Alappuzha Lighthouse: A Beacon of History and Scenic Beauty

 Nestled along the scenic coast of Kerala in the picturesque town of Alappuzha (Alleppey), the Alappuzha Lighthouse in Kerala stands as a timeless sentinel, guiding seafarers since the 19th century. This historic lighthouse is well known for its captivating blend of history and breathtaking views and offers a unique travel experience for visitors. In this short blog post, let us have a look into what makes the Alappuzha Lighthouse a must-visit destination.

A Glimpse into History

Built in the year 1862 during the British colonial era, the Alappuzha Lighthouse is a testament to the region's maritime heritage. This towering structure stands at approximately 30 meters (about 100 feet), and has witnessed the evolution of Alappuzha from a bustling port town to a serene and popular tourist destination. The lighthouse in Alappuzha was constructed to help the ships navigating the deceptive waters of the Arabian Sea, ensuring safe passage for traders and sea travellers.

The architectural design of the lighthouse in Alappuzha is a blend of colonial and traditional Kerala styles. The cylindrical tower, decorated with red and white stripes, creates a striking contrast against the azure sky and lush greenery of the surroundings. As we approach the lighthouse, we will be able to see the well-preserved charm that has stood firm against the test of time.

Ascending to Panoramic Views

The journey to the top of the Alappuzha Lighthouse is an amazing adventure in itself. As you climb the spiral staircase of the lighthouse, each step brings you closer to a mesmerizing panoramic view and beauty. Once you reach the top of the lighthouse, you will be able to see the breathtaking perspective that stretches over the Arabian Sea, the tranquil backwaters, and the charming town of Alappuzha.

The view from the top of the lighthouse in Alappuzha is particularly enchanting during sunset, and during this time, the sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant hues. Watching the sun dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, is a stunning experience that lingers in your memory long after you have descended the lighthouse.

A Photographer's Paradise

For those who are photography enthusiasts, the Alappuzha Lighthouse offers neverending opportunities to capture stunning shots. The play of light and shadow on the lighthouse's exterior, the sweeping views of the coastline, and the serene ambiance make it a perfect subject for both amateur and professional photographers. Whether you are capturing the lighthouse against the backdrop of a clear blue sky or framing the sun setting over the sea, each photograph will certainly tell a story of its own.

Nearby Attractions

While the Alappuzha Lighthouse is a major spotlight in itself, there are several other attractions nearby that are worth exploring. The well-known Alappuzha Beach, with its pristine sands and relaxed atmosphere, is very nearby. The beach in Alappuzha is perfect for a leisurely stroll, a soul refreshing swim, or simply unwinding while listening to the gentle waves.

Additionally, the backwaters of Alappuzha are well known for their beauty and tranquility. A houseboat cruise along the serene backwaters of Alappuzha provides a unique perspective of the region, allowing you to experience the charm of traditional villages of Kerala, lush landscapes, and diverse wildlife.

Practical Information

Location: The Alappuzha Lighthouse is located on the coast of Alappuzha in Kerala, and easily accessible from the town center.

Visiting Hours: The lighthouse in Alappuzha is open to visitors from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. It is recommended to check the timings before planning your visit.

Entry Fee: A nominal entry fee is charged for the visitors, which contributes to the maintenance and preservation of this historic landmark.

The Alappuzha Lighthouse is more than just a navigational aid and is a beacon of history, a photographer's delight, and a gateway to breathtaking views. Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover, or simply seeking a moment of tranquility, a visit to the Lighthouse in Alappuzha is sure to provide an unforgettable experience. So, the next time you find yourself in Kerala, make sure to include this iconic travel spot in your travel itinerary and let its timeless charm captivate your mind and heart.

Kerala’s 'zero-waste' Alappuzha among top five cities in UN list to successfully manage solid waste

The waste management system that is being implemented in Kerala's coastal town of Alappuzha has been recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as one of the 5 models across the world for fighting the pollution menace.

Alappuzha has been listed in the UNEP environment report entitled, 'Solid approach to waste: how five cities are beating pollution' alongside cities like Osaka in Japan, Ljubljana in Slovenia, Penang in Malaysia and Cajica in Colombia.

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had also lauded the unique initiative and the town that attracts tourists from all over the world emerged as the cleanest city in the country in the survey conducted by them in 2015-16. It was also presented as a zero-waste model at the Paris Climate Conference in 2015.


Kerala Suchitwa Mission officials said that the parameters considered for the survey were based on the centralized system of waste management involving the door-to-door collection and centralized waste processing. However, Alappuzha followed a decentralized system under which the waste is managed at the source itself.



Door-to-door and centralized treatment of waste is not practical in a state like Kerala with a very high-density population. It may not be sustainable too in the long run. It is debatable whether Swacch Bharat Mission should change their approach or not.



Alappuzha addressed the problem by introducing a decentralized waste management system. In fact, many civic bodies in the country have started looking at the Alappuzha model seriously. Some local bodies in Tamil Nadu have already sought the assistance of the Suchitwa Mission in setting up the decentralized waste management system, the mission official said.


