kumarakom is small town in Kerala, South India. If you're looking for

backwaters and are fed up with the crowds & prices at Kovalam, then its

well worth checking out kumarakom. The best times to go, are of course

in the season, when the beach extends out all around the cliff face for

500 meters.The backwaters around this area are excellent and if you're

looking for a cheap holiday kumarakom should definitely be on your

list. In the off season its really mellow and relaxed, swim & sleep &

chill out. Only in December does it get really busy and prices start

rocketing till January/February, when it starts to quieten down. But

remember most 'tourist' locations in India with backwaters will be busy

during December, if you want to miss the crowd, head for the hills in

Kodiakanal-Tamil Nadu. kumarakom has been a Hindu pilgrimage site since

the 12th Century. The Janardhana Temple was built during this period

and many Hindu's still visit kumarakom to this day, for this very

reason.

A gentle trip on a traditional rice boat is a must along the numerous inter-connected canals. En route, one may stop and come ashore to see village residents working on coir, fish-processing or exchanging views over a cup of coffee at the little shops that dot the canals. Here lies the best opportunity to mingle with the village folk of Kerala where some of the original mangrove swamps are still intact. One may set the pace to suit the time available or the need to stop when the sun is strong. Ideally, one may come ashore from the boat and walk around the village waterside where the local residents will happily interrupt work to explain the intricacies of their daily round. The more enterprising may even glide up a coconut tree and dislodge fresh fruit for on-the-spot sampling Above all, the languid pace in the backwaters, coupled with lush greenery all around, sets the perfect mood for a destressed return to nature.