Kumarakom is a village in Kerala located on Vembanad Lake, the largest lake in Kerala. It is famous for its backwater tourism and offers views of mangrove forests, rice fields, and coconut trees along its waterways and canals. In the past, Kumarakom was under the control of the Thekkumcore King and had fortifications to protect it from attacks. Today, it is a popular tourist destination known for relaxing houseboat rides, birdwatching, beaches, and its natural scenery. Some of its main attractions include Vembanad Lake, Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom Beach, and Pathiramanal Island

1. KUMARAKOM
Edited by,
Jubin Johny
Dept. of Management in Hospitality
Marian College, Kutikkanam, Idukki, Kerala

2. About Kumarakom

3. Kumarakom is situated 13 Km away from Kottayam is a
sleepy little village on Vembanad Lake in Kerala.Vembanad
lake is the largest lake in Kerala and kumarakom is famous
for its backwater tourism. It offers wide variety of flora,
exotic sightseeing, boating and fishing experience. The
beautiful paradise stocked with mangrove forests, emerald
green paddy fields and coconut trees comprises with
water ways and canals adorned with white lilies enchants
the tourist from world over.

4. Kumarakom was within the jurisdiction of Thekkumcore
King during those periods and it was also usual to have
fighting and competitions among local Kings. Chundan
Vallom and Veppu Vallom were widely used among the
local kings for their lightning attacks and fighting in the
central Travancore. During those days Vembanad Lake was
a dangerous Zone, therefore the Thekkumcore King kept
enough soldiers in Kumarakom and also he constructed a
Fort on the entrance of Kottathodu in Kumarakom.
Soldiers were kept in certain areas of Kumarakom for the
protection of enemy attacks and those places are still
called as Padakkalam, Padanilam etc., in Kumarakom. We
can still see the remains of the wall of Six feet breadth of
the above said fort, near the village office of Kumarakom.

5. The National Geographic Magazine has listed Kumarakom
as one of the must-see places in lifetime. Kumarakom has
been declared a Special Tourism Zone by the Kerala state
Government, as legislated for by Kerala Tourism Act, 2005.
It had won top honors including the UNWTO Ulysses
Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance. The
Kumarakom initiative had earlier won the National Award
for Best Responsible Tourism Project and also the PATA
Grand Award for Environment.

6. The land is famous for it’s painstakingly hand craft each
exquisite piece still made in a traditional way. Kumarakom
will be a perfect choice to spend quality time with family.
Lot of things awaits a tourist at Kumarakom. Kumarakom
will be gives a romantic experience. The atmosphere at
Kumarakom will make tourists more romantic; gave the
most memorable moments in their lifetime. The seasonal
time for visit Kumarakom from November to March. Rainy
season is also allowed. A day at Kumarakom will always
bring freshness for every person. Tourists should get a very
rare chance to get indulge with the greenish environment
here.

7. Major attractions in
Kumarakom

8. 1. Vembanad Lake

9. Vembanad Lake is the largest lake in Kerala. It is India’s
longest lake too as the vast expanse of water runs from
Kochi in north to Alleppey in south. It is otherwise known as
Vembanad Kayal. It invites migratory birds from all parts of
the world. It is a confluence of three rivers. To explore
Kumarakom, visitors could hire a houseboat and sail the
stretch of water. The small islands around and the serene
atmosphere will be heavenly. The lake is rich in marine
creatures with over 150 different kinds of fish in the waters.
Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life
exclusively the Chemeen (Prawns), the Konju (Tiger Prawns)
and Karimeen.

10. 2. Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls

11. Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls are located 18 km from
kottayam. The over 100 feet high water falls is a famous
picnic spot. It falls in five steps and it is an ideal location
to be photographed. Located amidst rubber
plantations, the wooden landscape and the streams
flowing down make the place one of the most
picturesque waterfalls. If tourists love to trek, they can
have a still greater time here. Yet another attraction
here is the St. Mary’s Church, which is located at the top
of Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls.

12. 3. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

13. The 14 acre bird sanctuary is the favorite spot for
migratory birds from all parts of the world. It is situated
on the banks of Vembanad Lake. The bird sanctuary
houses a wide range of birds including cuckoo, water
duck, owl, kingfishers, woodpeckers and egret. The
migratory birds that attract attention include Siberian
cranes, teal, wood beetle and many more. It is also
known as a birdwatchers’ paradise.

14. 4. Kumarakom Beach

15. Tourists’ choice of destination to relax on their holiday is
completely justified here. The sandy shores and the serene
coastal lines make the place a perfect spot for a leisure walk.
Tourists could unwind and observe the beauty of the place
that brings calm to their mind or go all out to enjoy the
various sporting activities available here. Tourists go for
swimming, boating, wind surfing, skiing and parasailing.
Tourists go on a houseboat cruise to explore the beach to
enjoy its enthralling beauty. The resorts around here offer
Ayurvedic massages and spa treatments.

