Kumarakom
Backwaters | Kerala | India
Kumarakom is an enchanting picnic spot and provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are...
Updated On: 10/24/2009
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Kumarakom, the famous backwater tourist destination in Kerala is located about 12 kms from Kottayam. This place can be reached through a voyage from Alappuzha. Kumarakom is undoubtedly the most invigorating, fascinating paradise in Kerala, God's own country. This rich green, sleepy little village of Kumarkom is located on the Vembanad lake amidst mangrove forests and coconut groves. Kumarakom is an enchanting picnic spot and provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind. On the scenic Vembanad lake you will come across plenty of traditional country crafts or houseboats, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake runs into the mainland making a labyrinth of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways. The backwater houses a variety of species of both fauna and flora and marine life.

Kumarakom is also considered to be the gateway to the famous backwaters of Kuttanad. Kumarakom is also the home of various sprawling ethnic waterfront resorts. These resorts offer comfortable accommodation and exclusive leisure options like an Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing and swimming. The adventurous could indulge in water sports such as windsailing and waterskiing. Kumarakom is also a center for houseboat cruises.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kettuvallams, Sunset and Sunrise Cruise on a Kettuvallam, Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls, Kottayam, Bay Island Museum, Erumely, Aranmula, Vagamon, Elaveezha Poonchira, Vaikom Temple

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: A trip to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary what you shouldn't miss. The best time for this is between November to March, when a range of migratory birds from Siberia make it their winter home. Some of the species include the Snake bird, Little Cormorant, Crow Pheasant, White-branded water Hen and Tree pie. Occasionally you can catch the native kingfishers setting the waters ablaze in a psychedelic flash of colours. The night herons, the Golden-backed woodpeckers are added delights. At the fourteen-acre bird sanctuary one can glimpse many a rare bird – some of which, sadly, may not be around forever.

Kettuvallams: Kettuvallams are huge, tapering barges which were traditionally used to cargo rice and other goods across Kerala. It has a portion covered with bamboo and coir serving as kitchen and rest rooms for the crew. These boats are entirely built without the use of nails. Planks of jack wood are woven together with coir ropes and coated with a black resin made from boiled cashew kernels.

Sunset and Sunrise Cruise on a Kettuvallam: No trip to Kumarakom is complete without a Kettuvallam sunset or sunrise cruise. The ride offers a close look into a delightful rustic life. Skiff-fishermen launching their tiny boats. Large flotillas of ducks waddling down to the water from coconut leaf thatched houses on the banks of canals. Palm-filled lagoons, an enchanting view of wooded islands and the main lands are poetically beautiful scenes.

Kottayam: Kottayam is an ancient town famous for its churches, especially the 700 years-old churches, the Cheria palli ('small church') with exceptionally lovely paintings over the altar and the Valia palli('Big Church') perched on a picturesque hillock over a small cluster of houses. In the St.Mary's Church Kuravilangad built in 355 AD there is an old bell which bears a hitherto undeciphered inscription.

Bay Island Museum: A unique museum to display a miraculous collection of nature's art, initially shaped by seawaves and then by the imagination of an artist through a rare and innovative art form, is functioning at the scenic village of Kumarakom, Kottayam. A visitor would find in the bay island driftwood museum a huge collection of elegant wooden/root sculptures of marvellous shapes compatible with nature. This amazing collection represents a work of art pioneered by a lady post graduate teacher retired from service in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Erumely: This is an important pilgrim centre for the hindus and muslims. Sree Dharmasastha Temple here is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Pilgrims going to Sabarimala alight here.

Aranmula: 50km from Kottayam, Aranmula is the site of the splendid Onam festival boat races, usually in early September. These races unlike the more sporting Nehru Trophy race at Alappuzha in August are essentially religious, based on a temple festival. Caparisoned elephants with beaded umbrellas, processions of decorated floats, and highly ornate boats make this a lovely event to witness.

Vagamon: Vagamon, 64 km from Kottayam and 34 km from Pala, situated at an elevation of 1100 meters above sea level is a trekker's paradise. It is an ideal tourist spot surrounded by the greenery of tea gardens, beautiful meadows and valleys. Other attractions: Thangal Para, Indo-Swiss project, Kurisumala Ashram.

Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls: Pay a visit to the picturesque Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls Located 18 km from Kottayam town, 2 km down a mud lane from Kumarakom is this beautiful picnic spot where streams tinkle as they make their way through the landscape and waters roar as they cascade down the mountains from a height of 100 ft.

Elaveezha Poonchira: The breathtaking scenery of the hill station at Elaveezha Poonchira near Melakavu Mattom is luring more and more tourists to spend a few days away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Elaveezha Poonchira is yet another picnic spot accessible from Pala and located in the midst of beautiful hills.

Vaikom Temple: A temple with a thousand legends, the Vaikom Temple, Kottayam is a must-visit while on a tour to Kerala. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is one of the most famous pilgrimage centers in Kerala, thronged by the faithful all through the year. Arguably the oldest Shiva Temple in the world, the Vaikom Temple in Kottayam also has a number of stories of India’s struggle for freedom attached to it, which has further helped the temple to become one of the major tourist attractions of Kottayam.

November to March

By Road
From the Cochin International Airport it is an 85 Km delightful ride by road to the Muhamma boat Jetty. From the Trivandrum International Airport it is a 175 Km (approximately 3.30 hours ride by road) to the Muhamma boat jetty. From the Calicut International Airport it is 180 Km ride to Muhamma.

By Rail
From Mumbai, Madras or Bangalore, you can take a train to Kerala. The best place to alight is either Cochin or Kottayam (the nearest railhead, just 16 Km away by road). Kottayam links you to all major cities in Kerala and India with numerous trains plying this route daily. From Cochin, you could also take a south bound train via the Alleppey route (enjoy picturesque scenery as the route flanks the backwaters and the sea on its way). Alight at Chertala for a short 14 Km ride to Kumarakom.

By Water
If you have arrived at Trivandrum International Airport, come to Quilon by road or rail (takes just about one hour). From there, you can take the regular ferry service to Alleppey - a long and delightful ride on Kerala's backwaters. From Alleppey, it's just a short ride to Kumarakom.If you have arrived at Cochin International Airport, perhaps you might prefer a ride through the backwaters to Alleppey. There are many boat services offered at Kochi.

Kumarakom Lake Resort, Paddy Field, Coconut Lagoon, Lakshmi Hotel, Taj Garden Retreat, Backwater Ripples, Houseboat Cruises, Water Scapes

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