Kochi

Kochi

Ernakulam, located in Kerala, South India, would showcase that one of its major areas of business and tourism. Ernakulam is considered as the commercial capital of Kerala. It is the entry point of most of the tourists to Kerala. Two railway stations and a I international airport connects Ernakulam to the rest of the world. A travel to Fort Kochi, which is one of the earliest European settlements in Kerala, is most important itinerary. The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry, various monuments of the British era, the Jewish Synagogue and the famous Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, all demonstrate the cultural heritage of Kerala. Marine drive, Bolgatty Palace, Hill Palace Museum at Tripunithura and Thrikkakkara temple are some of the important places in Ernakulam. The Ernakulathappan temple here is also very famous. Chottanikkara Devi Temple and Trippunithura Poornathrayeesa Temple are the other two temples of interest to the devotees. Bastion Bunglow, Bhoothathankettu, Cherai Beach, Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Kodanad, Malayattoor, Santa Cruz Bascillica, Willingdon Island, and Parikshit Thampuran Museum are some other places of interest in Ernakulam district.

Sightseeing in Kochi

Bastion Bunglow
Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667 AD, Bastion Bungalow get its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old, Dutch fort.

Bolgatty
Bolgatty palace built by the Dutch in 1744. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin. Today it is a hotel run by K.T.D.C. The grounds have a small golf course & several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour & the sea. 3 kms from Ernakulam by Boat or road.

Chendamangalam
This land was once the abode of the Paliath Achans, the prime ministers of the Maharajas of Kochi. Their residence, the Paliam Palace represents the architectural splendour of Kerala. The Palace houses a collection of historic documents and relics. It is about 42 km from Ernakulam.

Children's Park
A high-tech children's Park with Non-Conventional Energy Museum and Musical Fountain. The Children enjoy a lot with the facilities available here.

Chinese Fishing Nets
A legacy of the trading connections between China and India many centuries ago. The long rows of chinese nets silhouetted against the sunset present a spectacular sight of Cochin's waterfront.

Chottanikkara Temple
Mother Goddes worshipped in three different forms - as Saraswati in the morning - draped in white, as Bhadrakali at noon draped in crimson, and as Durga in the evening decked in blue. 13 kms from Kochi.

Dutch Palace
The Dutch palace or Mattancherry palace was originally built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma in 1555. It was later taken over by the Dutch who improved it through extensions and repairs in 1663.

Hill Palace
The largest archeological museum of Kerala. Paintings, carvings, etchings and other trappings of royalty like majestic beds, weapons and samples of epigraphy. 13 Km from Cochin on the Ernakulam-Chottanikara route.

Historical Museum
Important scenes of Kerala history are portrayed through Sculptures. Greeting the visitor outside is a statue of Parasurama, the mythological safe who is said to have created Kerala. 6 km from Ernakulam at Edappally.

Jewish Synagogue
The Synagogue at Mattancherry built in 1568 is the oldest Synagogue in the Common Wealth Countries. It was partially destroyed in the war of 1662, but was rebuilt by Dutch. In the mid 18th century the clock tower was added.

Kalady
Kalady is the birth place of Adi Shankaracharya the great Indian Philosopher who lived in the 8th century. 2 shrines in memory of Sankaracharya - one for Dakshinamoorthy and the other for the Goddes Sharada. Kalady, 45 Kms from Cochin.

Kallil Temple
A 9th century Jain temple shaped out of from a huge rock on a small hill in a picturesque surrounding. The visitor has to climb 120 steps to reach this rare historic temple. 22 kms from Kalady.

Pallipuram Fort
Pallippuram fort was built by the Portuguese in 1503. It is one of the oldest existing European monuments in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold it to the State of Travancore in 1789 This fort is situated in the northern extremity of the Vypeen Island at Pallipuram.

Parikshit Thampuran Museum
This museum features collections of the 19th century paintings, Pre-historic monuments, Old coins in a numismatic gallery, scriptures in stone & Plaster of paris, copies of mural paintings etc & the collection from the Cochin royal family. Adjacent to the Shiva temple in Darbar Hall Road, Ernakulam.

Santa Cruz Basilica
This Roman Catholic church is situated near the St.Francis church and is worth a visit. It is a specimen of Portuguese architecture built in 1503.'Frescoes' and mural paintings decorate the ceiling and interior parts of the church.

St.Francis Church
The first European church in India. Originally built in wood and named Santo Antonio in the 16th Century. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524.

Willingdon Island
A manmade island named after Lord Willingdon a former British Viceroy to India. Cochin Harbour, Southern Naval Command, Best hotels in the city, Port Trust head quarters, major trading centers etc. are situated at Willingdon Island. Connected to the mainland by road-cum-railway Venduruthy Bridge

Things to do in Kochi

Walk on Marine Drive
Marine Drive is considered to be one of the most beautiful parts of Kochi city. The marine walk is the main hangout for the local populace as the view of the backwaters and the harbour from here is excellent.

Watch Kathakali
Ernakulam has a permanent Kathakali theatre. Every evening the Kathakali performance will be performed irrestpective of number of audience.

Visit Fort Kochi
Old European settlement area. Important are Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Santa Cruz Basilica, St.Francis Church and Chinese fishing nets.

Taste Kerala Cuisine
Ernakulam has lots of traditional Kerala cuisine restaurants serving exotic sea foods and other non vegetarian foods. Do not miss it.

Shopping at Kochi
Shopping malls and traditional shopping areas offer Spices, artifacts, souvenirs, Sari and Kerala handlooms.

Wonderla Water Theme Park
The first and best water theme park in Kerala lies on the outskirt of Ernakulam. The different riding options and European safety standards and hygiene keeps this park everybody's preferred vacation spot.

Visit Bhoothathankettu Dam
Scenic dam site with boating facilities is situated in a vast virgin forest. It is a popular picnic sport with Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary near by. 50 km north east of Ernakulam town.

Kodanad Elephant Training
One of the largest elephant capturing centers of South India. In 1977 the elephant capturing came to an end, but the elephant kraal and training centre are still there intact. 45 km to the north east of Cochin city and 12 kms to the east of Perumbavoor town.

Kottayil Kovilakam
Kottayil Kovilakam at Chennamangalam, which was the seat of Kshatriya chieftains of Villarvattom is situated near the ancient Kunnathali temple. Chennamangalam is an important center of handloom weaving and coir manufacturing. 42 kms from ernakulam.

Malayattoor
A place of prayer and pilgrimage; made rich by the foot steps of St. Thomas the Apostle, who sowed the seeds of Christianity in this part of the world. 47 kms from Ernakulam.

Gaet wet on Cherai Beach
Cherai Beach offers a unique combination of sea and backwaters rimmed by lush green coconut palms. 25 kms from Kochi.

How to reach Kochi

Nearest bus stations: Kaloor private and KSRTC bus stand in the town itself.
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam Town & Junction, in the town itself.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 30 km away