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When in God’s own country, block dates in your itinerary for places to visit in Kumarakom. Kumarakom is like the gemstone of Kerala with an emerald green surrounding, a labyrinth of canals, lakes and backwater, migratory birds soaring across the sky and locals busy with their daily lives. Dotted with Churches, temples, Mosques and other holy places for people across religious background to worship, the town has a concoction of varieties.
One can enjoy the rich diversity of hills, forest, rivers, plains, sea and ghats all in one single destination. Migratory birds at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary can be seen soaring over the Vembanad Lake as guests have a time of their life birding from the deck of the houseboats. The Juma Masjid, Thazhathangadi Valiapalli and the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple attract major tourists round the year.
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As the name suggests, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a birdwatcher’s paradise, placed in close proximity to the scenic backwaters. Situated in the Kottayam district, it is in sync with the Vembanad Lake, another of top places to see in Kumarakom. Visit the lush green Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary to get acquainted with various migratory birds including Siberian Stork and Kingfisher. The Pathiramanal Island aka Sand of Midnight is also accessible from this sanctuary via a 10-minute boat ride.
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The convergence point of ten rivers, Vembanad Lake is the glory of the city. The never ending mesmerizing backwaters and picturesque backdrop of the lake compel you to stay in this city forever. Vembanad Lake is ideal for a romantic getaway – just rent a houseboat, explore the horizon of the lake, and spend blissful romantic time with your partner. The moment you are here, you’ll know that this is one of the best tourist places in Kumarakom.
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One of its kind museum in India, Bay Island Driftwood Museum is propelled by a unique idea. It showcases the carvings and intricate woodwork on driftwood or any other wood recovered from water. Originally initiated by a school teacher, Raji Punnose, this form of art attracts admirers from all over the world. The authentic woodwork is awe-worthy to even those who don’t understand the intricacies behind the art.
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Kumarakom is also famous for the alcoholic beverage, Toddy. The beverage is prepared using the fermented coconut palm tree sap. The way it is prepared is an art in itself. After its extraction, it is fermented for a day and gradually starts to get alcoholic properties and mild aroma. There are various shops that offer this beverage like Pallipadam Toddy shop, The Kumarakom Toddy Parlour, Kokkothottam Toddy shops, etc.
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Visit this museum if you have an inclination towards exclusive antiques. This is one of the most-visited tourist attractions. During the weekends, you can witness the most crowd at this place. You can even stop by at this place if you are looking for souvenirs that hold historical as well as cultural significance. Behold the intricately crafted Kathakali masks, sacred figurines, and other little baubles.
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The second significant temple in Kumarakom, Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is in close proximity to the Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is believed to attract lakhs of Shiva devotees every year. Besides the grand Vaikom Ashtami celebrations, the temple is known for it remarkable architecture.
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Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is the kind of pilgrimage place that really makes you feel calm inside. An always-lit lamp in the centre, earthy murals on the wall, a famous painting of Nataraja and a long queue of devotees waiting to pour oil into the lamp – this is the scene of the temple on any given regular day. Located in the small village of Ettumanoor near Vaikom, it is one of the best places to visit in Kumarakom.
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This church was established in 1550 AD and is a part of Knanaya Orthodox Syrian Community. Apparently, Godavarma Raja who belonged to the royal family of Thekkumkoor made contributions in the building of the church. This church is famous for the Persian cross on which you can find inscriptions written in Pahlavi language.
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The oldest, yet well preserved Orthodox Church in India was built in 1579 with a fusion of typical Persian and Kerala style of architecture. The walls of the Church are adorned with murals which have been designed in Western and Oriental style. The altar of the Church is decked with embellishments in gold which glitters in the presence of a congregation. The galleries, pillars, cornices and the windows talk tons about an era bygone.