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Kerala Tourism Destinations -
Kumarakom |
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About Kumarakom
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When nature is all you need to
recuperate, Kumarakom is undoubtedly the most invigorating,
fascinating paradise in Kerala, God's own country. 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 with renewed
inspiration for your vocation and life. That is the pristine beauty of
Kumarakom.Kumarakom the charming emerald peninsula jutting into the
ever-effervescent Vembanad Lake takes you into the heart of the scenic
lake where you'll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, 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. They are rich with marine life
namely the exclusive 'Kumarakom Karimeen' (pearl spotted fish), Konju
(tiger prawns), Njandu (crabs), Chemeen (prawns) and many more.
As the monsoon winds bring rain to the shores of Vembanad Lake, the
Kumarakom is transformed into a rich fertile land. The streams, lagoons,
brooks break their banks and provide nourishment to springs and shrubs
that sprout from every available space.Water birds, migratory birds,
mangrove shores and the renowned bird sanctuary form their niche. The
resorts nearby 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. You could even take a canoe out into the
quite lakes and armed with a fishing rod, catch your own supper. Make sure
you do not miss out on Karimeen and fresh toddy, the favourite fresh water
food and the local wine.The local spring season emerges from August and
coincides with the harvest festival of Onam, blooms the tourist and the
local people.
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General Information
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State: Kerala
Climate
Maximum Temp. - 16.10 C
Minimum Temp. - 37.80 C
Rainfall: 1100 mm
Best Time to Visit:November to March
Languages Spoken: Malayalam, English
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Climate
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Best Time to Visit:
November to March
Summer Temperature: Minimum - 22.6 0C, Maximum - 38 0C
Winter Temperature: Minimum - 18 0C, Maximum - 35 0C
Average Rainfall: 1100mm
Kumarakom is one of the most popular places in Kerala, where you enjoy the
serenity of backwaters. This village is located on the banks of Vembanad
Lake, which falls in the Kuttanad region of Kerala. The quaint
surroundings of the village give tourists an enthralling experience of the
rich greens and the cool blues of 'Mother Nature'. Its pictorial mangrove
forest and the ecstatic pea green meadows, along with the blissful glory
of the lagoons and the backwaters, present an experience worth remembering
for a lifetime. The tropical climate of Kumarakom adds to the popularity
of the place. In the following lines, we have provided information on the
climate of Kumarakom.
Summer (March to May)-Kumarakom experiences tropical climatic
conditions. The summers are warm, with temperatures soaring up to 38
degrees during the day time. However, the nights are relatively cooler, as
the region experiences a dip in the temperatures that go down up till 22.6
deg C. Kumarakom is in close proximity of Vembanad Lake, which makes even
the warm weather agreeable. There is constant flow of cool, fresh breeze
that makes the place all the more endearing. Backwaters and the meandering
lagoons are the coolest retorts, where you can beat the heat of summers.
Winter (November to February)-During the winter season,
temperatures fall to about 18 deg C. The cool weather and the warmth of
sun serve as just the right ingredients you would wish for, at your
holiday destination. In Kumarakom, winter is the ideal time for people who
love to watch migratory birds, residing at its sanctuary. During the day,
the temperature allows people to laze around with a favorite book or bask
in the glory of the sun, whilst Nature plays as a pretty host. During this
time, Kumarakom offers just the right respite from the hustle and bustle
of city life.
Monsoon (June to August)-Since Kumarakom experiences a tropical
climate, rainfall is relatively average. The place experiences south west
monsoon, which brings along with it moderate rains. The peak monsoon
season starts from the month of June and lasts till August. However,
slight drizzles might persist till early November. During monsoons,
backwater cruising is not allowed. However, the lush greenery of the place
makes sure that it does not remain devoid of tourists during this time
also. Every year, in the month of September, Sree Narayana Jayanthi Boat
race is held at Kumarakom, which serves as a major attraction for
tourists.
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Kumarakom Tourist Attracions
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One of the most popular tourist places
in Kerala, Kumarakom is famous for its lush greenery, relaxing
surroundings and picturesque waterways. Set on the banks of the tranquil
Vembanad Lake, this charming, little town is a cluster of small islands
that are interlinked by the intricate backwater system of Kerala. The
enchanting beauty of nature and tranquilizing atmosphere of Kumarakom are
totally mesmerizing! A fascinating backwater destination, the place is a
favorite spot for the domestic as well as foreign tourists. Read on to
know more about the tourist attractions in Kumarakom.
