There are various temples, churches and mosques in Alappuzha, some of them quite well known. Some of the famous temples in Alappuzha are the temple of Ambalapuzha, the temple of Manansala, Chettikulangara, etc. In Alappuzha there is one of the churches built by the St. Thomas that was an apostle of Jesus Christ. Some of the main pilgrims in Alappuzha are described below:
St. Mary's Forane Church
One of Syria’s best Catholic churches in the Keralan area of Alleppey is the St. Marie Syro Malabar Catholic Church, which offers a little insight into the history of this church with its varied rock inscriptions and old artefacts. The church of St. Mary’s Forane is sometimes called the church of Champakulam. This church is the perfect example of Christian legacy, not just the architectural beauty. The church is supposed to have been established by the Apostle St. Thomas once under the church of Niranam. The church is renowned for its religious faith and blessing, but also for its moral character and its painting on the church’s inner side wall.
St. Andrew's Basilica Arthunkal
The Arthunkal Church of St. Andrew is one of the major Alappuzha pilgrimage resorts in southern India. Although St. Andrew the Apostle was named after the church, it was St. Sebastian’s feast that gave Arthunkal prominence. A glad occasion, held with great pomp and enthusiasm, is the Arthunkal Perunnal or the ten-day annual St. Sebastian’s celebration in Arthunkal. Celebrated every year in January, the church is celebrated with an intense exhibition of its faith and devotion by devotees from the various sections of the State. The St. Sebastian Festival attracts lakhs of people every year from 10 to 27 January.The primary feature of the Festa is the procession with the statue of St. Sebastian on 20 January. The teak wood altar is so grand and wonderful that it is one of the largest altars in the Church of Kerala.
Mannarasala Temple
The Kshetram is an old pilgrimage centre located in south-eastern Kerala, Sree Mannarasala Nagaraja. From all the snake places in the globe adoration. there is none that is more benign, awe-inspiring and legendary than Mannarasala, as blessed and envisaged by Lord Parasurama, the creator of Kerala. The legend is that a five headed snake was born to the first priestess at the grand temple of Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja. The premises should be kept even today as you live in the ancestral house. This shrine is rumoured to heal a number of unusual illnesses including leprosy. It has been used to make use of its particular turmeric powder in large numbers. Women who cannot imagine, are also looking for their own blessings in the temple. The temple is the Snake of God — Nagaraja. Nagaraja, the principal god, is said to be blessed with Hari (Lord Vishnu) form and Shiva’s essence.
Mullakal Bhagvathy Temple
Temple Mullakkal Devi is devoted to the goddess Durga also known as temple Mullakka Radjarajeswari or temple Mullakkal Bhagawathi In the midst of the lively town of Alleppey, known as the Kerala Venice It is a remarkable temple that is rich in traditional Kerala architecture. It is unique. Highlight of this shrine is the main opening roof, which is constructed for Vana Devi in particular. Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna, Nagaraja, Lord Ayyapa, and the Navagraha [the nine planets] also belong to the temple’s further deities. It is estimated that the temple is about 500 years old. The temple is open for visits all days of the week from half to four o’clock, till half to 10 o’clock in the morning. The times are five to eight in the evening.
Chettikulangara Devi Temple
Lord Parashuram built the Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, which is one of Kerala’s most popular tourist sites. The temple was built over 1200 years in Mavelikara in the district of Alleppey. It is one of the most prestigious temples of the Devi in Kerala and the main deity is Sree Bhadrakali. In the shrines close to the temple there are several additional minor goddesses. In this temple you can see the deity Bhagavathy in three ways: in the morning, Saraswathi Devi, in the afternoon and in the evening, Bhadrakali Devi or Maa Durga. During the months of February and March, the Chettikulangara Bharani, devoted to Goddess Bhagavathy, is one of the most important festivals observed here. Another important and unique ritual conducted here to appease the goddess is Kuthiyottam. Young boys do a ritual folk dance to the accompaniment of folk music and other instrumental music.
Ambalapuzha Temple
Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple is devoted to Lord Krishna and is built in the traditional Kerala architectural style. Lord Vishnu, the presiding deity, appears in the form of Parthasarathy, Arjuna’s charioteer from the epic Mahabharata, at this holy site in Alappuzha district. The temple also features a magnificent exhibition of artwork depicting Lord Vishnu’s ten avatars (Dasavatharam). Devotees are also reminded that it was here that the famed Ottanthullal, a powerful satirical folk art that commentates on many socio-political themes, had its debut. Ambalappuzha Palpayasam, a delectable sweet milk porridge, is the major offering at this temple.