KOCHI

BEST SEASON: December to February
LANGUAGE SPOKEN: Malyalam, Konkani, Tamil and English
CLOTHING: Summer- Cotton & Winter- warm clothes
STD CODE: 0484

INTRODUCTION

The commercial capital of Kerala and the most cosmopolitan of the State's cities, Cochin has long been eulogised in tourist literature as the' Queen of the Arabian Sea'. It has a fascinating blend of Cultures. From time immemorial,traders and travellers frequented the place. One of the finest natural harbours in the world is located here.

Most of the city's commercial centres and shops are located in the mainland,the town called Ernakulam which also lends its name to the district.

The Chinese fishing nets swaying in the breeze over the backwaters,the Jewish synagogue, Dutch Palace, Portuguese architecture and British influence all blend harmoniously with the basic thread of kerala's rich heritage.

PLACES TO VISIT

Jewish Synagogue,Mattancherry
Built in 1568 AD, the great scrolls of the old testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by Cochin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese handpainted tiles are of interest . Two hundred years old, no two tiles are alike. There are also several finely wrought gold and silvercrowns gifted to the synagogue by various patroans.

Mattancherry Palace(Dutch Palace)
Built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555 AD,it acquired the present name after 1663, when the Dutch carried out some extensions and repairs in the Palace. In the centre of the building is the coronations Hall where the Cochin Raja's held their coronations. Today, it is portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas. Adjacent rooms contain 17th century murals depicting scenes from the Indianepic the Ramayana.

Santa Cruz Basilica
This church was built by Portuguese and elevated to cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. The British demolished Dom Gomez Ferreira commissioned a new building in the same site in 1984 the church was proclaimed a Basilica by Pope Joh Paul II.

Vasco house
Built during the 16th century, the Vasco House is believed to have been the residence of Vasco- Da Gama. It is in fort of Kochi and is one of the oldest Portuguese constructions.

St.Franci's Church, Fort Cochin
This Protestant Church was built originally by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and it is believed to be the first church built by the Europeans in India. Vasco-Da-Gama was buried here. Fourteen years later , his mortal remains were taken to Portugal.

Willingdon Island
Another of Cochin's famous islands is Willingdon Island named after Lord Willingdon, the British Viceroy of India . It is a man made island created from the material dredged while deepening the Cochin Port Situated between Ernakulam and Mattancherry and separted by the backwaters,Willingdon Island is an important part of Cochin. It sites some of the city's best hotels (Casino Hotel ,Taj Malabar & Trident)as well as the Government Of India tourist office, the Southern Naval Command head Quarters, the Cochin port trust, and the customs house. Also on the island are the offices of several major trading and industrial houses as well as the Cochin chamber of commerce and Industry.

Chinese Fishing Nets
The entrance to the Cochin harbour is dotted by the Chinese Fishing Nets called Cheena vala in Malayalam. There are large nets which hang from bamboo or teak posts and are still used by local fishermen in fort Cochin to catch fish attracted by the light suspended above the net. Silhouetted against the sunset, they present a spectacular sight of Cochin's waterfront.

HOW TO REACH

By Air - Kochi International airport is at Nedumbassery (33km North East of Ernakulam City).There are direct services to Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Goa, Banglore, Thiruvananthapuram and Gulf countries.

By Rail - Kochi is connected by rail with many important cities.

By Raod - kochi is connected by road with several Tourist centres in India.

By Sea - Kochi harbour-periodical service to Lakshadweep Island.

By Ferry (Boat jetty) - The main Ferry station is located one kilometre away from Ernakulam south railway station. From here boats are available to all islands.

DISTANCE

Trivendrum-220 km
Mysore-397 km
Madurai-270 km