When one speaks about the best backwaters destination in India the first name to crop up is undoubtedly Kumarakom. Kumarakom is a small abode crammed with tiny islands that lie 85 km from Kochi international airport in Kerala. Located on the Vembinad Lake, Kumarakom is the hub for houseboat cruising. This is one tourist destination that is guaranteed to entice you back to its mesmerizing lands again and again. Kumarakom offers you not just the most exhilarating boating experience but also some mesmerizing sightseeing spots.

Kumarakom offers not just the traditional boating in houseboats but it also has speedboats and canoes to travel you back to the olden days. The travel in the backwaters is such an enriching experience that when you travel through the paddy fields, coconut grooves and banana plantations you feel transported to another world altogether. The climate of Kumarakom is tropical and you can travel here any time of the year with the period from November to March being the best time to visit. Kumarakom also offers you a rich assortment of water sports to indulge in. Try your hand at water skiing and wind surfing while on a vacation here.

Kumarakom is the place to be to relish the festivities of the Onam festival, which is the major festival of South India. Kumarakom cuisine is delectable and has rice and fish as the major dish relished here. Tourists can treat their taste buds with some authentic South Indians cuisine as well as continental, Chinese, North Indian and American cuisine too.

During the Onam festival you must have a look at the “snake boat race” that is a special boat race in which the boats have a number of rowers seated in the boats to row the boat to a finishing point. People travel from various places to participate in the festivities of Onam that go on from August to September every year.

Kumarakom has the most picturesque beaches you would have ever experienced. If you just want to laze around on the sandy beaches away from the hustle bustle of the city then this is the place you need to go to. Lie down on the sandy beaches and relax in the breezy environs of Kumarakom. Kumarakom is also known for its massive Aruvikkuzi Waterfalls that fall from a height of 100 feet. It also has the renowned Shree Dharmasastha Temple that is one place of worship visited by both Muslims and Hindus.

Apart from the grand beaches Kumarakom is also an ideal destination for ornithologists. Nature enthusiasts and bird watchers would love to have a look at beautiful birds like kingfishers, night herons, snakebirds, herons, Siberian cranes, woodpeckers etc. In fact Kumarakom has the world famous Bird Sanctuary that is located on Vembanad Lake. Spread across 101 acres this bird sanctuary has a rich collection of migratory birds and local birds that tourists would love to watch. If you would like to have a look at some migratory birds then you should plan your visit from November to March. 

Article Posted By : kayal  On May 30, 2011lView All Articles

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http://www.veethi.com/articles/kumarakom-article-31.htm

Keywords :
kumarakom , vembinad lake , kerala , backwater