Kumarakom in brief..........

1. Kumarakom www.uniquekerala.com

2. Kumarakom Kumarakom for the nature lovers. An ideal place for bird watching. A backwater town you can laze in a canoe amidst sylvan surroundings. A voyage takes you to the rich green, sleepy little village of Kumarakom on the Vembanad lake. Gliding along the calm and serene backwaters flanked by green leaves and palm seeing a rural Kerala preserved through the ages and completely hidden from the road is a unique experience to any visitor. Nowhere else in India will you find a place as beautiful and secluded as Kumarakom.

3. Kumarakom in brief 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.

4. 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 'KumarakomKarimeen' (pearl spotted fish), Konju (tiger prawns), Njandu (crabs), Chemeen (prawns) and many more.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. The local spring season emerges from August and coincides with the harvest festival of Onam, blooms the tourist and the local people. And so, ..Come & Ride -through the backwater country that offers a glance of the rustic Kumarakom life. ..Come & Watch - the swaying paddy fields with the herds of ducks and other water birds. ..Come & Roam

8. -the lofty coconut palms standing upright above the evergreen foliages of the mangroves and other wetland vegetation, ..Come & sail -on the canoes, houseboat, country boats silently through the zigzagging waterways ..Come & listen the occasional call of the migratory bird. All liven up an image of that eternal beauty for which Kumarakom is much famous.

9. Climate: Kumarakom enjoys a well-balanced tropical climate. The lowest and highest temperatures recorded are 20.00 C and 37.80 C. There is always a cool, fresh breeze, which makes even the warmest weather readily agreeable. The South West monsoon is from early June to early August. However, slight drizzles persist till early November. Average rainfall is 1100 mm per year. The peak tourist season is from November to March.

10. Places of Interest: 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.

11. 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.

12. Kottayam Kottayam is an ancient town famous for its churches, especially the 700 years-old churches, the Cheriapalli ('small church') with exceptionally lovely paintings over the altar and the Valiapalli('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. The mortal remains of the blessed Alphonsa and the Blessed Father Chavara are entombed at the St.Mary's Church at Bharananganam and the St.Joseph's Monastery Church at Mannanam respectively.

13. Thousands gather at these holy shrines during festive occasions. Pala town and Kanjirappally, nourished by the Meenachil and Manimala rivers respectively are centers of rubber plantations. The Ettumanoor Shiva Temple 12 km north of town, has exceptionally beautiful wall paintings and sculptures inside the temple. In the heart of Kottayam town is the much venerated ThirunakkaraMahadeva temple.

14. Erumely This is an important pilgrim centre for the Hindus and Muslims. SreeDharmasastha Temple here is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Pilgrims going to Sabarimala alight here.

15. 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.

16. Contact us Unique Tours & Hospitality Services"BETHESDA" , Harmony Enclave,Near UdayamperoorJn,Kochi. Pin-682307 Kerala, India.Tele/fax : 0484 2307286Mob. 0 9846066688 E-mail: mail@uniquekerala.com