Kochi










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KOCHI

INTRODUCTION

The commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala, Kochi along with its mainland part, Ernakuam is also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. With one of the finest natural harbours in the world, this was once a major centre of commerce and trade with the British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese and Dutch etc.Kochi is the most modern city of Kerala where the best shopping markets are located. From Cochin ships set sail for foreign ports with pepper, seafood, rubber and coir. The harbour is the nucleus around which Cochin has grown to become the Queen of Arabian Sea. The word Ernakulam comes from a Tamil word Erayanarkulam which means abode of Lord Shiva.

HISTORY

Cochin located at the tip of the Indian peninsula is one of the busy shipping ports in India and a major centre for trade and commerce for it is very close to the Arabian Sea. According to history Chinese traveler Ma Huan has made mention about Cochin in his records. There is a mention about this port city in the travelogue by Niccolo da Conti when he came to Cochin in 1440AD.The history of Cochin even before the rule of Portuguese is faintly perceptible. Only after the decline of the Kulashekhara kingdom Cochin stated gaining its importance. The King of Cochin always remained only as the title head for it was always under the colonization of foreign invaders. Cochin was mostly in the limelight mainly during the Portuguese period. Under the supervision of the admiral Pedro Cabral, the Portuguese king laid the foundation for a factory in Cochin. Though the King of Cochin supported the admiral, it was out of fear of the Zamorins that they withdrew. But however a war was declared against the Zamorins by Vasco Da Gama and most of the Arab trading posts were destroyed. After this to protect the factory Fort Manuel was built. The Portuguese and the Raja of Cochin was overthrown by the Dutch and then followed by the English rule. Soon after independence Cochin took the credit of first joining the Indian Union. Slowly Cochin developed into a major commercial and industrial centre.

LOCATION

Cochin located on the west coast is the capital of Kerala extending from latitude 9�58' in the North to longitude 76�17' in the East. Cochin is bounded by Kottayam and Alappuzha on the south, Idukki on the east and Thrissur on the north.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

There is an annual festival held in the Shiva temple for eight days during which Seeveli procession with nine tuskers and Panchavadyam are held. Towards the end of the seventh day Pakalpooram is held with activities like Kathakali, Ottanthullal and music concerts. The festival ends with Arattu.

Thalapoli Utsavam is celebrated for two days in the Valanjambalam Devi Temple. The festival celebration includes five caparisoned elephants accompanied by temple musical ensembles known as Ezhunnallippu takes place.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Cochin Fort and the Church

Cochin Fort is the oldest European settlement in India established in 1503 by the Portuguese.Vasco Da Gama was buried here in St.Francis church, but his remains were taken back to Portugal later.

The Dutch captured in 1663 and finally it passed into the British hands in 1795.

Also within this fort is Cathedral of Santa Cruz.

The Dutch Palace

In Mattancheri,a little south east of the fort, lies this palace an imposing structure built by the Potuguese in 1557 and then taken over by the Dutch and improved upon considerably.

It was presented by the founders to the Raja of Cochin Veer Kerala Verma who used it as his residence and palace.

The major highlight of the palace is the excellent murals which depict scenes from Ramayana and episodes from the life of Sri Krishna.

The Synogogues

The Jews of Cochin trace their history back to the 6th century BC when their ancestors fled here to escape the religious persecution Jerusalem.

Their stay here was disturbed by the arrival of the Portuguese but the advent of Dutch made them again feel safe and secure and then they raised Synogogues in Cochin.

Here one will find the clock tower and the floor paved with porcelain hand painted tiles brought from China in 1762.

Santa Cruz Basilica, Fort Kochi

This was built by the Portuguese in 1505 and was declared as cathedral in 1558.

In the year 1795 this cathedral was demolished to a major extent by the British.

However the latest construction was done in 1905 and later only in 1984 Pope John Paul declared it as basilica.

This Basilica is situated in Fort Kochi.

Chinese Fishing nets

This fishing net was introduced by the Chinese that line the sea-front and uses a mechanical method to catch fishes. This fishing net was introduced by traders of Kubala Khan's Court.

The museum of Kerala history

This museum attracts a lot of tourist for it has many statues and paintings and there are many clippings and audio visual aids are used to depict the history of Kerala.

Parikshit Thampuran museum

Initially this was used as a durbar by the rulers of Cochin. But now it is under the control of Lalith kala Academy which serves as an art gallery.

Bolghatty Palace, Bolghatty Island

It takes a boat ride from the mainland to reach this Dutch palace which is situated on the Bolghatty Island.

Now this palace is converted into a hotel which is administered by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).

It is of major tourist attraction and also serves as a weekend picnic spot.

Hill Palace

The hill palace is now run as a museum which has a collection of articles showing the wealth and splendour of the Rajas of Kochi and many other archeological findings.

This palace which belongs to the 19th century is situated at a distance of about 16km east of Cochin in Tripunithura.

Willingdon Island

This man-made island was created in 1933 by sand dredged while deepening the backwaters for the Cochin Port, under the direction of Sir Robert Bristow.

A while back the Airport, Sea port and the railway terminus (Cochin Harbour Terminus) were situated on this island.

Today, it is the home of the Cochin Port and the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command.

The airport continues to be the naval air station, while the main airport has been moved to Nedumbassery, 30kms north-east of Cochin.

Most of the trains now terminate at Ernakulam Junction instead of Cochin Harbour Terminus.

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary in the heart of the city is situated next to High Court of Kerala. It is the home of many exotic and rare varieties of migratory and resident birds.

Cherai Beach


This lovely beach ideal for swimming is located on the north end of Vypeen Island, one of the many small islands just off the mainland.

The beach is lined by gorgeous coconut groves and paddy fields.

Vypeen can be reached by land or by boat.

