It is a municipal town with a population of more than 25000 on the M.C. Road and the River Pamba passes by it.  The Indo-American Club is situated right in the heart of the town and the Railway Station is only a walking distance away and connects all the major cities in India.  The town is dotted with many churches, temples, educational institutions, banks, internet cafes, post office, ayurvedic centres, restaurants serving both Vegetarian and Non-veg. food and picnic spots.  The local market is a vibrant place not to be missed.  Onam is the main festivel of the people celebrated in the month of August/September and it is also then that the Aranmula Snake Boat Race takes place which is also a heritage Village.  One can hire bicycles and pedal slowly around the back lanes, look at the Hindu temples, the elephants and the river and by-pass the green paddy fields and jaggery making units.  The John family lives in their 70 year old ancestoral property which is typical of Kerala Arcitecture and they also have a rare collection of antiques. 

At Konni, a village about 40 KMs from here, you can hitch a ride on the elephant and visit the elephant rehabilitation centre.  Aleppey, better known as the Venice of the East, is about 45 KMs from here and is popular for its canals and sandy beaches and the famous Nehru Snake Boat Race is held here on the second Saturday of August every year.  Kumarakom is about 55 KMs away and is well known for its backwaters and houseboats.  The sun bathed beaches of Varkala and Kovalam are little more than 100 kMs from here.