Biogas plants, both portable and fixed, were installed in households, with 50 percent subsidy from government agencies. Hotels, vegetable markets, wedding halls were asked to have their own plants or make arrangements to entrust their waste to recognized private service providers. Within a month, the scheme was rolled out in 12 more wards. The urban body has so far established 5,000 kitchen bins, 3,000 biogas plants, 2,800 pipe composting units, and 218 aerobic composting units to manage 58-60 tonnes of waste the town generates daily.


Plastic and other non-degradable wastes are segregated at the source and delivered to the respective units. While the kitchen waste can be deposited in public aerobic bins, the plastic waste is separately collected once a month by the municipality officials from the units or households and handed over to private parties for recycling. Plastic waste can also be given to the state government's Clean Kerala Company which sells it to factories in other states.


The waste deposited at the aerobic compost plants in public places is converted into organic fertilizers and distributed to the public free of cost. Each unit, comprising two bins, processes 2,000 kilograms of waste and converted it into fertilizer within 90 days. The municipality has plans to sell it at subsidized rates in the coming months.

Suchitwa Mission officials said that the success of the model had encouraged several civic bodies in the state to switch over to decentralized waste management. While 20 municipalities and 300 village panchayats have already launched the project, the others have started the process. A senior official said their target was to cover the entire state within the next two years.


The municipality also encountered resistance when aerobic plants were set up in the public places. The municipality solved this problem by beautifying the area around the aerobic units. The walls of the units were decorated with attractive paintings and converted some as parks and meeting places. One such park has now become a tourist attraction in the town.

However, the municipality officials are hopeful that they will be able to sustain the project since they have been able to bring about a behavioral change in the people. This will not only help maintain the city but also attract more tourists to the city.


Source: http://www.firstpost.com/india/keralas-zero-waste-alappuzha-among-top-five-cities-in-un-list-to-successfully-manage-solid-waste-4236667.html

Mararikulam Beach in Alappuzha and its Amazing Beauty

Beaches are the hallmark of Alappuzha in Kerala and forms a major influence in boosting the overall tourism industry in Alappuzha. There are a lot of calm and unexplored beaches in Alappuzha that are ideal for a trip along with family or friends. One such beach in Alappuzha is the Mararikulam beach which is located between Alappuzha city and Kochi.

Mararikulam beach in Alappuzha is one of the best examples of calm, serene and sandy beaches of Kerala. Unlike other popular beaches in Kerala, the Mararikulam beach is less crowded and provides you with peaceful and calm atmosphere. You can enjoy your trip by riding kites, having tea and snacks and looking towards the long stretching sandy beaches.

Unlike other travel places in south India, it will be difficult to find a decent accommodation near Mararikulam beach and for this you need to go for some accommodation facilities in Ernakulam or Alappuzha. But when we compare other beaches in India, it is very much easy to avail an accommodation near those beaches. In Mararikulam, you might not be able to get high end luxuries, but still this beach is something worth visiting.

Unexpected Water Logging at A C Road Alappuzha

I just made a journey through the famous Alappuzha - Changanacherry (AC) Road few days back and really met with some surprise water logging on the road. The AC road is one of the best road in this part of Kerala and it is a long and straight stretch of road which connects Alappuzha with Changanacherry. The road is of high quality and driving along this road is a dream for all drivers.

Another thing that attracts people is the majestic natural beauty that is seen on either side of the road till it reaches Changanacherry. Both sides of the roads are made beautiful with the presence of long stretching paddy fields, toddy shops, occasional houses, rivers and boats. I was really enjoying the ride when suddenly I had to stop the car due to water logging. I am not sure how the water entered the road but I had to be careful while driving through the water.

The name of the place was Mankombu and the water made it difficult to walk on foot and I was lucky that I was inside a car and I carefully drove through the water till I reached the safe area. Such unexpected water logging and other issues can really create a negative impact on the tourism industry of Alappuzha and this needs to be fixed at the earliest. Hope that something will be done by the authorities to tackle the issue.

Some Stunning Views of Alappuzha Backwaters

The beauty of the backwaters in Alappuzha is something that cannot be completely described in words. If you happen to take a houseboat trip along the backwaters of Alappuzha, then you might be able to discover the charming beauty of the long stretching backwaters. The best place to take some good pictures with your friends and family, the backwaters provide you with a cooling effect that is beyond explanation.

Here are 5 pictures of the Alapppuzha backwaters which I have gathered from the internet and hope that these pics will provide some glimpse about the amazing beauty of the backwaters, which makes Alappuzha a top travel destination in Kerala as well as in India. Just have a look at the pictures and hope everyone enjoys it.

