Spread across 14 acres in a former rubber plantation that was previously known as Baker Estate, the Englishman who developed this area into a sanctuary would be happy to know how many keen birdwatchers he continues to delight.
It is at dawn and dusk that the sanctuary comes alive with shrill cries and cacophonous calls an early morning trek here will give you fabulous sightings. You’ll find the trees dotted with night herons, purple moorhen, Brahminy kites, teals, egrets, cormorants and darters and large Indian fruit bats. There are also large populations of breeding darters, purple herons, little cormorants, Indian Shag, white ibis, local waterfowl and pond heron. The ten most abundant species here are the lesser whistling teal, little cormorants, whiskered terns, pond herons, intermediate egrets, Indian Shag, cattle egret, purple heron, little egret, and cotton teal.
June to August is the breeding season of resident wetland birds like cormorants, egrets, herons, darter and white ibis. Between November and May, is the season of migratory birds like pintailed duck, garganey teal, spot billed duck, osprey, marsh harrier, steppey eagle, etc. The species recorded include great cormorants, open billed storks, grey herons, yellow bitterns, white ibis, cotton teal, pheasant tailed jacana, ruddy crakes, gull billed terns, shikra.
Arm yourself with a pair of binoculars. Neighboring areas of Kaipuzha Muttu, Pathiramanal, Narakathara, Thollayiram Kayal and Poothanpandi Kayal are also excellent locations for birding.
The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located at a distance of 16 km from Kottayam town, in the village of Kumarakom (in the Kuttunad region).
You can enjoy a cruise, take a canoe or walk to enjoy the bird sanctuary.
This is the venue for Sree Narayana Jayanthi Vallam Kali or Boat Race, one of the more popular boat races in Kumarakom.
This is a museum displaying a unique collection of superior quality driftwood articles of very high artistic value, prepared through a rare and innovative modern art form. You can find a huge collection of root sculptures of various shapes and designs.
This displays a large collection of elegant driftwood sculptures, collected from the islands of Andaman and Nicobar. Apart from the tribal Jarawa Woman, Handicapped Family, Monkey, Lion and Elephant, there are pieces focusing on the Kargil War and Subash Chandra Bose’s ‘Chalo Dilli Campaign’. However, the masterpiece is the crocodile that, in its ferocity, sports an almost real look. The museum also showcases an amazing collection of flowers and buds.
The brainchild of Raji Punnose, a teacher who worked in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for 25 years, the idea for the museum started when during her strolls along the beaches, she started collecting driftwood pieces washed ashore. Sensing a potential for sculptures in these raw pieces, she spent long hours pruning and giving shape to them without tampering with the naturalness of the wood, already shaped by the sea.
Visiting Hours : The museum is open on all weekdays, except Monday, from 10 am to 5 p.m. On Sundays, it is open from 11.30 am to 5.00 pm.
The sunset from the Monroe light area is an unique experience, that one will always cherish.
This little village has a band of plucky women involved in moulding clay pots. Clay from surrounding fields is transported here by canoe. Women from eight families then settle down to mix the clay with sand for consistency and mould it into shape, before firing it in a huge dug-out kiln. The ladies abound in bonhomie and dedication. Interestingly, they specialize in making a pot called maatta, which is used for toddy-tapping. They also produce earthen lamps for festivals and households. Such is the demand that buyers turn up at their doorstep for the earthenware. Worth a visit, to know what a cooperative society is really all about.
This is an important centre for the Syrian Christians
The name of Fr. Kuriakose Elias of Chavara, who is among the most saintly figures in the annals of Syrian Catholic Church history, is associated with this place. The church houses the remains of Fr. Kuriakose who is regarded as a “Servant of God”. Hence, the place has gained prominence as an important Christian pilgrimage centre.
Vaikom is situated in the North-West of Kottayam. Its western border is bounded by the Lake Vembanad, and is crossed by various distributaries of the River Muvattupuzha. It lies between Ernakulam and Kottayam. Vaikom is the oldest township in Kottayam, and among the oldest in South India.
The Vaikom Shiva Temple, known as Thekkan Kashi [Southern Kashi], is the heart of the town, and is remarkable for the Vaikom Ashtami celebrations during November. It is notable as the venue of the Vaikom Agitation for achieving for the lower castes the right to walk on the roads surrounding the temple.
The traditional economy has been based on coconut and rice crops, and fishing; more recently, crops like nutmeg, black pepper, and latex have also been introduced. Tourism and software are also pursued as means to livelihood.
This is a quaint picnic spot ideal for a languorous break. Tourists can avail of various recreation options including boat cruises on the Vaikom Lake.
