Vellavali
Vellavali, a method of fishing used to catch Karimeen (Pearl Spot) is quite common in Kumarakom. This method requires expertise in fishing and swimming.
First, a piece of coir rope, about a km long, is shaped into an inverted U. Tender palm leaves are attached to the rope and then two fishermen tie the ends of the rope to their waists while standing in water in bright sunlight. The men then walk through shallow water using poles. The palm leaves tied to their waists shine in the water. The light reflected from the leaves scares the Pearl Spot and they hide in the muddy areas. At this time, expert swimmers, who have been following the two men in country boats, dive into the muddy water and catch the prized fish with their bare hands.
Angling
The canals running across the village as well as the shallow waters of Lake Vembanad offer great opportunities for angling. With patience and a little bit of skill, you are sure to have a fairly good catch as well as a lot of fun, taking part in a traditional village activity.
The traditional angling gear consists of a simple fishing rod, a fishing line and a hook. The popular bait, earthworms, is found in abundance all around.
Fishing
Fishing is not just a livelihood in Kumarakom but it has also turned out to be an excellent tourist-bait. Catering to the newly emerged demand from visitors, travel planners, resorts and agencies include fishing using traditional methods in their tourist packages.
The tourists can have their pick from fishing with nets, angling and handpicking of clams.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Perfect getaway for nature lovers, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is situatedin the Kottayam district of Kerala. The Vembanad Lake is also situated on its banks. The bird sanctuary is a favourite haunt of migratory birds.
Developed in a rubber plantation, Alfred George Baker is believed to have laid the foundations of Kumarakom village and the bird sanctuary by reclaiming 500 acres of wetlands from the Vembanad lake during the 1840s. Bakerâ??s descendant Henry developed the plantation into an attractive bird sanctuary. The sanctuary was formerly known as Bakerâ??s Estate. The main attractions are waterfowl, egret, heron, cormorant and Brahminy kite. Migratory birds from Himalayas and as far away as Siberia make the sanctuary their home during winter between November and May
Backwaters
Kumarakoma is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayamfor its backwaters. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala. If a quaint getaway is something that you're looking for, then this is the place that you should be visiting.
Along with Allepey, Kumarakom is the starting point for backwater cruises in Kerala. Sailing along the backwaters of Kumarakom is sure to rob your heart. The quaint silence and the calmness around you will make it extremely difficult for you to leave the place. One can glimpse green paddy fields, flocks of ducks swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky. It is as close as one can get to feel the vibrant life in the countryside of Godâ??s own country.
Bay Island Driftwood Museum
Founded by Raji Punnoose, a school-teacher in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bay Island Driftwood Museum is famous for its innovative modern art techniques deployed to design various kinds of root and tree-trunk sculptures.
Other sculptures made of driftwood comprising of twisted tree trunks, stumps, roots etc. are also on display here. She had developed this collection shaped in the form of birds, animals, reptiles, amphibians and fishes during her teaching days. The interesting and expansive techniques of curation have helped the museum to be listed in the Limca Books of Records.