Kumarakom is a good choice for tourists, the reasons are the following
1)Maximum length and the breadth of Lake Vembanad is visible from Kumarakom.
2)There is always comfortable breeze and the waves in the lakeside of Kumarakom, as the Arabian Sea is on the west of Kumarakom.
3)Sun Set is enjoyable from the bank of Lake Vembanad in Kumarakom.
4)The morning on the Lakeside of Kumarakom, is very pleasant, as the trees on the lakeside provide very good shade and also the breeze from the west, southeast and the northeast, gives comfort and relaxation over here.
5)Experience the live beauty of waves, flow of water in the lake, drifting of Houseboats, Shikara, Fishermen’s Boat, thrilling sceneries of Speedboats & Water Scooters cruising through Kumarakom Backwaters, and the unique experience of the Vellavali (Catching of Pearl Spot fish)
6)Evening is also enjoyable because of the breeze from the west and the fascinating waves on the bank of Lake Vembanad at Kumarakom.
7)Always the temperature on the lakeside will be 2 to 5 degrees lesser than many other Tourist destinations.
8)Lakeside of Kumarakom is having pollution-free fresh air and there is more oxygen in the air, therefore Kumarakom is much more attractive, enjoyable and better place to live than many other tourist destinations.
9)Kumarakom is a famous tourism destination located just10 kilometers from Kottayam and 35 km away from Alappuzha. Three sides of Kumarakom are surrounded with Meenachil River and Lake Vembanad.
Best season to stay in Kumarakom
Kumarakom have reasonably good climate throughout the year. Rain comes basically from west, south west, north west and south east. There is severe, moderate or intermittent rain for all most 3 to 8 months in Kerala and also there is rain during the summer months, that is February, March & April. Better season to stay in Kumarakom is from May to January. Best season to stay in Kumarakom is from August to January. February, March & April are little more warm in Kumarakom. But during this period also Lakeside Accommodations are more comfortable and relaxing than many other places.
Kumarakom is an excellent natural tourist destination for relaxation.
Bank of Lake Vembanad in Kumarakom Is A Better Place To Visit and To Live. Kumarakom Village is a world-famous Tourist Destination, well known for its backwaters, three sides of Kumarakom is surrounded by Lake Vembanad, and also the Meenachil river is flowing through Kumarakom. Kumarakom is very famous for very tasty Pearl Spot Fish (Karimeen) from Lake Vembanad.
Lake Vembanad
This is the largest Backwater of Kerala, major part of Kumarakom is facing Vembanad Lake, which extends from Alappuzha in the south and Thrissur in the north and its length is around100 Km. The lake has a maximum width of about 8 km. and is about 4 to 26 feet deep. Four Rivers mainly Meenachil, Manimala, Pampa and Achankovil directly joins to this lake. Vembanad Lake is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala and the longest in India. Vembanad lake gets fresh water from four main rivers in Kerala originating from Western Ghats, flows through the Vembanad Lake and joins Arabian Sea.
Marvelous sight seeing from the bank of Lake Vembanad
Beautiful Sunset can be experienced from the lakeside of Kumarakom, Watch the houseboats, motorboats, speed boats, country boats and fishermen’s boats sail past. Unique scenery, throughout the day, and also the breeze and the waves of the beautiful lake. Joyous sights of the sunset, stars, moonset. Watch the beautiful sight of the lights and fireworks on the western side of the lake and the stars in the sky during the night. Enjoy the rainy season by experiencing the rain coming from far away and also the breeze and the waves of the lake, nature’s live sound, and light show of thunder and lightning at night. Vellavaley–fishermen catching the pearl spot fish by the bare hand.
Backwater cruising in Kumarakom & Alappuzha
Kumarakom backwaters are one of the best backwaters for backwater cruising in a Houseboat, motor Boat, and Speed Boat or in a Country boat. It is around 20 Km long and around 8 Km breadth. You can see the beautiful Resorts on the lake Side of Kumarakom, such as from north Coconut lagoon, Bird sanctuary, Fish sanctuary, Waterscapes, Taj Garden Retreat, Coco Bay, Kumarakom Lake resort, MRF Guest House, St. Peters church, Beautiful Cross constructed in the Lake, by Illikkalam Family Members and donated to St. Johns Attamangalam Church in 1965. Rama Varma Union Club, Lake Song Resort. Radisson Plaza Resort, Sailing Club, Backwater Ripples, Paradise Resort, ILLIKKALAM Lake Resort, Backwater Resort, Kottayam Club, Abad whispering Palms Etc., Cruising through Kumarakom Backwaters are very good, as you can enjoy the Breeze and waves of the lake Vembanad, you can view the fishing by the fishermen and also the Vellavaley. You can see the Pathiramanal island, R Block, C Block and also Alleppey Backwaters.