After Lake Superior in China, Vembanad is the second largest freshwater lake in South Asia, and the largest in India. But if you were to see this geographical marvel for yourself, you will refuse to believe that they call it a lake.
Stretching for 110 odd kilometers and spanning three districts, Vembanad was formed because of the union of three rivers - Periyar at Kochi, Meenachil at Kottayam and Pamba at Alappuzha. At its widest point at Kumarakom, it measures six kilometers across and its other end simply disappears from view. The strong breeze that billows in from the northwest lashes the water surface with huge waves. Sandwiched between this huge expanse and the parallel network of backwaters further inland lies one of the most picturesque villages of Kerala, Kumarakom.
In the Vembanad lake there is a small beautiful island called Pathiramanal or the Midnight sands. This lonely island in the Vembanad Lake is accessible only by boat.
The Vembanad wetland system covers an area of over 1512 sq km. The lake is bordered by Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts. It lies at sea level, and is separated from the Arabian Sea by a narrow barrier island. Canals link the lake to other coastal lakes to the north and south.
The Vembanad Lake, is home to many marine and freshwater fish. Varieties of shrimp, prawn and fresh water fish are beautiful. The "Pearl spot" fish is found in relatively lower numbers, and is a local delicacy.
Sometime in 1997, a languid little village near Kumarakom shot into literary limelight. When a book called The God of Small Things got Arundhati Roy the Booker prize, it also generated much curiosity about the village in which the action unfolded. Roy’s Ayemenem is not totally fictional. Part of it does exist, and it’s an interesting place to explore. To start with, catch a glimpse of Puliyampallil House, the Roys’ ancestral home. It’s not open to public, but view it from outside and you will recognize shades of ‘Ayemenem House’ in its verandahs, rafters and lush green grounds.
A stone’s throw away is the Ayemenem temple: remember the twins Rahel and Estha watching an impromptu Kathakali performance in its environs? Take a stroll through the grounds and observe typical temple architecture. Glide through the rippling backwaters on a country canoe. Observe distinct features of life by these intricate waterways, note the species of birds darting in and out of the deep waters and allow the languid landscape to lull you into a trance. Disembark and walk down country roads for a closer look. En route, check out the spices and herbs that the place is renowned for. If Kerala’s dance-drama fascinates you, take time out to visit Mathoor Govindankutty Aasan, a master Kathakali performer. Explore the intricacies of this performing art and get acquainted with the costumes and make-up. The monsoon months are a great time to head here. You’ll know exactly what Roy meant when she wrote, “…three months of wind and water with short spells of sharp, glittering sunshine that thrilled children snatch to play with. The countryside turns an immodest green. Boundaries blur as tapioca fences take root and bloom...”
Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things is set in Ayemenem village, which adjoins Kumarakom. The explosive success of this novel has given some added touristic impetus to this area. The Taj Garden Retreat hotel complex is centered around a building that is called "History House" in the novel it was built by British missionary George Baker, whom the locals called "Kari Saipu" (possibly an elided form of "Baker Sahib"), as in the novel. Four generations of Bakers lived in the house until 1962, speaking Malayalam, and even wearing the mundu. It is in ruins in the novel, but has been restored by the Taj group. The Ayemenem house, where Arundhati Roy spent part of her childhood (like the twins in the story), can also be visited in the village, which can be reached by boat along the Meenachal river that figures prominently in the story.
Sree Narayana Jayanthi Vallam Kali or Boat Race, at Kumarakom, Kerala is held on month of September every year during Onam feastival. More than 1000 oarsmen in boats of different sizes and shapes will participate in this event. Even though Snake Boats participate in this race, the importance is given here is for Iruttukuthi, in which about 50 oarsmen row. The successful iruttukuthi each year will win The Sree Narayana Ever Rolling Trophy.
There is a history behind this boat race. In 1903 Sree Narayana Guru arrived at Kumarakom to consecrate an idol of Sri Balasubrahmonia Swamy at the Kumaramangalom Temple. In fact, it was after much hesitation that he agreed to consecrate the idol as he was more interested in starting a school at the backward village. Eventually, both the school and the temple were started as per the wish of the Guru. The arrival of the Guru was a great day of celebration for the people of this nondescript village by the Vembanad lake and they welcomed the sage into their midst, accompanying him in their boats in a procession. To commemorate this event, for the past many decades, a boat race, preceded by a boat procession are being held as part of the Sri Narayana Jayanthi celebrations at Kumarakom.
