10 Places to Visit in Kumarakom

Most of the backwaters in Kerala are located in the Kottayam district where a network of lagoons, rivers, and canals open up to the Vembanad Lake, providing a scenic view of exquisite beauty. Among all the Kumarakom tourist spots, the backwaters are the major tourist attraction due to the sheer brilliance of the green water, green hills, coconut trees, and Chinese fishing nets in the background.

With tourism mainly developing in the region and in the backwaters one can find numerous houseboats built in traditional ways for the most luxurious trips to their guests. The opulent resorts along the shores also make for an exquisitely beautiful and rejuvenating stay amid nature with the best Ayurvedic massages and authentic Kerala seafood. The backwaters of Kumarakom promise an unforgettable experience that will leave you wanting to return again and again.

Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall is one of the best places to visit in Kumarakom. This waterfall dries up during summer and it’s active during monsoons in Kerala. As it is a popular picnic spot due to its natural surroundings, this place attracts a lot of visitors. Unsettled natural paths lead you to water cascading over rocks.

It is covered by dense rubber plantations that provide a serene and beautiful setup. When the sunlight shines on the water, this waterfall changes color and warmth every hour. Every age group can have fun here, adults gleefully absorb every moment of nature's bounty and children do have fun while bathing under this waterfall.

Vagamon is one of the most stunning destinations among all other Kumarakom sightseeing places. Situated at 1100 metres above sea level, this hill station is all that travelers are looking for after a busy day in a city isolated by fresh air. This hill station is a chain of mesmerizing dunes, beautiful valleys, abundant tea gardens, and waterfalls.

The skyline offers different shades of green as far as our eyes can see. If you want to revive, rejuvenate, and reawaken a tired body and soul then the luscious green has the power to do it. To explore the place and uncover mother nature, this place is eminent for trekking amongst tourists so there are a lot of things to do in Kumarakom, and trekking in this place should be on your bucket list.

This small island of Muhammar in Alappuzha in Vembanad Lake has won the hearts of many who have either visited or stayed in this enclave. Pathiramanal Island is another best place to visit in Kumarakom, as it attracts a large number of migratory birds across the geographical area.

The best experience to visit the island is to hire a boat from Kayippuram Jetty, which takes you through a magnificent green expanse where the emerald green of the land blends with the green water and creates a wave of tranquillity in the soul. It is home to about 140 species of endemic and migratory birds, so be ready with your binoculars and camera to capture the right moments.

This ancient Shiva temple is highly relevant as this is where the Pandavas and sage Vyasa worshipped. The Pandavas and sage Vyasa worshipped in this ancient Shiva temple, so this temple is highly relevant. One of the most significant festivals of the temple is the annual Ettumanu festival, held in the month of Kumbham (February-March).

The famous Nataraja statue inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple was donated by the then Maharaja of Travancore. The eternal lamp that burns throughout the year is kept right in the middle of the temple.

In the middle of the temple, there’s an eternal lamp that burns throughout the year. The temple is also eminent for the annual Ejaharponana, which consists of seven and a half elephants decorated in gold. Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is open every day from 4.00 am to 12 noon and 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm.

Nestled in 14 acres of lush greenery on the south bank of the River Kavanagh, it is a birder's delight. A scheme of trails takes one to different sections of the sanctuary to reveal its rich diversity of flora and fauna.

To capture migratory birds like the Siberian crane, teal, flycatcher Photography enthusiasts flock to this place. Some local birds like moorhen, Brahminy kite, and cormorant are frequent visitors here. Psychedelic-colored native kingfishers, golden-backed woodpeckers, doleful parrots, owls, and egrets amaze ornithologists. The operating hours of this sanctuary are 6.30 am – 5.00 pm every day. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary’s entry fee is Rs.50/- to Rs.100/- (approx.) per head.

Amongst other places to visit in Kumarakom, this beach is another main attraction for visitors for its pristine aquamarine water. It can steal away the tiredness of the day as you watch the gentle waves against the yellow sand. For perfect sunrises and sunsets over the mighty sea, you can also choose to stay at the many resorts that line the coast.

Indulge in yoga on the beach for a heavenly connection, and meditate late evening on the beach for a mystical feeling. To keep the visitors engaged and give them an adrenaline rush, a plethora of adventure sports and beach activities such as parasailing, water skiing, and snorkeling are arranged here. Be sure to dine at the shacks lining the shore as excellent seafood is cooked and served in the local style.

Vembanad Lake, the confluence of ten rivers is another best place to visit in Kumarakom and the pulse of Kerala can be felt in Lake Vembanad. Vembanad Lake is the largest lake of Kerala and it is also the state's pride, a maze of small islands, lagoons, canals and estuaries that present an overwhelming display of nature's majesty.

Vembanad is a tourist hot spot exclusively for backwaters, and here one can see more than five hundred Kettuvallams, traditional houseboats docked or anchored. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is on the banks of Vembanad, where hundreds of migratory and local birds are seen in their splendor. The famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race takes place every year on the jade-green flowing waters of Vembanad Lake in August so book your tickets for Kerala in August.

In Kumarakom, this ancient Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The traditional style of architecture and the murals depict stories from the mythological era in detail will captivate your heart. Built by the then-King Thekkumkur, this 500-year-old temple is the pride of Kottayam.

In the temple premises, there is a six-inch tall Shiva Linga with Goddess Parvati standing on the left side. There’s a 10-day long annual festival which is known as the Phalgun festival which is celebrated in March/April, the ritual attracts arati and also features processions of caparisoned elephants.

Various temple arts and cultural programs are displayed as part of the festival. The opening hours of this temple are 4.00 am to 11.00 am and 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm every day. Amongst other holy places to visit in Kumarakom, visiting Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple should be on your bucket list.

Thanneermukkom bund was constructed to prevent floods. The saltwater intrusion is one of the attractions of Kumarakom as it is India's largest mud controller. Since the barrier divides the lake into two halves, one flows with brackish water and the other half with fresh water fed by rivers flowing into the lake, and it has distinct shades of green and blue.

The Thanneermukkam salt water barrage connects the two districts of Kottayam and Alappuzha with the village of Vechur lining either side of the barrage. The open blue sky, blue-green water, and distant olive-green trees all merge somewhere on the accessible horizon and is an outstanding sight. Drive along the road parallel to the embankment or hire a boat to navigate at leisure for a better view of the picturesque surroundings.