Best season to visit Kumarakom
Kumarakom is one of the the most beautiful and enjoyable destinations among the Backwater Destinations in India. You can go out, even for a boat cruise and even if the lake is rough, it is not dangerous like the sea during Monsoon Season. The accommodation at a Lake facing cottage or room at the edge of Lake Vembanad in Kumarakom is definitely a great experience. You can try your backwater experience in a country boat, motorboat, shikara, houseboat or in a speed boat. All the types of boat have different experiences to share with you. May to January is the best time to Visit, the monsoon season usually starts by the middle of May and it will continue until almost November.
Accommodation in a lakeside and lake facing cottage will provide unique experience of the natural beauty of backwaters of Kerala and the beauty of Sky during the monsoon. Shikara boat, a smaller version of Houseboats, which may be available for cruising, if the lake is calm and quiet. This is also the great time to go bird watching, as many migratory birds visit Kumarakom during the monsoon.
Kumarakom is soothing and enjoyable
Experience, Beautiful Vembanad Lake, Houseboats, Shikara Boats, Sunset, Unique fishing method namely Vellavali, Village life and Responsible Tourism Activities in Kumarakom. Kumarakom is well known for its backwaters, three sides of Kumarakom are surrounded by Lake Vembanad, and also Meenachil river is flowing through Kumarakom to Vembanad Lake. Lobsters and Pearl Spot Fish (Karimeen) from Vembanad Lake are very tasty.
Backwater cruising in House Boats, Motor Boats, Speed Boats and Country Boats are unique experiences in Kumarakom. Ferry Service to Muhamma, visit to Birds Sanctuary, sightseeing in Kumarakom, boat trip to Pathiramanal are different experiences. Kumarakom is Well connected by Roads, from Kottayam, Alappuzha, Vaikom, Ernakulum/Kochi and also by water transportation. There is direct access to Alappuzha by water and road. Agricultural Research Centre, three very famous Boat Clubs, three famous Boat Races in and around Kumarakom are other attractions.
Kumarakom is a Special Tourism Zone
Kumarakom has been declared a Special Tourism Zone by the Kerala state Government, as legislated by Kerala Tourism Act, 2005.
Responsible Tourism (RT) Activities in Kumarakom
It was in March, 2008, that the Responsible Tourism project was officially inaugurated in Kumarakom. The project had assured the villagers that tourism can give them a livelihood. Responsible Tourism (RT) Activities, focus mainly on three areas – the Economic, Social and Environmental aspects of the destination.
The RT authorities of Kumarakom have planned and implemented various projects with these focus areas. The projects were to promote the natives reap the benefits of the tourism industry by offering their products and services to visitors. It also provides opportunities for interaction with tourists giving the natives exposure to new ideas and cultures, and also gives them a platform for showcasing their talents. Kumarakom Village won the National Tourism Award for Best Responsible Tourism Project for the year 2008-2009.
Awards & Recognitions To Kumarakom
1) National Tourism Award-2008/09
Best Responsible Tourism Project Kumarakom
Responsible Tourism Initiative
2) PATA Grand Award 2011
Environment
Destination Kumarakom
3) National Tourism Award 2011/12
Best Rural Tourism Project
Rural Tourism Project at Kumarakom
4) National Tourism Award 2012/13
Best Civic Management of a Tourist Destination
Kumarakom Grama Panchayat
5) UNWTO Ulysses Award 2013
Innovation in Public Policy and Governance
Responsible Tourism Project at Kumarakom, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.
6) PATA Gold Award 2014
Corporate Social Responsibility
Kumarakom Responsible Tourism, Kerala Tourism
7) National Tourism Award 2015/16
Best Responsible Tourism initiative in ‘niche’ category
Kumarakom Responsible Tourism, Kerala Tourism
8) World Travel Mart Responsible Tourism Award 2017
WTM Highly Commended Award
Kumarakom Responsible Tourism Project, RT Mission
9) World Travel Mart Gold Award 2018
Best for Managing Success Category Gold Award
Responsible Tourism Kumarakom
Abraham John
Some people, though never in the limelight, contribute greatly to society by putting their genius to hard work. Abraham John of the Kumarakom Manayathra Bunglow (ILLIKKALAM) was one such person. In a life spanning six decades (1878 to 1939), John carved a niche for himself in the history of Kumarakom with his many and varied creations and experiments.
