ABOUT KOCHI (ERNAKULAM):

• Captivating Kochi, the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala is an excellent blend of traditions and modernity.
• Kochi, the “Queen of the Arabian Sea” is full of history legends and natural beauty.
• Since time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese had trade relations with Kochi.
• Beautiful town considered to be one of the most attractive destinations in the world is also a shopper’s paradise.
• Shopping list comprises of antiques, wood carvings, wooden jewellery boxes, oil lamps, coir products, textiles, spices and other handicraft items.

 

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Cochin International Airport, Kochi (COK), 34 kms away from Kochi city centre.
• Rail: Ernakulam Railway Station, Ernakulam, 6 km away from Kochi city centre.
• Road: Well connected with NH47 and NH 47A.

 

SIGHTSEEING AT A GLANCE:

SCENIC SITE	Chinese Fishing Nets
FORT & MONUMENTS	Vasco House   Jewish Synagogue & Jew Town (Mattancherry)   Dutch Palace (Mattancherry)   Vypin Island & Light House
HOLY CENTRE	St. Francis Church   Aluva (Alwaye)   Kaladi   Tripunittura
MUSEUM & AUDITORIUM	Tripunittura   Edappally   Museum of Kerala History & Its Makers   M.N.F Gallery of Paintings & Sculptures
HISTORIC SITE	Kodungallor (Crangnore)
BEACHS	Fort Kochi Beach   Willingdon Island   Vypin Island & Light House
BACKWATERS	Bolghatty Island
OTHERS	Ernakulam   Indira Gandhi Boat Race
FAIRS & FESTIVALS	Cochin Carnival  Indira Gandhi Boat Race  Malayatoor Perunnal Thalapoli Mahotshavam Onam Utsavam

For more information visit  https://www.keralatourism.org/kochi/

 

 

ATTRACTIONS OF KOCHI (ERNAKULAM)

 

Chinese Fishing Nets:

• Huge cantilevered fishing nets are the landmark of Malabar Coast.
• Nets were introduced between 1350 and 1450 A.D., by traders from the court of Kublai Khan in China.
• Set up on teak wood and bamboo poles and are mainly used during the high tide.
• Vasco da Gama Square affords the best view of these nets, especially during sun-set time.

 

Fort Kochi Beach:

• Beautiful beach extends from Kamalakada to the entrance of Kochi harbour.
• Along the beach are many colonial bungalows.

 

St. Francis Church:

• Built in 1503, by Portuguese Franciscan friars and is believed to be the first church built by the Europeans in India.
• Vasco da Gama, the discoverer of sea route to India, died in Cochin in 1524 and was initially buried here.

 

Vasco House:

• 16^th century building is one of the earliest residences built in Fort Cochin.
• It is said to be the house of Vasco Da Gama.

 

Willingdon Island:

• Set amidst mainland Ernakulam and the old town Mattancherry.
• Named after Lord Willingdon, one of the British Viceroys.
• Some of the finest hotels and trading centres of the city are located here.

 

Jewish Synagogue & Jew Town (Mattancherry):

• Synagogue built in 1568, is the oldest in the country.
• Township around the synagogue is known for spice trade and curio shops dealing in antiques as well as rare glass and beads.

 

Dutch Palace (Mattancherry):

• Built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Kochi, Veera Kerala Varma in 1555, but was later taken over by the Dutch.
• Palace has fine murals depicting scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharta and other mythological figures.
• Royal costumes, palanquins and other royal memorabilia are also exhibited here.

 

Bolghatty Island:

• Scenic Island located in the Kochi Bay is known for the Bolghatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744.
• Served as the seat of the British Resident and is now a heritage hotel run by the KTDC.
• Lush green landscape with great views of the backwaters makes it an attractive picnic spot.
• There is also a small golf course.

 

Vypin Island & Light House:

• One of the most densely populated islands of the country.
• Light house at Ochanthuruth affords an awe-inspiring view of the Kochi City and Aluva town.
• Pallippuram Fort on the northern end of the Vypeen Island was built by the Portuguese in 1503.
• First fort built in India by the Europeans.
• Another attraction is the charming Cherai Beach.

 

Ernakulam:

• ‘Gateway to Kochi’ is regarded as the ‘Commercial Capital of Kerala’.
• There are beautiful parks, children playgrounds and beach side pavements.
• Naval base and the Cochin Shipyard are also located here.
• Places of interest of Ernakulam are Mangalavanam small bird sanctuary, Marine Drive – Par Avenue – Fine Arts Avenue, St. Francis Assisi (Naduvileppalli) and Siva Temple, one of the largest temples of the State.

 

Indira Gandhi Boat Race:

• Famous snake boat race is held during the Onam celebrations (August/ September).
• It can be enjoyed from the Marine drive promenade.

 

ATTRACTIONS AROUND KOCHI (ERNAKULAM)

 

Aluva (Alwaye):

• Important pilgrim centre and summer resort lies on the left bank of Periyar River, 25 kms away from Kochi city.
• Famous for the Mannapuram Shiva Temple and St. Dominic Syrian Church.

 

Kaladi:

• Beautiful pilgrim site on the banks of river Periyar, 45 kms away from Kochi city.
• The birth place of Adi Sankaracharya, the great Advaitha philosopher and Bhakti saint of 8^th century.
• There are two main shrines – one is dedicated to Adi Sankaracharya, as Dakshina Moorthi, while the other is of Goddess Sharada, the patron deity of Sringeri Mutt.

 

Kodungallor (Crangnore):

• 32 kms away from Kochi city.
• Small historic port town was an ancient centre of trade and commerce and had relations with the Jews, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and the Arabs.
• It was earlier known as Muziris same to Greeks and Romans.
• Pliny, the great traveller described it as the ‘first emporium in India’.
• St.  Thomas, the Apostle is believed to have first landed at Muziris port in 52 AD.
• First mosque in India was also built here.
• Unique mosque faces east unlike others which face Mecca in the west.
• Kodungallor is also known for the Kurumba Bhagavathi temple and it’s Bharani Festival in March/ April.

 

Tripunittura:

• 9 kms away from Kochi city.
• Important cultural centre, enroute to Kottayam, 9 kms away from Kochi city, was the seat of erstwhile Cochin Rajas.
• Main attractions here are – Sri Poornathreyesa Temple and Hill Palace Museum.

 

Edappally:

10 kms away from Ernakulam.

 

• • Museum of Kerala History & Its Makers:
    • Exhibits the rich historical legacy of Kerala.
    • An Image of the legendary sage Parasuram is set outside the museum.

 

• • M.N.F Gallery of Paintings & Sculptures:
    • Located next to Museum of Kerala History.
    • A rich collection of original paintings of eminent Indian painters.