The day will begin with special pujas at the Kumaramangalom Temple . This will be followed by Gurupuja and Gurupushpanjali at the Gurumandiram. Arts and sports competitions for children will be held as part of the celebrations during the forenoon. The Kumarakom boat race will commence. Prior to this, the grand procession of country boats carrying a portrait of Sree Narayana Guru and the thidampu from Kumaramangalom Temple will be held up to Kottathodu, the venue of the boat race. The celebrations are scheduled to conclude with a public meeting and distribution of prizes for the winners.
These boats are called Kettuvallom. Originally they were built to carry consignments of rice, bricks and other produce. They got a new lease of life when they were converted into full-fledged hospitality centres and came to be called houseboats.
These have all basic facilities like kitchen, toilet, bathrooms, sit outs etc. These boats gracefully move around the back waters, providing facilities to tourist to enjoy the beauty of the Vembanad lake in a relaxed pace.
The multiple bedroom houseboats are restricted to Vembanad Lake and the river tributaries of the region. Because of their size it becomes difficult to manoeuvre in the narrower stretches. For those who are just in search of a tranquil holiday, this won't make much of a difference, but for those who are looking to explore the everyday life of the local populace; the operators have remedies to overcome this.
This includes a village walk. Another option is a one hour conoe ride that you can get into from the Houseboat that can go into all the smaller channels.
You typically cruise for most of the day and at about 6:30pm the houseboats dock allowing the fishermen to cast their nets at night.
A typical cruise starts at noon and ends around 10:30 the next morning. But there is also option if taking the cruise for more than one night.
Muthoot River Escapes, Lakes and Lagoons, Raibow Cruises are some of the boat operators.
The Bird Sanctuary can be visited by canoes, which can be arranged with local fishermen at the entrance to the sanctuary. A two-hour rowing canoe trip is quite cheap, and is best undertaken in the evening or early morning to avoid the afternoon sun.
This little village has a band of plucky women involved in moulding clay pots. Clay from surrounding fields is transported here by canoe. Women from eight families then settle down to mix the clay with sand for consistency and mould it into shape, before firing it in a huge dug-out kiln. The ladies abound in bonhomie and dedication. Interestingly, they specialize in making a pot called maatta, which is used for toddy-tapping. They also produce earthen lamps for festivals and households. Such is the demand that buyers turn up at their doorstep for the earthenware. Worth a visit, to know what a cooperative society is really all about.
This is perhaps the most popular way to sight the bird population of the park. On board the houseboats and motorboats, it becomes possible to sight a number of birds without actually disturbing them. What makes these cruises all the more special is the kind of tranquility felt while sailing through the serene waters of the Vembanad Lake. The Island of Pathiramanal ( meaning Sands of night) which attracts a large number of migratory birds is also easily accessible from the boats.
Another option to spot the bird species of the park is to set out on foot on the one and half km long walking track. Chances are that a large number of Herons, Darters, Storks, Teals etc will come across and provide an easy glimpse. You can take beautiful photographs.
If you are a bird lover then this is a place which will definitely satiate your avian appetite. It is really fascinating to walk over the leaf-carpeted lanes of the forest - a path you can trust - and watching numerous alluring creatures in their nests on the green acme, chirping and taking flight every now and then. Look at those snow-white egrets, bedecked with delicate panache, amidst the dancing black and white storks - a natural chessboard with a single player to enjoy, time. Grey herons, with their black head plumes, poise as they interact with their neighbours. it is indeed a memorable experience to see black-headed ibis, perching high on the uppermost branches and raising their wings to unveil crimson armpits. The cacophony of painted storks, with their yellow bills and pink tail ends, has to be heard to be believed. In addition, one can also see the native kingfishers painting the ecosphere in psychedelic colours, experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and lone golden-backed woodpeckers and even enjoy the twists and turns of the paradise fly-catchers.
While rains give life to the greens, winter remains a handsome time to visit the park. Visit Kumarakom bird sanctuary to pop upon the endangered (because of habitat loss and hunting) Siberian Cranes, with bills and faces as red as if dipped in blood, white tufts that is simply peerless and sprawled wingtips in black, like a spinning nebula in the dark sky. Although much of these vegetarian foreigners are absent in this century, it is still possible to spot a few eye-catching demoiselle cranes and 'sarus', the latter hooting for a shield of protection, so that in future years it doesn't meet the unfortunate fate of its Siberian relative.
There are fishermen in their small boats looking for fish while the women, neck-deep in water, search for the shy but tasty Karimeen fish with their feet. Or you could stay awake at night when fishermen glide over the dark waters with a flaming torch in their left hand and a net in their right. The fish, attracted by the light, are scooped up in the net.
