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The Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and the paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west border Kottayam. It is a unique land of the four Ls - letters, legends, latex and lakes. Kottayam brings to mind the panoramic backwaters, lush paddy fields, highlands, hills, extensive rubber plantations and a population that is completely literate. Kumarakom in west Kottayam is part of the wonderland - Kuttanad. Kumarakom is characterized by paddy fields, mangrove forests, coconut groves, lakes and dry land. Coconut trees are interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals that are ornate with white lilies. The resorts of Kumarakom provide opportunities for excellent boating, angling and swimming. Kottayam has a vast network of lakes and waterways which empty into the Vembanad Lake where there are cargo boats available for tourism purposes. The boats are called Kettuvallams which are modified into cruise boats, house boats etc with all modern facilities. The tiny island of Pathiramanal or the Midnight Sands is accessible only by boat. The festive month of August sees the rivers of Kottayam crowd with boat which herald the season of the Boat Races. The serene lakes come alive during Onam with a spectacular water regatta - the snake boat races. Kottayam is escalating in its significance as a destination of tourism in Kerala with the scenic hill station Elaveezha poonchira. It is located among three beautiful hillocks and hence is the place of pictorial charisma. According to legend, the pool here is the place where Panchali, the heroine of the Mahabharata, had taken a bath. The banks of the Vembanad Lake has a Bird Sanctuary that is frequented by migratory birds like Siberian Stork, egret, darter, heron and teal, as well as local birds like the water fowl, cuckoo, owl and water hen; other common varieties include the wood pecker, sky lark, crane and parrots.
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