View source for Andhakaranazhy

{{One source|date=January 2009}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2018}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Andhakaranazhy
| other_name              = 
| nickname                = 
| settlement_type         = Village
| image_skyline           = Azheekkal Beach.JPG
| image_alt               = 
| image_caption           = 
| pushpin_map             = 
| pushpin_label_position  = 
| pushpin_map_alt         = 
| pushpin_map_caption     = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates             = {{coord|9.7|N|76.41|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1       = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]]
| established_title       = <!-- Established -->
| established_date        = 
| founder                 = 
| named_for               = 
| government_type         = 
| governing_body          = 
| unit_pref               = Metric
| area_footnotes          = 
| area_rank               = 
| area_total_km2          = 
| elevation_footnotes     = 
| elevation_m             = 
| population_total        = 
| population_as_of        = 
| population_rank         = 
| population_density_km2  = auto
| population_demonym      = 
| population_footnotes    = 
| demographics_type1      = Languages
| demographics1_title1    = Official
| demographics1_info1     = [[Malayalam]]
| timezone1               = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1             = +5:30
| postal_code_type        = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code             = 688531
| area_code_type          = Telephone code
| area_code               = 0478
| registration_plate      = KL-32 or KL-04
| footnotes               = 
}}

[[File:Andhakaranazhy (0).jpg|thumb|Andhakaranazhy]]
'''Andhakaranazhy''' ('''Andhakaranazhi''') is a coastal village located 4&nbsp;km west of [[Pattanakkad]] under [[Pattanakkad]] Panchayath under [[Cherthala]] Taluk. It is famous for its beach which draws a number of domestic and international tourists.

== Geography ==
An [[sand bar|azhy]] similar to an [[isthmus]], is a sand sedimentation formed by the constant action of seawater where the [[Kerala Backwaters|backwaters]] merge into the sea. Two barges having large mechanized shutters are erected near the north and south end of the azhy. These shutters, operated by [[traction motor]]s, help to regulate the flow of saline water entering into the neighboring paddy fields of [[Thuravoor, Cherthala|Thuravoor]], [[Pattanakkad]], [[Ezhupunna]], and [[Kuthiathode]] panchayats connected to thbackwaters. Water is released into the sea by lifting these shutters to prevent flooding in these paddy fields during excessive rains. A tall and majestic [[lighthouse]] near the azhy stands like a signal tower guiding the seamen during night. This lighthouse was open to the public during [[Onam]], but is restricted now. This place is also one of the popular locations for [[Malayalam film]] shoots.

==Transportation==
One can reach Andhakaranazhy via the [[Thanky]] – Andhakaranazhy – [[Pallithode]] beach road or divert towards west at Padmakshi Kavala - Kavilpalli junction on [[NH 66]] between Pattanakkad and Thuravoor. Another easy road to reach the beach from highway is just take left side road from Padmakshikavala junction which is just 200 meters north of Ponnamveli bus stop when coming from Cherthala or Alappuzha side.

The nearest railway station is Vayalar. This place was one of the seriously affected areas in the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|tsunami]] which hit the [[Kerala]] coast on 26 December 2004.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121103190004/http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/28/stories/2005122800640500.htm ]</ref>

A new bridge is constructed near the southern barge across the [[isthmus]] lake. An aerial walkway is also constructed, extending up to the sea wall. Standing on the walkway a splendid panoramic view of sun set can be enjoyed. The walkway ends up to the new tourist complex. A large number of localities and passing tourists visit the beach during the weekends.

==Celebrities==
Smt.[[K. R. Gowri Amma]], one of the cabinet ministers in the Kerala State's first elected government, is from this village. She was the sitting MLA from [[Aroor]] constituency for many years.

==Distance==
''' Distance to Andhakaranazhy '''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! From !! Distance (km) !! Time
|-
| New Delhi || 2569 || 40 hours
|-
| Thiruvananthapuram || 187 || 3 hours 45 minutes
|-
| Cochin || 32 || 40 minutes
|-
| Kottayam || 43 || 1 hour
|-
| Alappuzha || 31 || 40 minutes
|}

==Places of worship==
* St. Xavier's Church, Azheeckal
* Manakkodam Sree Mahadevi Khandakarna Temple
* Chellappuram Sri Khandakarna temple
* Al Furqan Salafi Juma Masjid
* St. Francis Church is the major [[Christianity|Christian]] church in this area, and one of the oldest church in [[Alappuzha]] diocese. The parish conducted the famous "Abhishekagni" convention by Fr. Xavier Khan Vattayil in its centenary year of 2013 and again in 2014. 
* The Viyathara Trimurthi temple, a very rare and old temple in Kerala, dedicated to tri-gods [[trimurthi]] Lord [[Shiva]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Brahma]] [[consecrated]] in a single [[sreekovil]] is located in Andhakaranazhy. The mulla sowrupam was firstly situated in goa ;secondly in Kodugallor desham and thirdly in viyathara desham. The most important function in the temple, "Thripurasuradhahanum", will be conducted for Dhanu 15 in Malayalam month. The famous song, 'Unnyi nambinayee'(Tamil), actually is dedicated to [[Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple]].In deeply relation about the kodugaloor kurubhabhagavathi temble. The Kandakarana temple is also located near the Trimurthi temple. The Subramanya temple dedicated to Lord [[Murugan]] is located near the lighthouse.

== Schools ==
* B.B.M L.P School
* L.F.M.L.P School pattom

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Andhakaranazhi Beach}}
* [http://www.andhakaranazhy.net// Andhakaranazhy] at [[Website]]
* {{Facebook|Andhakaranazhy.In}}
* {{Twitter|andhakaranazhy}}

{{Alappuzha district}}
[[Category:Villages in Alappuzha district]]
[[Category:Beaches of Kerala]]
[[Category:Geography of Alappuzha district]]