On the banks of the largest lake in Asia – the Vembenad, nestles Kumarakom a small village whose environs are endowed with pristine natural beauty.This area, blessed with a balmy weather and plenty of rainfall has lush, green surroundings like no other in India. Its clean and dust free atmosphere has a tangible freshness in the air that clears the head and makes for relaxation and rejuvenation.Clear dark velvet skies cover the nights and one can see a shimmering blanket of stars while basking in a cool evening breeze.Developed as a tourist destination less than a decade ago ,The National Geographic Traveler endorsed it as ‘One of the Ten Paradises on Earth’.In her Booker prize winning book `God of Small Things’ Arundathi Roy has written evocatively and extensively of the charms of the beautiful environs of Aymanam, Kumarakom.