| About: |
| Kumarakom backwaters is the major backwater stretch is in Kottayam district, where a network of rivers and canals empty into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad Lake. Located at Kumarakom 16 km from Kottayam town, the Vembanad Lake, an enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourism destination, provides boating and Fishing.Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad Lake. The Vembanad Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green of the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into wavelets.The village of Kumarakam is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist’s paradiseA Voyage through the lake enjoying the natural beauty of Kerala and observing rare species of organisms in the lake or in the sanctuary will be a mind blowing experience to every tourist.During 1870s this place was a swampy mangrove forest. A missionary worker named George Alfred Baker was the person who cleared the place and started coconut cultivation. The beauty of Kumarakom depends mostly on these mangrove forests and coconut canopies.Lovely white lilies and mangrove vegetation are the typical features of Kumarakom backwaters. You can also find crabs (Karimeen) in the water and other kinds of biodiversity like planktons, colorful insects floating in the water. Fishing, agriculture and tourism are the main economic activities of the people of Kumarakom. Kumarakom’s tropical climate makes it one of the best places for the cultivation of all these agricultural products. With the arrival of the monsoon rains. |
| Location info: |
| Address:Kumarakom, Kottayam district, Kerala, India. |
| District: Kottayam district |
| Nearest City:adackal, Thidanad, Aruvithura, Kidangara, Cheeranchira, Changanacherry Industrialnagar.Thrickodithanam, Kottamuri Veroor, Kurisummoodu. |
| Best time to visit:September to March. |
| Climate/Weather: |
| The local spring season emerges from August and coincides with the harvest festival of Onam. The lowest and highest temperatures recorded are 16.10 C and 37.80 C. |
| History: |
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| Interesting things to do: |
| Boating, water sports, and Fishing. |
| Interesting things to Visit: |
| Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:The Kumarakom Bird sanctuary is a favorite haunt of migratory birds. Spread across fourteen acres of land close to Kumarakom, this bird sanctuary is a paradise for ornithologists. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and several migratory birds like the Siberian stork are regular visitors.Vembanad Lake:Vembanad Lake offers an enchanting experience to the tourists. The lake is the best picnic spot, where you can relax your mind and body. While the water gives the place a cooling effect, trees and shrubs act as a respite to the parched eyes. The lake is an excellent family-picnic destination too. While seniors can laze around the lake reading a book or talking.The Driftwood Museum:This museum is well stored with a huge collection of driftwood sculptures collected from the islands of Andaman and Nicobar. The museum is the only one of its kind in the country. The works displayed here shows the artistic excellence and mere hard work of past generations. One can find here a huge collection of root sculptures of various shapes and designs. The most attractive driftwood sculptures here includes a tribal Jarva women, a handicapped family, Monkey, Lion, and Elephant. There are even sculptures depicting the Kargil War, fought between India and Pakisthan. The museum also showcases an amazing collection of flowers and buds.Pathiramanal:Located near Vembanad Lake, Pathiramanal is also called ‘Sands of Night’. It is a small island that is easily reachable using the water route. The journey to reach the island is an exhilarating one. Both sides of the lake have breath-taking beauty that would remain etched in the mind of the tourists. The island is home to some rare varieties of migratory birds, serving as a bird watcher’s paradise. |
| Mobile range info: |
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| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Cochin International Airport |
| Nearest Airport:Kottayam is the nearest railway station. |
| Road Transport:Kottayam, the main road junction, is just 14 km from Kumarakom. It is well linked with all the key cities in India, through State and National Highways. |
| Nearest Visiting places: |
| Matrumala:Matrumala is located in Kooropada village and is about 8 km from Vennimala. The place can be accessed from Kottayam through Pampadi. Matrumala is a hill top that offers stunning views of the entire surroundings.The place got its name as it has a small temple on its top dedicated to Goddess. The temple is believed to have been built by Parasurama, the legendary creator of Kerala who installed idols of the seven Goddesses (Saptamathas) here.Kallara:This quaint little village is located about 20 km northwest of Kottayam town. The place can be easily accessed from Kottayam by road as well as rail.Kallara and the neighboring villages of Kaduthuruthy and Thalayolaparambu has unending stretches of lush green paddy fields crisscrossed by numerous canals that drain into the backwaters of Ezhumanturuth and fall into the mighty Vembanad lake. In ancient days, large barge like country boats transported goods from Alapuzha to Thalayolaparambu and Kaduthuruthy through these intricate networks of waterways.The unique attraction here is the concentration of screw pine product making in this little village. Locally called ‘tazha’ the screw pine plants grow in abundance on the side of canals and waterways. The shaft of this plant is plucked, cut and seasoned. These are later woven into an array of beautiful and colorful products. Screw pine Products range from table mats, purse, file holders, mirrors, chapels, waste