Alappuzha – Kerala’s Enchanted Water World

Alappuzha -- the name means “broad river” in Malayalam -- is famous for its backwaters, houseboats, boat races, temples and seafood. These attractions have earned it the moniker “Venice of the East.” Founded in 1762 by Raja Keshavadasan, Diwan of the princely state of Travancore under Maharaja Raja Rama Varma, it is considered to be the oldest planned town in the region. This year Alappuzha, formerly known by its Anglicised name of Alleppey, celebrates its 250th anniversary. Yahoo! reader J MADHU RANTHAKAN presents a compilation of captivating images of this enchanting town.

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Yahoo Lifestyle Entertainment Photo by J MADHU RANTHAKAN Mon 18 Jun, 2012 2:30 PM IST

The famous travelers Pliny and Ptolemy of the 1st and 2nd centuries mentioned places like Purakkad or Barace in their classical works. In the middle ages, trade relations existed between Alappuzha and ancient Rome. Religion and culture flourished here under the later Chera Empire from the 9th to 12th century AD. It was the commercial metropolis of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom for more than a century.
The famous travelers Pliny and Ptolemy of the 1st and 2nd centuries mentioned places like Purakkad or Barace in their classical works. In the middle ages, trade relations existed between Alappuzha and ancient Rome. Religion and culture flourished here under the later Chera Empire from the 9th to 12th century AD. It was the commercial metropolis of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom for more than a century.