About Kumarakom Sailing on a boat, relish the fragrance of this dozy little town. Kumarakom lies on the shores of the pleasant Vembanad Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad, 12 kms west of Kottayam town. Loveliness of the place enticed an English man, Henry Baker, who selected Kumarakom as his residence and built a bungalow with a beautiful garden, acquiring 104 acres of land from the then Maharaja of Travancore. This beautiful bungalow has now been modified into the 'Taj Garden Retreat', a hotel with modern living facilities but still retaining the traditional old style. Kuttanad, the 'Wonder Land' believed to have been lying below the sea level, sprang out into the marshes when the sea receeded later. As a testimony to this fact, one can see large deposits of shells in the lakes here, that are usually found in the sea. It comprises of a number of islands in the backwaters and waterways linking the islands providing enough panoramic treat for the visitors. Birds from all over the world flock at a sanctuary in their process of migration which is plentiful in south India. Kumarakom is one such place. Location & Attractions Bird sanctuary Spread over 14 acres of land, it is a major attraction here. Birds like Egrets, Darters, Herons, Teal, Bitterns, Brahminy kites, Marsh Harries, Waterfowl, Cuckoo, Wild ducks etc. are seen here in abundance. Siberian storks migrate to Kumarakom every season. Walk along the stream and over a small log bridge, you are in the sanctuary. A 6.00 a.m. start is the best. Boats are the best way to enjoy Kumarakom. Sensing this, the Kerala State Tourism Development Corporation is providing boating facilities. The corporation is converting this place into a tourist complex adopting methods such as modifying traditional cargo boats called Kettuvalloms into cruise boats and house boats, with all basic facilities like kitchen, toilet, bathrooms, sit-outs etc. These boats gracefully move around the backwaters, providing facilities for tourists to enjoy the beauty of the Vembanad lake in a relaxed pace. Festivals Boat race: Backwaters host many special events during August and September in and near Kottyam.