during the 18th century. A classic example of a Kerala-style architecture, it is characterized by its gabled roofs, narrow corridors, and dormer windows. One can even find there a huge mural called the Gajendra Moksham.
Another popular attraction is the Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, whose ruling deity is believed to possess miraculous healing powers. It is also known for its colorful Kettukazhcha Festival that is attended by a large number of devotees. Alappuzha doesn't lack in natural beauty, either. Tourists can't go wrong heading to Pathiramanal, a quaint yet charming island found in the middle of the Vembanad Lake that serves as a sanctuary for dozens of rare migratory bird life. Another is Kuttanad, affectionately called the "Rice Bowl of Kerala." It is unique in that it is probably the only farming area on the planet that is situated below the sea level.
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