Huge Clock Tower at Kumarakom
A creation of Abraham John’s, that still attracts a lot of visitors, is the huge clock tower in front of his house, facing the lake. He completed designing the clock tower in the early 20th century and built it with the help of a blacksmith in 1930. The clock, once a great boon to the fishermen and boatmen, is not in working condition now, though still visible to those who pass by on the lake. .
About 20 palchakrams (gear-wheels) are used for the time keeping. Two metallic weights of 90 kilos each are connected to the clock with two long metal rods. A bell is also connected to the clock. The hammer placed near it used to strike on the bell every half hour. Two cranks were used to winding the clock; the winding had to be done once every 24 hours.
The clock tower resembles the one in Thiruvananthapuram, near the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is said that John received acclamations and a gold medal from the King of Travancore for creating the clock. Mahatma Gandhi also wrote him a congratulatory letter.
Other Contributions
Abraham John is also credited with playing a crucial role in the popularization of the Pettiyum Parayum, the traditional dewatering mechanism made of wooden planks, in Kuttanad. A Mr. Brunton is said to be the one who brought the device to Kumarakom but he was unwilling to share the technical details of the machine with anyone. Abraham John, apparently, spent an entire night in water in order to understand the design of the new device. Later, he sketched it in a paper and designed the device himself.
Pathiramanal Island ( Midnight Land )
Pathiramanal is a beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake it lies on the border of Kumarakom.There is only 30 minutes journey in a Motor Boat and only 10 minutes journey by a Speed boat from Kumarakom to Pathiremanal, and from Alappuzha it will take more than 2 hours to reach Pathiramanal by motor boat and 45 minutes in a speed boat .The Island originally was having 68 Hectares (168 Acres), There is a legendary story regarding the creation of this island, One famous Brahmin who possessed supernatural powers was travelling through Vembanad lake in a country Boat. During the trip the Brahmin wanted to pass urine,but passing urine in the lake water was considered a sin .So with his supernatural power he created an island called pathiramanal ( Mid- night- sand) in the lake.The undisturbed atmosphere of the island provides favoured breeding ground for various Birds.This island has its own unique flora with rare plants like crocodile apple, various climbers,mangrove,medicinal plants etc.
Kumarakom Birds Sanctuary
There are 180 species of birds are found in the Kumarakom bird sanctuary, the story of the bird sanctuary begins in the year 1847,when Mr Alfred George Baker started developing a vast area of Vembanad Lake shore at Kumarakom.he planted Mangrove bushes and created a green belt on the lake shore to protect his land and crops..He also kept an area of about ten acres of land with mangroves to accommodate local as well as migratory birds coming from far off regions. No one was allowed to enter the area to disturb the birds. A permanent Bird sanctuary was thus formed which may be the first of its kind in the country. Later construction works of Resorts and Hotels over these areas disturbed the birds.Now the trees in front of the Taj hotel,KTDC entrance and the forest Office are the breeding area of Darters,Little Cormorants,Indian shags and Pond Herons.
Thanneermukkham Salt Water Barrage
This is only 12 Kms. away from Kumarakom by road, and it is on the north west of Kumarakom, only 15 minutes in a Speed Boat, one and half hour in a House boat or in a Motor Boat. Its length is 1400 meters and have 93 shutters.These shutters were fitted to control the entry of saline water from Arabian Sea to the southern part of the barrage to facilitate two crops of paddy in a year.The original decision was to keep the shutters of the barrier open for the period from 31st March to 15th December (9 months) every year after the harvest of punja crop.The major objective of this project was to prevent the intrusion of salinity to the lake vembanad during summer to enable a second paddy crop in every year.Mr John Abraham Illikkakam wrote in Malayalam Manorama daily articles, vehemently criticising the project .He said that the project would upset the balance of nature and prevent tidal flow causing water pollution and health problems.
Fish Sanctuary
North eastern side of the lake Vembanad near to the bird sanctuary, in Kumarakom, a protected fish sanctuary for pearl spot fish ( Karimeen),(Etroplus suratensis)the first of its kind in India, was established in Open vembanad Lake,on an experimental basis.A variety of nest and reef substrates were deposited on the floor of the lake to provide artificial nesting surfaces for karimeen.Half split coconut shells,large boulders of laterite blocks ,specially designed cement concrete tetrapods and piles of coconut trees were used as paaru and reefs simulating breeding habitats for fish in this open lake sanctuary.But now it is not maintained.
Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kumarakom
The Coconut Research Station, Kumarakom was established in the year 1947 to cater the research needs of coconut in the reclaimed alluvial soils of Kuttanad. 24 hectares of land required for establishing the station was obtained from the R.B.A. Baker. This was upgraded to the status of a Regional Agricultural Research Station in 1982.The total geographical area of the farm attached to the RARS is 45 hectares’.
Objectives of the Station
The main objective of the station was originally to conduct research on coconut and coconut based cropping systems with special reference to coconut diseases. Now the Station is conducting problem oriented location specific research on all crops in the special Zone (5254 Sq.Kms. in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Thrissur) of the problem areas. The main mandate of the station is research on coconut and coconut based farming systems and integrated farming.
Agriculture Farm & Sales Centre
Lot of vegetables seeds, fruit trees, Ayurvedic plants, & spices plants, coconut trees & Palm trees are sold here.
Vellavali a unique type of fishing in Kumarakom and Alleppey Backwaters
One of the very strange ways of fishing in this region is Vellavali, and only one type of fish called Karimeen (Pearl spot) is caught by bare hand by fishermen by this way of fishing called Vellavali. Karimeen is a popular fish and is generally found in the Backwaters of Kerala. It is a very tasty fish and usually it may grow more than 200 grams and the general size will be the size of a human palm, but it also has bones.Small wooden country boats are used for fishing, and in each Country Boat 5 to 7 people will be there for catching the fish in the backwaters. They will carry minimum 3 long bamboo poles; one man will use one of the poles from the backside of the Country Boat for moving the same and others will use oars to move into the pre planned fishing spot.They will carry a long Valli (Unique fishing equipment) of around 85 Mar (475 Feet),this Valli was formerly made up of long thick coir and the tender coconut leaf. Thousands of the same leaf after removing the mid-rib will be attached to the Valli, each leaf will have average 1 inch thickness and 2 to 2.5 feet length. This leaf will be attached with a distance of up to 8 inch. Now a day’s plastic is being used for the coir and for the leaf.
Two men will tie each end of the Valli just above their hip and will take one bamboo pole each and they will jump down from the country boat to the water and they will start their forward movement by walking, swimming or jumping with the help of the pole,and they will keep the distance of around 75 feet, thus they will drag the Valli in a U shape through the down of the water. Two to three persons will be following at the back side of the U shaped Valli, they will make sounds with their hands and legs by swimming, beating and cutting into the water.
The fish (Karimeen) which is already in the U shaped valli,by seeing the peculiar glittering colour of the leaves of the valli usually get scared and move forward to the back side of the U shaped Valli ,very fast ,but when they reach at the down of the U shaped valley,they will get further scared by hearing the artificial sound of the fishermen diving in the water and immediately they will dip into the mud,to get escaped,when it goes through the mud at the bottom of the water,because of the movements of the back fin,mud will come up in the water.The fishermen at the back ,will be watching this by diving and looking at the bottom,then the fishermen will know immediately where exactly the fish is under the mud and the fishermen will dive into the bottom of the water and with their bare hand ,using only the fingers,they will catch the fish on the head,and dive back to the surface of the water and by keeping the balance in the water by floating ,they will throw the fish into the small country boat ,which may be in the distance of 5 to 25 feet away. One fisherman will be in charge of the country boat, who will try to keep close to the divers so as to enable them to throw the catched fish from the water, very soon into the Country Boat. The divers will go back soon into the underground of the water as so many fish will be dipping into the mud again and again till the drawing of the Valli stops by the first two persons. They start their fishing by 8am and stops by 2pm, usually they stop the fishing which depends upon, the climatic condition (Severe breeze & waves and also underground water should be clear, then only the divers can see the movements of the fish) and also depends upon the volume of the catch of the fish. Generally they get from 5 Kg to 20 Kg fish (30 to 120 fish)The surprising fact is that the diving fishermen even go down up to 24 feet without any diving materials, for catching the Karimeen in this unique way.
Fishing at Kumarakom
Fishing At Mutherimada,5 Kms away from Kumarakom market Junction, you can try for Perl Spot Fishes (Karimeen) by using a fishing rod. There will be many other fish also to catch, with fishing rod, at the above place,you can reach the place through Kannadichaal which is after the Petrol Pump in Kumarakom. You can experience the village beauty on the way to Mutherimada. The place is very comfortable with a good climate, breeze,village life experience and the natural beauty. Fishing At Kari & Metran Kayal, are around 4 Kms away from Kumarakom and you may get different types of fish including Perl Spot Fishes (Karimeen) by using fishing rod, You can go in an auto rickshaw and come back in another one.Karimeen is a very tasty fish in Kerala backwaters.
