Akalapuzha Lake

Akalapuzha
Akalapuzha
	Akalapuzha from Nelliyadi Kadavu Bridge, Keezhariyur
Location	Koyilandy, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Coordinates	11°30′45″N 75°39′23″E / 11.51250°N 75.65639°ECoordinates: 11°30′45″N 75°39′23″E / 11.51250°N 75.65639°E
Primary inflows	Payyoli Canal
Primary outflows	Muthambi River
Basin countries	India
Surface area	5 km2 (1.9 sq mi)
Shore length1	22 km (14 mi)
Islands	3 Nelliyadi Thuruthu Edison Thuruth
	1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Akalapuzha (Malayalam: അകലാപ്പുഴ) is a lake in the Kozhikode district of Kerala, India. It flows through the Arikkulam village as Muthambipuzha to meet the Korapuzha.

Etymology

As per Malabar Manual by William Logan, the name Akalapuzha was derived from 'Akalamulla Puzha' (അകലമുള്ള പുഴ), meaning 'river with distance'. Thurayur near Akalapuzha was a port town during the British reign in India and the water transport was very active in the lake until the end of twentieth century.^{[citation needed]} It is known as the Kuttanad of Kozhikode^[1]

Geography

The Payyoli Canal (200 metres [660 ft]), connects Akalappuzha lake with its tributary Kuttiyadi Puzha. It is situated between the Koyilandy and Payyoli municipalities and Thikkodi and Keezhariyur villages. It flows towards Korapuzha river as Muthambi River.

It is a part of the planned Kovalam-Bekal Waterway.^[2] The Nelliyadi Kadavu Bridge was constructed over Akalapuzha connecting Koyilandy Municipality to Keezhariyur village and was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr. E K Nayanar on 2000 January 30.

SARBTM Govt. College Koyilandy is located on the shore of Akalapuzha.

Tourism

It is a major tourism spot in the Kozhikode district with boat services and leisure activities.

The Pamban thuruth which is a favourite among the film industry location scouts is a beautiful landscape in the Akalapuzha backwaters. Akalapuzha received attention by the release of the Malayalam movie Theevandi.^[3]

This lake is shallow and home to many fish, including shellfish. The Karimeen (Pearl Spot) nurtured in the Akalappuzha Backwaters can be fried on the shore, after having a Shikara Boat trip in the backwaters, making evenings vividly auspicious.

Fishing using fishing rods from the Nelliyadi Kadavu Bridge is a popular activity among the people around this region.

The Akalapuzha boating point is close to NH66 and can be reached by travelling 6 km (3.7 mi) from Payyoli Town, 5 km (3.1 mi) from Thikkodi or 8 km (5.0 mi) from Sree Pisharikavu Temple.

Nearest tourist attractions include:

The Microwave viewpoint is 8 km (5.0 mi) from the boating point and provides a scenic view of the lake from hilltop
The Kadalur Point Lighthouse is just 7 km (4.3 mi) away from Akalappuzha boating point
6 km (3.7 mi) from Thikkodi Drive in Beach
6 km (3.7 mi) from Kollam Chira
6 km (3.7 mi) from Kodikkal Beach Volleyball Court
10 km (6.2 mi) from Parapally beach, Kollam
18 km (11 mi) from Kappad Beach

Connectivity

Nearest railway station: Thikkodi (7.5 km [4.7 mi]), Payyoli (8.5 km [5.3 mi]), Koyilandy Railway Station (11 km [6.8 mi]), Vadakara Railway Station (15 km [9.3 mi]), Kozhikode Railway Station (36 km [22 mi])

Nearest airport: Calicut International Airport (60 km [37 mi]), Kannur International Airport (63 km [39 mi])

Nearby villages and towns

Keezhariyur (east), Thurayur (north), Payyoli (northwest), Thikkodi (west), Viyyur(Koyilandy) (west)

References

^ "ഇത് കോഴിക്കോടിന്‍റെ കുട്ടനാട്; കായല്‍ക്കാഴ്ചകളും ശിക്കാരവള്ളയാത്രയും മീന്‍രുചികളും". ManoramaOnline. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
^ "Will Kovalam-Bekal waterway stay on course?". OnManorama. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
^ Keezhariyur, Ramachandran (13 February 2022). "How a Tovino film put Akalapuzha backwaters on the tourism map of Kerala". Malayala Manorama. p. 1. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.

[1] "ഇത് കോഴിക്കോടിന്‍റെ കുട്ടനാട്; കായല്‍ക്കാഴ്ചകളും ശിക്കാരവള്ളയാത്രയും മീന്‍രുചികളും". ManoramaOnline. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.

[2] "Will Kovalam-Bekal waterway stay on course?". OnManorama. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.

[3] Keezhariyur, Ramachandran (13 February 2022). "How a Tovino film put Akalapuzha backwaters on the tourism map of Kerala". Malayala Manorama. p. 1. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.

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