Aluva

Aluva (ആലുവ), formerly Alwaye, is the second largest town in Greater Kochi agglomeration and an important commercial town in Kerala. The town is famous its festivals, large river banks and temples. Many of Kochinites (people of Kochi, as popularly known) do prefer to live in Aluva, while working in Ernakulam, considering quiet cityscape, waterfront facility and presence of large commercial areas.

Understand
Aluva is well known for its large banks of the Periyar River. The town is divided into two halves by the river, making the commercial town towards southern side of river and residential areas towards northern side. The Shiva Temple at the banks is the main attraction of the town due to the traditions and legends associated with it. The temple gets submerged under river during monsoon season (May–September).

Aluva has a major historical significance. The town ceded to Travancore by Cochin as part of Travancore–Cochin Treaty of 1790. Due to which, the town became a first major defence line for Travancore-Kochi Kingdoms from any external aggressions. The Northern side of Aluva (Travancore Aluva), thus became famous for its extensive Nedumkotta lines (Frontlines Fortifications) of Travancore Army, whereas Southern Aluva (Cochin Aluva) turned into commercial port which received boats and ferry from Travancore's High ranges loaded with spices and other commodities of high value.

The formation of Modern Aluva started, when H.H Maharaja Chitra Thirunal, then-the Maharaja of Travancore started his industrialization program in 1930s, making Travancore Aluva, one of the major centers for various industries. More than a dozen heavy industries were opened, creating the largest industrial belt in Kerala. A large bridge across Periyar made easy connectivity between Cochin and Travancore sides of Aluva, which helped the town to grow and diversify its economy into non-agrarian areas.

After independence, both sides of town merged into a single municipality and merged into Ernakulam district. Again, Aluva got a shot in the arm, when Kerala's largest private bank - The Federal Bank made the town as its Headquarters. Several small and medium sector financial institutions soon started its operations from this town, boosting its local economy.

Get in
Aluva is well connected by air, road and rail from all parts of the country

By plane
Cochin International Airport, is just 15 km from the centre. Regular domestic and international connections are available from the airport.

By train
(station code: AWY) is the second largest railway station in Greater Kochi after Ernakulam Junction. All passenger, express trains bound to southern Kerala do have a stop in this station. Some leaflets/websites still refer the town's old name (Alwaye).

By bus
is one of the largest bus terminals in Greater Kochi. Regular private and KSRTC buses connect this town from all parts of Kerala. Apart from this, daily passenger buses of Karnataka RTC and Tamil Nadu's SETC do connect from places like Mysore, Mangalore, Bangalore, Trichy, Coimbatore, Salem, Palani, Kodaikanal etc.

Privately operated Inter-state buses to Bangalore, Chennai, Mysore, Mumbai etc. do have stops in various points of Aluva town.

By metro
is at one of the two ends of the Kochi Metro. Metro is more useful than railways as trains are always subject to delays.

By ferry
Aluva is one major stop for National Waterway 3, scheduled to open by August 2010 which connects to Thiruvananthapuram in south and Kottapuram (Thrissur) in north.

Get around
Autorikshaws charge ₹15 per km. Bus are cheaper at ₹7.00 for three km.

Do

 * Go Karting @ Airport. A short karting circuit is at the city side of Cochin Airport, opposite the airline complex. Regular karting competitions are held on weekends and a few rallies are also organised.

Buy
The Aluva Sivarathri festival is the best time to shop in Aluva. It boasts of the largest cultural fair in the state. There will be One month long sale of various products along with the fair. For Clothing, Aluva has exclusive outlets of Reebok, Raymond, Reid & Taylor. Several other local dress boutiques are located inside the city. Seemas Textiles operate a 7-floor big textile showroom in Aluva.

Drink
softdrinks There are a lot of shops that offer different type of fruit juices and bottled soft drinks. You can find tea shops very easily. They offer snacks like banana fry (pazampori), vada like. Two or three vegetarian restaurants offers offers veg. meals with more than 5 or 6 curries and they serve you good south Indian masala dosa also.

Stay safe
Aluva is a Safe town.There are good enough facilites and it's safe after Kochi Metro has started.

Connect
There are plenty of internet centres available. Wire line and wireless internet connections available. Reliance offers 3.1 Mbit/s Broadband service in city call +91 9349040010

Go next

 * Kochi
 * Kalady
 * Paravur
 * Perumbavoor
 * Muvattupuzha
 * Chalakudy
 * Thrissur
 * Kottayam
 * Idukki