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Aleppey, Kerala, India
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Kerala, located on the southwestern coast of India, is said to have legendary origins. The Sage Parashuram was looking for a piece of land to perform yagna (sacrifice), and threw his axe into the sea from Gokarna and the sea retreated resulting in the formation of the land of Kerala. The antiquity of the state can be traced as early as 500 BC. People have been sailing to Kerala in search of spices, sandalwood and ivory for 2000 years. The coasts were known to the Phoenicians, Romans and later the Arabs and Chinese. Christianity was introduced to Kerala before the rest of India.
The influence of Kerala's trade links with other nations is still evident in its architecture and Chinese fishing nets. The state shows great unity in diversity. All the religions flourish side by side and the entire landscape is dotted with churches, temples, mosques and synagogues. Kerala is a land of lagoons and beaches. Limitless stretches of lush vegetation and mist shrouded mountains.
Alleppey, is endowed with immense natural beauty and has emerged as one of the major tourist destinations of the country. The sandy strip of land with the Arabian Sea to its west is woven by lagoons and an array of rivers, canals, and lakes. These lakes are used for inland water transport and many of the FFA families earn their living by fishing in these waters as well as in the Arabian Sea.
Coir and carpet making are also major industries in Alleppey. Both loom woven and frame woven carpets are made by many of the FFA families as their major source of income.
There are 14 towns and 91 villages scattered throughout Alleppey. It has a population of over 2 million and covers approximately 1,500 sq. miles.
Information and maps courtesy of the Indian Map Service.
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