Built in the 9th century AD, Alleppey, called Alappuzha lies on the edge of the great Ashtamudi Lake. With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast labyrinth of lakes, lagoons and several freshwater rivers criss-crossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty.

Related to the Venice of the East by travellers from around the world, this Backwater Country is also home to diverse range of animals and birds. It has always been honored a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala for its proximity to the sea. Alleppey has earned fame in the commercial world as the world's premier supplier of coir.

Today, Alleppey has emerged as a Backwater Tourist Centre, beckoning thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alleppey is also famous for its Boat races, Houseboat Holidays, Beaches, Marine Products and Coir Industry. Every year, during August-September, Alleppey wakes up to the pulsating Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race, a water sport unique to Kerala.

Kerala backwaters are the most popular tourist attraction of Kerala. Backwaters are formed by the accumulation of sea water at the beach. As the waves moved to and fro, they made their way tearing the ground and forming backwaters. The backwaters are essentially inland lakes connected by a network of canals. The best way to enjoy the Kerala backwaters is to take a cruise on a Kettuvallam or the house boat.

The place where the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race take place on the “Second Saturday Of August every year”. The fete is in the books of records for maximum number of participants in a team event. The history of this unique boat carnival is quite interesting. In early 1952, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the First Prime Minister of India, went through the palm-fringed backwaters of Alleppey, where he was received and escorted by the lovely long Snake-Boats, the traditional warrior boats of the erstwhile Maharajas of Kerala. At his instance a competition of Snake-Boats was held in December 1952. Enthralled by the exciting experience of speed, rhythm, artistry and festivity on the glittering waters, Panditji declared an Ever-Rolling Trophy and suggested that the boat race be conducted every year as an Annual feature of native cultural festivity.