16. 5. Kumarakom Backwaters

17. Kumarakom backwaters are a scenic place where
tourists can enjoy the bliss of nature. It is home to a
wide range of plants and animals. The best way to enjoy
the beauty of Kumarakom backwaters is to go on a
houseboat that takes tourists through various canals,
lakes and river around here. The houseboats offer the
best possible facilities needed for a comfortable journey
on water. Be a passive admirer by sailing along or
indulge in various water sports such as skiing and wind
sailing. Fishing is also available.

18. 6. Bay Island Driftwood Museum

19. Bay Island Driftwood Museum houses unique collections of
articles made of driftwood. The driftwood articles are highly
valued as modern art techniques have been used in their
making. The sculptures found here are made of driftwood
that was deposited on the shores of Andaman and Nicobar.
The twisted trunks of the trees, roots and stumps were
transformed into sculptures. Some sculptures resemble
animals, fish and birds. Some driftwood articles could be
centuries old as some of the trees that were washed away to
the seashore owing to cyclones are ancient

20. 7. Pathiramanal Island

21. Pathiramanal is one of the islands in Vembanad Lake.
Pathiramanal means the ‘sand of night’. The 10 acre
island houses an aquarium and a small zoo. Some of the
exotic types of migratory birds can be seen here. Since
this island can be accessed only by boat, 40 minutes
away from kumarakom.

22. 8. Juma Masjid

23. Juma Masjid is an ancient mosque that is over 1000
years old. It is also called Thazhathangadi Mosque. It is
said that the mosque was constructed by Malik Dinar’s
son Habib Dinar. Malik Dinar was behind the
introduction of Islam in Kerala. This is considered one of
the oldest mosques in the country. The magnificent
architecture and the exquisite wood carvings are
stunning. The inner courtyard, windows and the bathing
area are excellently built that they look royal.

24. Accessibility

25. One can access Kumarakom by many means:
 By air: From Cochin International Airport, approximately
80 kilometers and from Thiruvanthapuram International
airport, approximately 164 kms to kumarakom.
 By rail: 16 kms from Kottayam Railway Station.
 By boat: Boat services are available from Muhamma (near
Alappuzha) to Kumarakom Jetty.
 By road: KSRTC and private buses from vaikom, cherthala
and kottayam are available. Taxi cabs are also available.

26. Amenities

27. There are lots of restaurants, coffee shops are in kumarakom.
Few of them are; Lime Tree Restaurant, Ettukettu
Restaurant, Dubai Hotel , La Breeze Restaurant, Tharavadu
Restaurant, The Water side Restaurant, Ashadom Restaurant,
Baker’s Gourmet House etc…
There are around 5 Taxi car stands and over 15 Auto-rickshaw
stands in kumarakom. It is a well mobile coverage place even
at the boating time also. Many of the nationalized banks and
ATM facilities are available in and around kumarakom. There
are many shops in kumarakom like stationary, antique and
Handicraft items. For the protection of the tourists, a people
friendly police station is situated at kumarakom.

28. Activities

29.  There are many activities can be carried out by a
tourist when visiting kumarakom.
 See the wide variety of birds at Kumarakom bird
Sanctuary.
 Backwaters Cruise through Vembanad Lake.
 Enjoy Kumarakom boat race in the months of August
and September.
 Evening House boat Ride.
 Enjoy Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls.

30.  Feel the beauty of Pathiramanal Island.
 Touch and feel the 1000 years old ancient Mosque Juma
Masjid in Thazhathangady.
 Tourists can also visit Valiyapally in kumarakom, Sree
Mahadevar Temple in Vaikom and other pilgrimage
centre’s in and around kumarakom.
 Bay Island Driftwood Museum is an important for
experience seekers.
 Kumarakom Beach is for nature lovers and photographers.
 Thanneermukkom Bund is one of the longest bund.

31. Connectivity

32. Many of the tourists visits all the natural beauty places
in kerala.Especially kumarakom is one of the important
destination for all national and international tourists;
because kumarakom is near to the Kochi International
Airport. Only 80 kms travel from there. Tourists also
take interest in visiting kumarakom when they are at
nearby destinations in Kerala. Kumarakom, its own has
a worldwide recognition.

33. Some of the Major destinations nearby kumarakom are;
 Munnar- 157 kms from kumarakom.
 Fort Kochi- 55 kms from kumarakom.
 Western Ghats- 163 kms from kumarakom.
 Sree Mahadevar Temple vaikom- 19 kms from
kumarakom.
 Vagamon- 79 kms from kumarakom.
 Mannanam- 20 kms from kumarakom.
 Allapuzha- 33 kms from kumarakom by road and 15
kms by boat.

34. Thank you…