A Houseboat in the backwaters of Alapuzha

A Toddy Shop in the Middle of the Backwaters

Backwaters of Alappuzha

The Charming Backwaters of  Aleppey
A View from a Houseboat in the Backwaters

Why We Love Travelling to Alappuzha

Alappuzha is one of the most popular tourist places in south India and is also known as the "Venice of the East". Alappuzha has a lot of potential in terms of tourism, and is one of the major income generating tourist places in Kerala. Unlike other places in Kerala, Alappuzha is blessed with a unique beauty and geographical features that attracts a lot of tourists throughout the year. The number of people visiting Alappuzha is on a rapid increase by each passing years and this is the major evidence why this place has a prominent spot in the tourism map of Kerala.

There are a lot of factors that attracts people towards this place and people of all age group love travelling to Alappuzha for a various number of reasons. Here are 5 important reasons in my opinion, that makes people love to visit this beautiful place in Kerala again and again.

1) Amazing and Beautiful Stretches of Backwaters
Backwaters are the trademark of Alappuzha and if you are on a trip to this place, you will never miss out the view of the amazing and beautiful stretches of backwaters. Most of the places in Alappuzha are influenced by the backwaters and this is mainly due to its low altitude from the sea level. Travelers love watching and taking snaps of the backwaters so that they can cherish its beauty for a longer time period. The beauty of the backwaters of Alappuzha is something that keeps travellers from visiting this place again and again.

2) Facility to Enjoy a Houseboat Trip Along the Backwaters
The beautiful backwaters of Alappuzha are stretched too long and is one of the major ingredients that boosts the overall tourism industry in Kerala. One of the best ways to explore the majestic beauty of the backwaters of Aleppey is to take a ride on the specially designed houseboats that are seen in this part of Kerala. The houseboats or kettuvallams are boats specially designed for taking a ride along the backwaters and spending a day in middle. The houseboats are like  a small house with all the facilities and amenities that will make your stay comfortable. You can also enjoy special food that are prepared inside the houseboats and overall the houseboat trips are the most enjoyable thing during your trip to Alappuzha.

3) An Opportunity to Enjoy Toddy and Delicious Food from Toddy Shop
Have you heard about Toddy? It is not a food, rather it is a drink that is taken from various type of palm trees such as palmyra, date palms, and coconut palms. Also known as "Palm Wine", the toddy is an alcoholic beverage that are available in toddy shops across Kerala. Enjoying toddy and delicious food from a toddy shop in Alappuzha is something that can bring special enjoyment to your trip. The food will be traditional spicy Kerala dishes and enjoying them with palm wine is something that everyone loves to do. If you have enjoyed toddy and food from a toddy shop in Alappuzha, then it is without doubt that the delicious taste will prompt you to visit this place again and again.

4) Presence of Beaches to Make Your Trip More Enjoyable
Alappuzha is not all about backwaters and there are also other travel places of interest that you can enjoy while visiting this place. The beaches and other places that are present in Alappuzha is something that you can really enjoy while on your trip. The Alappuzha beach is a popular tourist destination where you can enjoy some good time with family and friends. You might also get a chance to enjoy a ride on the camel top, as there are guys with camels specially meant for tourism activities. You can enjoy a walk along the beaches and enjoy a nice sunset to recharge your mind and body.

5) Adorable Traditional Villages and Paddy Fields
If you are tired of watching the backwaters, houseboat rides and walking along the beaches of Alappuzha, then there is another option that can really provide you fresh travel experiences. Taking a trip through the traditional villages and paddy fields of Alappuzha can bring about a fresh feeling that you have never experienced before. The amazing beauty of the local villages and the green paddy fields are a real treat to the eyes. Meanwhile you can also have a tea and snacks from a local tea shop that can provide you a different taste.

Make Your Travel to Alappuzha Before June 2012

If you are an avid traveller and plans to visit Alappuzha in Kerala, then better you plan your travel package before June 2012, otherwise you would be wasting your money after that. The main reason is that the monsoon season hits Kerala on the first week of June and from there onwards it would be in full strength till September. Since Alappuzha is a low lying plain land, the rainy season would make a mess of it and it would be really unworthy of planning a tour travel package to Alappuzha during that time.

Once the monsoon arrives in Alappuzha, most of the areas in Alappuzha would be experiencing water logging and you would not be able to enjoy the beauty of Alappuzha at its best. More over many epidemics breaks out in Alleppey during the monsoon season leading to serious health issues. Taking all these factors into consideration, most of the travellers dare to make a trip to Alappuzha between June to September of every year.

Due to the heavy monsoon rainfalls in Alappuzha during the months between June - September, the tourism industry in Alappuzha comes to a halt and majority of the houseboats that takes travellers for a backwater ride would be seen empty. Most of the houseboats offers backwater ride at really low rates as they really becomes hit by the off tourism season. Even though it is a wonderful experience to cruise along the backwaters of Alappuzha in a houseboat during the monsoon season, the number of tourist taking a backwater ride during this time is negligible due to many other factors.

But once the monsoon is over by Septembers, travellers start coming to Alappuzha to explore it amazing beauty and charm. The houseboats will start raising their tariffs and would be in full flow by mid-November. So if you are planning to travel Alappuzha in the near future, then make it before June. Otherwise you would have to wait another 4 or 5 months which would be a big time gap as far as your professional and personal life is concerned.