Alleppey Culture & Heritage
Alleppey is a multicultural town. Its jovial people, only add to the charm of the place. Alleppey or Alappuzha has a unique culture. The people of Alleppey are quite close to nature and are fond of living a simple and peaceful life.
Clothing:
For men, the traditional outfit is white Mundu and Neriathu, which is a plain white dhoti that is embroidered with golden silk lining. For women, the traditional attire is a cream-colored sari with a golden border.
Festivals:
Once cannot commit the mistake of comparing Alleppey to a quiet town as it comes alive with activity during the is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race that is held in the month of August on the on the Punnamada Lake. The spectacular show of strength, rhythm and drumbeats, the event involves a boat race where huge snake boats or Chundans are rowed by 100 of oarsmen. This event is a major crowd puller. Another popular boat races are Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, Payippad Jalotsavam and Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali.
Along with the major festivals of Onam and Ugadi, another popular festival is Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple Festival, which is celebrated in the month of February/March in Mavelikkara. A procession takes place on this festival which is attended by a large number of locals, beautifully decorated statues of bullocks and horses.
The Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple each year plays host to other popular festivals such as Navarathri, Chirappu Mahotsavam and Thaipooyakavadi Festivals. Navarathri Festival is a nine-day whose highlight is colorful processions of beautifully decked-up elephants on the last 2 days along with cultural performances including Ottanthullal. At the time of Thaipooyakavadi Festival around 15 palanquin bearers become a part of an amazing procession. The Edathua Feast of St. George is a part of St. George's Church Festival that starts on 27th April and ends on 7th May. Gold adorned statue of the Saint is carried towards the main dais during the procession. The end of the festival is marked by great fireworks. An interesting trend of this festival is that to pay their homage to the Saint, the devotees roll on the ground. To free themselves of diseases, the devotees offer human organs and serpents made from silver and gold.
Economy:
The economy of the region is primarily based on agriculture, shell collection, coir industries, backwater fishing, handicraft and handloom. However, tourism plays a big role in taking-up the revenue of the region. Every year, a large number of tourists visit the Alleppey backwaters.
Art, Literature and Music:
The art and customs of the people of Alleppey are same as the people of central Kerala. Farmers still sing folk songs during sowing and harvesting in their fields, the stirring songs by the Panans, and some traditional dance forms have been kept alive. However, tribal population in Alleppey is quite small. This district has also played an important role in the development of Malayalam language and literature.