Boat Races & Boat Clubs in Kumarakom
Kumarakom, is very famous for it’s Boat clubs and the Boat Races. Sree Narayana Jayanthi Public Boat Race and Kavanattinkara Public boat Race are held during Kerala’s festival of Onam holidays. Moreover there is Kottayam Boat Race which is also held every year during the Onam Festival.Many types of Boats including Snake Boats participate in the race.Kumarakom Boat Club,Kumarakom Town Boat Club and Kumarakom Village Boat Club are the most popular Boat Clubs in Kumarakom and also in Kerala,which won Nehru Trophy for the Snake Boat Race, which is held every year in Alappuzha ,consecutively for many times, in Jawaharlal Nehru Boat Race, being held at Punnamada Kayal in Alappuzha Backwaters.
Ferry Service
One must experience a boat ride from Muhamma to Kumarakom through Vembanad lake, largest lake in Kerala. The 45 minutes journey cost around 25 rs. Awesome experience.Muhamma – Kumarakom boat service available. Anyone can make use of public water transportation. From Kumarakom, bus services are available as well.30 minutes – 10 km non stop boat ride to kumarakom in government boat for 10 rupees only. This boat ride crosses vembanad lake at its widest part of 10 km.
Kumarakom & Muhamma
There is a Govt. Ferry Boats which starts from at the following times from Kumarakom govt Boat Jetty to Muhamma, which is a village just opposite of(west) Kumarakom on the bank of Vembanad lake by cruising around 40 minutes and the charge per person is around Rs15.this is a marvellous economical short trip by experiencing village life, lot of houseboats, the famous cross constructed in the lake, fishing activities, very comfortable breeze and waves in the lake is really an activity for relaxation and enjoyment.There is a Govt. Ferry Boats which starts from at the following times from Muhamma Govt Boat Jetty to Kumarakom just opposite of Vembanad lake by cruising around 40 minutes and the charge per person is around Rs15.This is a marvellous economical short trip by experiencing village life, lot of houseboats, the famous cross constructed in the lake, fishing activities, the famous cross constructed in the lake at Kumarakom side, very comfortable breeze and waves in the lake is really an activity for relaxation and enjoyment
Allappuzha & Kottayam
A boat ride between Alapuzha and Kottayam is a very pleasing experience. The 2 and a half hour ride in either direction costs just Rs 25.The State run boats stop at some 40 points. For the inhabitants of these water-logged lands, the boat is the only means of transport, hence the rates are kept low. True, the boats are very basic :not so even wooden floors, narrow seats of coir mat cushions, with the fibber bristles.But the journey is blissful, with just water, green paddy fields, Coconut trees, village life of two districts, fishing by fishermen, and the skies.Currently, the boats do not touch Kottayam town: the service is terminated at Kanjiram, which is 7 kms off Kottayam . You can catch bus or autos for reaching your place of accommodation.At Alapuzha, the bus terminus and the ferry points are adjacently located.Time: 6.45 Am, Via: Chithira, Pattaserry/ 11.30 Am,Via: Chithira, Pattaserry/ 1 Pm, Via: Pullathussery, Pandissery/ 3.30 Pm, Via : 24000 Kayal, Pullathussery, Aryadu, Punamada/ 5.15 Pm, Via: Pullathussery, Chithi
How to reach Kumarakom,in Kottayam Dist,Kerala State
By Air & then by road
Via Cochin International Airport, in Ernakulam Dist.(80 K.m.) 2.5 Hours
Via Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum) Intl. Airport (180 K.m.) 4.5 Hours
Via Karipur Intl. Airport (Kozhikode / Calicut International Airport) (215 K.m.) 5.45 Hours
Via Kannur Intl Airport ( 326 Km ) 9 Hours.
Via Mangaluru International airport (463.1 km)10 hr 31 min.
By Rail, then by road
Via Kottayam Railway station (16 Km).
Via Cherthala Railway Station (22Km)
Via Alappuzha Railway Station(40Km)
Via Ernakulam Railway Station(58Km)
By Ferry Service / Boat, then by road
Via Muhamma, in Alappuzha district, then through Ferry Service to Kumarakom Boat Jetty. ( 2.5 Km)
By Private Boat / Speed Boat
Via Alappuzha by Private Boat, then directly to IllIKKALAM Lakeside Cottages (2.5 Hours)
Via Alappuzha by Speed Boat, then directly to IllIKKALAM Lakeside Cottages ( 30 Minutes)