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.
Around
Kumarakom
Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls
Pay a visit to the picturesque
Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls Located
18km 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. Pathiramanal
(sands of midnight), an enchanting
island on the lake, can be
accessed by boat from here.
This 10 acre island on the
backwaters is home to many
rare varieties of migratory
birds from different parts
of the world. According to
mythology a young Brahmin
dived into the Vembanad Lake
to perform his evening ablutions
and the water madeway for
the land to rise from below.
The island can be accessed
only by boat. A cruise along
the Vembanad Lake is the best
way to experience the sanctuary.
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.
Aranmula is also the centre
of bell metal mirror crafts.
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.
