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Kerala Vembanad Lake
The lake is indeed a beautiful picnic spot as well as a rapidly developing backwater tourist destination. It has many things to offer to the tourists such as boating, fishing and lots of sightseeing opportunities which are all exhilarating. This beautiful lake erupts during Onam with a spectacular water sight - the snake boat races. It is a wonderful sight to see the oarsmen which usually number a hundred in one boat, meander their way through the waters.
The ideal time to visit this lake is between November and March when the weather is pleasant enough to explore the outdoors. It is during these months that you will be able to see a number of migratory birds.
History
The Vembanad Lake is considered to be an ecologically important wetland. It has also found a place for itself on the international wetland list for conservation and sustainability.
Vembanad Lake is known to be one of the biggest brackish lagoons in Kerala. This lake is considered to be one of the most beautiful spots and also interesting backwater tourist destinations. The lake is sprawled over an area of 80 kilometers and its banks are surrounded by coconut tree plantation evergreen forests. This lake is best for bird watchers as it invites a large number of nesting waterbirds to the lake.
Vembanad Lake is located some 16 kilometers from Kottayam town and is famous for its lush green environs, fishing, exciting boat cruises and sightseeing tours. This lake comes alive during the auspicious festival of Onam because of its spectacular snake boat races. These boat races make the spectators mesmerized wanting them to come again and again to this beautiful lake.
Nearby Attractions
The culture and tradition of the people, the calmness and tranquility of the prevailing atmosphere of the place makes this lake to be an out of the ordinary tourist destination.
Pathiramanal: It is tiny island found in Muhamma panchayat which is a part of Alappuzha district. The name means Sands of night. The awesome and thrilling beauty on both sides of the lake along with the island is mesmerizing. The lake is the home of many migratory birds which arrive here from different parts of the World. The island is sprawled over 28.505 hectares.
Kumarakom: It is indeed a beautiful backwater destination and it has many things to offer to the visitors. You can easily avail of the boating and fishing facilities which are available at the Taj Garden Retreat which is a sprawling old bungalow-turned-resort.
Thanneermukkom: It is a village in Alappuzha District of Kerala and is situated on the banks of Lake Vembanad. A salt water barrier has been built across the lake, which connects it to Vechoor in Kottayam district. It is this barrier which separates the lake into two sections ; one with brackish water and the other half with fresh water.
How To Reach
In order to enjoy the beauty of a place you must also be able to reach it easily and conveniently. This is also equally true with this Lake which has all modes of transport available.
If you are coming by air you will find that Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to Kumarakom. Another airport is at Trivandrum, 171 kilometers away. Moreover, you can select any mode of public transport to reach this airport. You can even reach the town by road as Kumarakom is well connected by roads. You can also reach the place by rail as Kottayam railway station is around 16 kilometers away from the city.
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