Places to See in Kumarakom
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary-Kumarakom bird sanctuary is a must-visit
destination. The bird watcher's paradise is located about 16 km from
Kottayam, on the banks of Vembanad Lake. Migratory birds, including
Siberian stork and local birds such as Egret, Teal, Water duck, and
Cuckoo, are the major fascination here. The best time to visit this place
is between June and August.
Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls-A tantalizing waterfall, Aruvikkuzhi is
located 18 km from Kottayam town, falling from a height of 100 ft.
Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls comes across as a beautiful picnic spot. Here,
water streams create a tinkling sound as they make their way through the
landscape that houses beautiful rubber plantations.
Backwater Cruise-The intoxicating backwater cruise in Kumarakom is
a thrilling experience. Along with that snake boat races, houseboat tour,
fishing and canoeing are the 'not to be missed' attractions when you step
into the village. A stay at the thatched houseboat called Kettuvallom is
an experience that is beyond compare!
Vembanad Lake-Kottayam district is a colossal network of rivers and
canals, which flow into the vastness of the Vembanad Lake, one of Asia's
largest freshwater lakes. The fast emerging backwater tourism destination
provides the facilities of boating, sightseeing, and fishing - the perfect
ingredients of a laid-back holiday. You can take a boat ride into the
countryside and have a closer look to the busy rustic life as well.
Pathiramanal-Pathiramanal or 'Sands of Midnight' is a charming
island on Vembanad Lake. The 10-acre island, situated on the backwaters,
serves as home to a wide array of rare migratory birds that come from
different parts of the world. If you are a bird lover, this is definitely
a place that you would not want to miss.
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How To Reach
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Kumarakom in Kerala,
South India is just a few miles (16 km) from the nearest city, Kottayam.
As entry point to India; you can fly to Mumbai (Bombay) or Chennai
(Madras). There are daily flights to Kerala where, as entry points, you
have a choice of three international airports - Kochi (Cochin), Kozhikode
(Calicut) and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum).
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 Bombay, 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.
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People & Life Style
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The people on the banks of Vembanad Lake are
generally peace-loving and follow a neat and healthy lifestyle. Their
dressing is immaculate, usually spotless whites. They keep their dwellings
and surroundings very clean. The food mainly consist of rice and fish. For
breakfast it is usually 'Dosa' or 'Idly', both made from rice paste,
swallowed down with coconut chutney. Fish is a very important item in
their menu for lunch and dinner . 'Karimeen' a spotted fish is a special
gift of the backwaters.
Fishing.Fishing is a livelihood for the backwater people. The menfolk use
small fishing boats and nets. Even the women have developed skills in
fishing. They walk neck-deep in water carrying terracotta pots with them.
The 'Karimeen' on seeing the fisherwomen bury their heads in the mud
underwater. The women feel the fish with their toes and grab them and
deposit in the earthen pots they carry.
Shell Collection -Kuttanad is believed to have
been under the sea . Later when the sea receded the land that was under
the sea became marshes. As a testimony to this fact, one can see large
deposits of shells in the lakes here, that are usually found in the sea.
The people of the backwaters know the spots where large number of fresh
water mussels breed. They anchor their boats over these places, dive down
and bring up basket loads of these shells. The shells are then burnt in
kilns on the banks making an excellent building lime. This is another
alternative source of income for many people in this area.
Farming -Paddy remains the major crop. Bunds are
constructed around the lake and water is pumped out to make it suitable
for farming. The method adopted for farming is in the style adopted in
Holland. Coconut, cocoa and banana are also cultivated. Swaying coconut
palms are a common sight throughout Kerala. They give a distinctively
green touch to Kumarakom. Water of tender coconut is the finest drink in
the world and it is no doubt a valuable gift of nature to mankind. It has
numerous medicinal properties. No other drink leads itself to such
diversity of applications and uses in our traditional system of medicine.
Toddy which is tapped from coconut trees is a favourite drink among the
rural men folk as well as visiting tourists. 'Kappa'(Tapioca) and fish
curry served with toddy make a unique combination.
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