Veega Land


Veega Land situated at a distance of about 14kms from Cochin is one of the largest amusement parks in India.

It draws a lot of tourist attention and includes mini castles, water theme park, ferris wheel, rides, slides, shows and fountains.

Kids and adults alike can enjoy the fun and activities.

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor


This is the fourth largest stadium in India with a seating capacity of 60,000 in multiple tiers.

The main attraction of this stadium is the unique convex pylon floodlights that arch over the ground.

Alleppey

Allepey the ayurvedic and the backwater country is popularly referred as the Venice of the East.Allepey with its intricate structure of interconnecting passages of canals and bridges along with the silver beach, makes for a memorable holiday for anybody visiting this place. Apart from the natural beauty of this place Allepey is also noted for being home to diverse animal and bird life.Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala is situated here and it is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. This place of scenic beauty with a delightful setting of lush green paddy fields, towering coconut trees, shimmering water and famous ayurvedic centers draws a lot of tourist every year from different parts of the world. Apart from this the other entertainments here include boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.

Munnar

Munnar amidst beautiful landscapes often referred as the Kashmir of South India is more essentially a tea town. Munnar gets its name from the fact that this is the place where the 3 mountain streams join together and they are Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.In the tamil language the word 'munnu' means "three" and 'aar' means "river". Hence "Munnar" is a shortened version of 'Munnu Aar'.Munnar is a commercial centre for tea and it has some of the highest grown tea estates in the world. It also takes the credit of having the world's best tea estates.Munnar is the house of at least 30 tea plantations in and around Munnar, among which majority of them owned by Tata Group's Kannan Devan Tea Estate.Munnar is not only a place for relaxation but also a location for adventure. A trip to Munnar gives the travellers a unique experience with its sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities.

SHOPPING

The main of Shopping in Cochin includes handicrafts, spices and nuts. Handicrafts range from items made of coir, wood, bamboo, shells, brass, ivory and sandalwood. The main shopping centers are on M.G.Road, the Marine Drive including Broadway. One can also buy the works of contemporary artists from different art galleries situated around Cochin.
Some of the main area for shopping of handicrafts includes: Kairali, the Kerala State Handicrafts Development Showroom Surabhi, the State Handicraft Society Emporium and Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan, the showroom of Khadi Village Industries. The Coir Board Showroom on Mullasherry Canal Road is famous for its coir products like coir mats and curios.

How To Reach This Jew Town Bazaar?

How To Reach This MG Road Bazaar?

EAT OUTS

1.Anchor House
Door No. V/40, Bazar Road,
Cochin - 682 002
Tel: +91 484 2223115

2.SONNETTA RESIDENCY
Princess Street,
Fort Cochin - 682 001,
Kerala, South India.
Ph: +91 � 484 - 2215744

3.Cornucopia restaurant - Kochi
39/432/5125, Mills Lane, Foreshore Road,
Kochi / Cochin,
Kerala 682016
0484 6459495 () 09840290333 (Mobile)

4.Chariot Beach Restaurant
Princess Street, Fort Kochi, Kochi,
Kerala 682001

5.Park Avenue
Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala
0484 2216670 ()

6.Fan Fang Chinese Restaurant
Aroma Cuisine Pvt Ltd, Opposite Malayala Manorama,
Parapilly Arcade, Panampilly Nagar,
Kochi - 682036

7. Kayees Hotel Upgrade to Sponsored Listing
Durbar Hall Road, Kochi - 682016

8. Daawat E-Khas Upgrade to Sponsored Listing
Jos Brothers Building,
1st Floor, M.G Road,
Kochi - 682035

9.Cream Land Upgrade to Sponsored Listing
High Court Junction, Kochi - 682031

10.Tandoor Restaurant Upgrade to Sponsored Listing
Layam Road,
Near Woodlands Hotel,
Kochi - 682011

ACCOMMODATION

1.Abad Airport Hotel
Cochin International Airport,
Wellington Island, Nedumbassery,
Kerala 683590
0484 2610411 ()

2.The Old Courtyard Hotel
Princess Street, Fort Cochin,
Kerala
India 682001
Phone : +91-484-2216302/2215035

3.HOTEL ARCHES
1/341, Rose Street, Next to St. Francis Church,
Fort Cochin, Kerala, India, Pin: 682001
Phone: 91 484 221 50 50

4.Taj Malabar, Cochin
Willingdon Island
Cochin - 682 009
Kerala, India
Tel: (91- 484) 6643000

5.Hotel Fort Queen
Kochi, Kerala
0484 2210943

6.Thomas Inn
Place page
Shenoy Cross Rd, (Near Margin Free Supermarket on KK Road) Cochin, Kerala 682017
0484 2347281

7.Good Karma Inn
Place page
Rids Dale Branch Road, Njali Parambu Junction, Fort Kochi
Kochi, 682001
09995475105

8.Waltons Homestay
Place page
Princess street, 1/369
cochin, Kerala 682001
0484 2215309

9. Kuzhupilly Beach House
Place page
204, Beach road, Ayampilly po, Veli
Kochi, Kerala 682501
048 42531456

10.Time Square Hotel
Place page
Club Rd
cochin, Kerala 682011
0484 2374488

Travel Guide

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Travel Information

Airlines   Buses   Railways   Hotels   Eat Outs   Cabs

GETTING THERE

By Air
Cochin has an international airport 30 kilometrs from the city. The city is connected by direct flights with all the major Indian cities as well as many major middle eastern cities and Singapore.

By Rail

Three railway stations in the city connect it to the rest of the country. These are Eranakulam Junction, Eranakulam Town, and Cochin Harbor Terminus. These stations are the starting points of many important trains.

By Road

A network of well maintained roads make road travel to and from Cochin very comfortable. Three national highways pass through or originate from the city.