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Saturday, August 20, 2011

Kumarakom

In 1878, the marshy mangrove on the bank of the Vembanad Lake was cleared and replaced by coconut plantations. The person in the wake of this maneuver was one George Alfred Baker of Essex who had arrived in India sixty years earlier to take up missionary work in Kottayam. The Englishman was so awestruck by the splendor of Kumarakom that he settled here and made Kumarakom his abode.

Pathiramanal : (Sands of Midnight) This 10 acre island on the backwaters is home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world. According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below. Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi, Pathiramanal is accessible only by boat. The green island thus forms an ideal place for a break in the journey while on a backwater cruise.

Bird Sanctuary : Inhabiting an islet on the Vembanad Lake at a distance of 12 kilometers from Kottayam in Kerala, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is an enjoyment for the bird lover. Showcasing a mystifying collection of unique birds among the pantheon of general bird population it is an ideal place for tourists to enjoy the serene loveliness of the environs. The solitary tones that can be heard at this point are that of placid flow of water and smooth calls of the birds. Tourists can chill out here for a while if they are worn out of leading a swift existence. A visit to this sanctuary will endow with them a peep into the astounding work of the natural world. The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian cranes.

Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls : Make a trip to the pictorial Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls situated 18 km from Kottayam town, 2 km along a sludge track from Kumarakom is this striking picnic spot where brooks chime as they flow through the scenery and waters growl as they gush down the mountains from an altitude of 100 ft.

Thazhathangadi Valiapalli : Built in 1579 by Thekkumkoor Maharajah, this church displays outstanding architecture, which is a blend of Kerala and Portuguese styles. The walls are adorned with beautiful murals made in oriental and western styles on biblical and non-biblical themes.

Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple : Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple In the heart of Kottayam town is this 500 year old temple built by the Thekkumkoor Maharajah. This temple built in the Kerala style of architecture has colorful murals on its walls, which are worth exploring. The Koothambalam, the special building in the temple premises used for cultural purposes, is one of the best in Kerala.

St MaryĆ¢€™s Church, Cheriapalli : 12kms from Kottayam built in 1579 by Thekkumkoor Maharajah, this church displays outstanding architecture which is a blend of Kerala and Portuguese styles. The walls are adorned with beautiful murals mad in oriental and western styles on biblical and non biblical themes.

Vaikom Mahadever Temple : 8 kms from Kumarakom, associated with the legendary Parasurama, this temple is a typical example of the Kerala style of temple architecture. More popular as the Kasi of the South, this temple is famous for its elephant pageant and traditional art performances.

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