box, cushions, hats, kitchen pouches, decoration items etc. Kallara also produces bamboo products, rubber wood items and wood products.Ithipuzha:As you travel form Vaikom to Ernakulam by road you pass three bridges in succession. As you look out, you are greeted by lush green scenery on either side. It is the river Muvattupuzha and its numerous branches that drain into the Vembanad Lake at this spot creating picture post card scenery all round. And this village is called Ithipuzha.There are few houseboats, no resorts and hence charming and serene waterways all round the village. The various distributaries of the river create numerous beautiful islands in its course. Here there are endless stretches of coconut palms and vast green paddy fields. You can relax yourself on a country canoe ride – floating on the gentle ripples of the rivers and watching the fishermen carrying their catch in small canoes. lthipuzha can easily be accessed from Kochi.Pallam Backwaters:Pallam is located to the south of Kottayam town and is accessible via the Main Central Road. The setting is typical Kerala rural with quiet villages escorted by scenic backwaters and vivid green all along. Migratory birds come seeking this verdant landscape every summer and frolic in the natural splendors till the end of the season. A boat ride in this river Kodoorar to Kumarakom via Pallom backwaters is a great way to relax and enjoy nature’s bounties.Another unique feature hem is the old light house put up at this site in 1813 A.D. by the British resident of Travancore, Col. Munroe. Considered as a wonder of architecture, the light house still stands intact facing the placid backwaters providing an excellent view of the lush green paddy fields and swaying coconut palm.Elaveezhapoonchira – Walk in the rain clouds:Skirting the Kottayam district are beautiful valleys of Elaveezhalpoonchira, spread over thousands of acres in Melukavu village. The pristine beauty of nature is preserved almost intact here in the imposing mountain ranges with rocky cliffs. The verdant landscape is punctuated by five gigantic hills viz. Vindhyan medu, Hidumbanmedu Mankallumudi, Kolanimudi and Mukalanthumudi each rising to around 3200 ft. Elaveezhapoonchira means valley where leaves don’t fall and is named so because the place has no trees. The vast horizon gives a panoramic view of the surrounding five districts. During the monsoons when the valley fills up to form a scenic lake, this place unveils another beautiful slice of nature.Kannadipara:As the name suggests, the valley of this rocky mountain reflects the morning sun with a mirror like perfection. This is also the highest point in Elaveezhapoonchira. Three km from here is the Pazhakakanam Plateau nourished by the Kadapuzha River. Bamboo groves, meadows and wild flowers make this place exotic. An added attraction here is the Kazhukankulimali Waterfalls that playfully cascade down the mountain and greet the river below with a magnificent splash.Mankallu Mudikal:The three hills in this region lie close to each other, their flat hilltops covered with lush grasslands. An aerial view of these resembles a traditional clay oven. With no trees around, the hilltops give you the feeling that you are walking in the clouds.Kootickal:This quaint hamlet situated in the Western Ghats is located 5km north of Mundakkayam in Kottayam District. The majesty of the mountain ranges combined with the beauty of the forest and the artificial lake created by the check-dam of the Manimala River makes the spot linger in your mind. Amruthameda, famous for medicinal plants is nearby. Kootickal is located only 12km from the pilgrim centre of Erumeli.Kurisumala:Three km from Vazhikkadavu is this renowned Christian pilgrim centre where hundreds of devotees from far and near converge during the holy week and after, to climb the hill in faith, carrying small wooden crosses. The peaceful Monastery at the top of the hill, the silence of the hills, the cool mountain air and the lush green landscape are all soothing to the soul. On the eastern side of the hill is Muruganmala housing a rock cut temple dedicated to Murugan (son of Lord Shiva).Bharananganam:Bharananganam is an important pilgrimage center for the Christians. It is located next to the St. Mary’s Church. The church is a thousand years old and has a well-carved cavern of Virgin Mary.VazhikkadavuThis hill station of rocky terrains is on the outskirts of the district. On one side of the main rock are extremely tall and steep rocks and on the other is a valley of fearful depth. Bordering this crude landscape like a silver lace is the Meenachil River. During the months of December/January the landscape comes alive in a riot of colours with orchids and wild flowers. |
| Nearest Petrol Pump: |
Petrol Pump
Puimoodu junction NH 220
kottyam, KeralaParangot Petrol Pump
Kottayam, Kerala.Petrol Pump
Kumarakom, Kerala, IndiaGokulesh Petrol Pump
Address: 42/5
Chennai Road Melakaveri
Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala. |
| Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
Ayurtheeram Ayurvedic Resort
Kumarakom, kerala.Kumarakom Lagoon
Ambika Market P.O, Vechoor
Kottayam, Kerala 686144
Tel: 09811165753.Kumarakom Lake Resort
Kumarakom North, Kottayam
Kerala – 686566
Tel: 0481 2524900Backwater Heritage HomeStay
pulikuttyserry P.O, Aymanam, Kumarakom
Kottayam, Kerala 686015
Tel: 0481 2516375. |
| Things to carry: |
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| Tips & Suggestions: |
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| Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station:Ponkunnam Police Station
NH 220, Ponkunnam,
Kottayam, Kerala |
Nearest Hospital:Bharath Hospital
Azad Lane, Near Thirunakkara Temple, Kottayam
Kerala 68600
Tel: 0481 2582947.Kottayam Medical College
Arpookara, Kottayam,
Kerala.
Tel: 0481 2597284.Government Hospital
Kottayam, Kerala State
Tel: 0481 2462550. |
