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Toddy Shops in Alappuzha: Exploring Kerala’s Traditional Kallu Shaap Culture

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Alappuzha, popularly known as Alleppey, is celebrated for its tranquil backwaters, houseboats, paddy fields and coconut palms. But beyond the familiar tourist attractions lies another important part of the region's food and cultural identity—the traditional toddy shop, or kallu shaap . For generations, toddy shops have been closely connected with the everyday life of Kerala's villages. In Alappuzha, their character is particularly distinctive because many are located beside canals, backwaters and paddy fields. A visit can therefore combine traditional Kerala food with the atmosphere of Kuttanad and the Alappuzha backwaters. Kerala Tourism itself highlights toddy shops as an important part of Alappuzha's culinary experience. What Is a Toddy Shop? A toddy shop is a traditional establishment where kallu , the naturally fermented sap collected from coconut palms, is served. Toddy is different from commercially produced alcoholic beverages because it has a strong connection w...

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 des...

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 centra...

Mararikulam Beach in Alappuzha and its Amazing Beauty

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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 ...

Unexpected Water Logging at A C Road Alappuzha

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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 ...

Some Stunning Views of Alappuzha Backwaters

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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

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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 ...