Alappuzha is also known as Alleppey. The awesome and wonderful destination with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches and lagoons is attracting huge numbers of international and domestic tourists each year. Alappuzha is also known as the "Venice of the East" by Lord Curzon. Hence, it is known as the "Venetian Capital" of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters in Alappuzha District of an Indian state of Kerala. In 2016, Centre for Science and Environment rated Alappuzha as the top cleanest town in India followed by Mysuru & Panaji. The Backwaters of Alappuzha are the most popular tourist attraction in Kerala. Alappuzha is the access point for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held on the Punnamada Lake, near Alappuzha, on the second Saturday of August every year. This is the most competitive and popular boat races in India. The city is situated at a distance 28 km from Changanacherry, 46 km from Kottayam, 53 from Kochi and 155 Kms from Trivandrum.
