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Kumarakom is a tourist village and in fact a cluster of little beautiful islands on the eastern banks of the Vembanadu Lake. It is 15 kilometers away from Kottyam town. The place Kumarakom is filled with the real beauty of Kerala with mangrove forests, lush green paddy fields, waterways, canals etc. Vembanad Lake is an enchanting picnic spot and a rapidly developing backwater tourism spot in Kerala. The Kerala Backwaters have now become synonym for Kerala worldwide. With calm waters, and lush green paddy fields around Kumarakom is one of the finest tourist spots in Kerala. Kumarakom has listed as one among 25 of the world's remote and exotic hideaways by the 'Cande Nast Travellers' travel magazine in 1998. Thus Kumarakom became an integral part in the world tourism map.
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The village Kumarakom actually a cluster of islands on the eastern banks of the Vembanad Lake. The unique position of the land is a delight for tourists. The place is located in between the sea like huge Vembanad Lake and the parallel network of calm backwaters. The biggest advantage of this place is that although it is situated on the waterways it can be easily accessed through road. The name Kumarakom is derived from the Malayalam words 'Kumara'(Lord Subhramanya) and 'aham' (home) makes it the 'home of Lord Subhramanya. Giving support to this statement there is a Murugan Temple is located 6 kilometers away at Kumaramangalam. Murugan is another name for Subhramanya. People usually ask, 'what to do at Kumarakom?’ The answer is "just relax and enjoys floating in the tranquil water". That’s it. Kumarakom is a perfect place for recreation and relief after a hectic tour in rich cultured Kerala. Enjoy the calmness of water and take stunning views of the unparallel nature. If you have a camera, it is sure that you will open the shutter at least once. The fresh water of the lake runs into the mainland making a maze of lagoons, brooks, canals, waterways etc. The only places around Kumarakom, which is worth visiting, are the Driftwood Museum, The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and the beautiful Pathiramanal Island.
Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The largest lake in Kerala, Vembanad Lake is a habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species like Karimeen (Pearl spot), shrimp (chemmeen in the local language) and prawns. The village economy is largely dependent on fisheries. The other revenue winners here are tourism and agriculture. The lands climate conditions are perfect for agriculture. The rise bowl of Kerala, Kuttanad is located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake and in this backwater circuit. One can see huge area of paddy cultivation on his travel through backwaters. Clusters of Houseboats are awaiting here visitors. Houseboat tourism plays an important part in this district economy. There are houseboats in plenty for rent suits everyone’s pocket. The 4-hour backwater cruise from Kumarakom to Alappuzha is a lifetime pleasure. The houseboats here offer not only accommodation but also tasty and spicy Keralite food. Wide ranges of marine fish dishes are served inside the houseboats. The houseboats or kettuvallams are the modern version of traditional rise boats seen in this area. The modern houseboats offer facilities just as a mini resort including Air Conditioning, Hot and Cold water running Bathrooms, Sun deck etc. The place Kumarakom is also occupied with a considerable amount of resorts and that too offer good staying and tasty food. It is one of the must visit places in India. The nearby resorts also offer exclusive leisure options like an Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing and swimming. If you are a fun loving adventurous person you can also participate in water-skiing or wind sailing here. Imagine the beautiful experience of taking a canoe and wandering through the waters alone. Make sure you dont miss out 'Kallu' (fresh toddy) with 'Karimeen' (pearl spot). If you dont know the name 'Kallu', it is sure that you were not in Kerala. The lake and the village Kumarakom comes alive during Onam because of an enchanting snake boat race happens here.
The occurrences in Arundhathi Roy's Booker Prize winning Book 'The God of Small Things' is set in the Ayamanam Village near to Kumarakom on the banks of the Meenchil River. Meenachil River is the leading water provider for Vembanad Lake. In this novel the author describes elegantly the unequaled beauty of the backwaters. The massive admiration the book received, has given some added tourism impetus to this area. She depicts a building namely "History House" in the novel. In fact the building was the residence of Alfred George Baker, one of the first English settler here. The Bakers lived here for four generations and in 1962 the family returned to Essex, England, their native place. Their old residence is then come under the Taj Group and they converted it in to a fine resort, which attracts a lot of people. The Aymanam House in the novel, where Arundhathi Roy spend her childhood, is also a nearby attraction. The Baker Family is known as the pioneers of this region. Henry Baker is the one who introduced Rubber Cultivation in this area. The Baker Memorial School, Kottayam is established by one of the inhabitants of this family in 1925. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located in an old estate of the Bakers. They give enough contributions to make the land Kumarakom in to a fantastic tourist spot.
Kumarakom is also a leading religious center in this region. The old Janardhana Temple here, believed to be built in the 12th century, is one of the leading Hindu pilgrimage centers in this region.
September to March is the best time to visit Kumarakom. If you are thinking about a Mansoon break then come here in between June and July. The second option is a little cheaper than the first one.
The place Kumarakom is well connected with all possible means of transport. The nearest KSRTC stand is Kottayam and one can get frequent buses to Kumarakom and also to all major town and places in Kerala. There are also interstate buses connects Kottayam to other metro cities in South India. The nearest railway station is Kottaym Junction, which is 15 kilometers away and through the rail line Kumarakom is connected to major cities in rest of the nation. The Kumarakom Boat Jetty offers water transport to adjacent Jettys like Muhamma, Alappuzha etc. The Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport here, which is 72 kilometers away while the Trivandrum Airport is 170 kilometers away.
Kumarakom has been declared as a Special Tourism Zone by the Kerala state Government, as legislated for by Kerala Tourism Act, 2005. Development in the area is therefore now controlled by the guidelines written by the STZ committee.
Must watch places in and around Kumarakom
1. The Driftwood Museum
This unique 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 Islands Andaman and Nicobar is also known as Bay islands and thats why the museum got its name the Bay Island Driftwood Museum. 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.
The museum is located at Chakranpadi, Near Lakshmi Hotel & Resort and a few kilometers from Kumarakom. The museum opens from 10 to 5 everyday except Mondays and on Sunday the visiting time reduced from 12.30 to 5. The entry here is by pass.
2. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
The Sanctuary spread over 14 acres in a former Rubber plantation, which was previously known as Baker's Estate on the southern bank of the Kavanar River. It was Henry Baker, one from the Baker family, developed this plantation to a attractive bird sanctuary. This protected area is a home for several rare birds including local and migratory. The sanctuary is a paradise for Ornithologists. The sanctuary includes local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron, cormorant, moorhen, darter, Brahminy kite and the duck, as well as the migratory Siberian crane. Parrot, teal, lark, flycatcher, and other birds here during their migratory seasons. Migratory birds from Himalaya's and even from Siberia are observed here. The area where Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located is beautifully surrounded by mangrove forests, green paddy fields and coconut groves. A considerable amount of Butterflies are also observed here.
The leading attraction in the sanctuary not ends with bird watching. If you are interested then you can take a small walk through the woods by listening the heartening sounds of nature. Boating is also possible through the Kavanar River.
The sanctuary is open to all from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm everyday. The entrance fee for Indians is 5 and for foreigners it is 1 $.
3. Pathiramanal
This tiny beautiful island is located at the Vembanad Lake. The island is home for hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. The name Pathiramanal has the meaning 'The Sand of Midnight' and it lies in between Kumarakom and Thannermukkom. The place is accessible only by boat. The island Pathiramanal is an ideal location for poets, means tranquil lovers. Imagine the poetic conversation between you and the waterways that surrounds you. Pathiramanal is developing as one of the most romantic outing spots here in Kerala.
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