Located
on the banks of Vemband lake, Kumarakom dazzles its beauty through the
sparkling fresh water and exotic greens surrounding it.Being a part of
Kuttanad region , the village offers picturesque scenaries of fisherman and
their cock shell boats, birds , greens, and rural heritage. The unique rural
life clubbed with the beautiful Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is definitely a
best resort for those who wish to capture the beautiful birds in their
camera. Domestic birds such as cuckoo, wild duck, egrets, darters, herons,
teal, and water fowl can be seen in abundance here, as much as the Siberian
storks which migrate to this area each year. The fragrant flowers, the riot
of multicolourd birds, the greenary and the crystal water explicitly depicts
heaven’s beauty in Kumarkom.
House Boat The huge houseboats, powered or poled, with living rooms,
toilets, kitchen, balcony for angling are remodeled cargo barges. They are
made of wooden planks joined together by rope and no nails. There is a bird
sanctuary. The region of Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala, is around. Here
farming is done below sea level.
Places to Visit
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
A trip to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary what you shouldn't miss. The best time
for this is between November and March, when a range of migratory birds from
Siberia make it their winter home. Some of the species include the Snake
bird, Little Cormorant, Crow Pheasant, White-branded water Hen and Tree pie.
Occasionally you can catch the native kingfishers setting the waters ablaze
in a psychedelic flash of colours. The night herons, the Golden-backed
woodpeckers are added delights.
At the fourteen-acre bird sanctuary one can glimpse many a rare bird - some
of which, sadly, may not be around forever
Water Carnivals
Vallamkali, the famous Snake Boat Race are spectacles enacted on the onset
of the Onam season. The backwaters of Alleppey come alive with the rivers
becoming flush after the rainy season. It becomes the venue to Kerala's
major attraction - the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race which take place in
August - September every year. Magnificently decorated long boats - with
raised sterns which resemble the raised hood of cobras (hence the term,
snake boat) rush through the waters in a flash of oars and a roar.
Oars swinging to a fast-paced rhythm. And the snake boats shoot across the
emerald stretches. Enthusiastically powered by over 150 singing and drum
beating oarsmen. The spring season is at its charming best. A spellbinding
display of strength and beauty. The backwaters will be teeming with
exhilarated spectators cheering (some of whom come from the farthest corners
of the world). Other major events are the Payipad, Pulinkunnu and Aranmula
races.
Kettuvallams
Kettuvallams are huge, tapering barges which were traditionally used to
cargo rice and other goods across Kerala. It has a portion covered with
bamboo and coir serving as kitchen and rest rooms for the crew. These boats
are entirely built without the use of nails. Planks of jack wood are woven
together with coir ropes and coated with a black resin made from boiled
cashew kernels.
Modern-day Kettuvallams called houseboats, carry finished bedrooms, modern
toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony where tourists can
laze on cushions. Sections of the carved roof of wood and plaited palms open
out to provide shade and allow an uninterrupted view. Most of the boats are
poled by local oarsmen. Some are powered by engines. Gliding on serene
backwaters, visitors can witness an un-spoilt Kerala.
Sunset & Sunrise Cruise on a Kettuvallam
No trip to Kumarakom is complete without a Kettuvallam sunset or sunrise
cruise. The ride offers a close look into a delightful rustic life.
Skiff-fishermen launching their tiny boats. Large flotillas of ducks
waddling down to the water from coconut leaf thatched houses on the banks of
canals. Palm-filled lagoons, an enchanting view of wooded islands and the
main lands are poetically beautiful scenes.
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