ERNAKULAM / KOCHI

The commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala, Cochin has long been eulogized in tourist literature as “The Queen of the Arabian Sea”. It has a fascinating natural harbour in the world; this was once a major center for commerce and trade with the British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch etc. The Chinese fishing nets swaying in the breeze over the backwater, the Jewish synagogue, Dutch Palace, Portuguese architecture and British influence all blend harmoniously with the basic thread of Kerala’s rich heritage.

Places of Attraction

Mattanchery Palace: The palace was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1557, the palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch beautiful murals depicting scenes from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharatha are displayed. The palace also houses Dutch maps of old Kochi, royal palanquins, coronation robes of former Maharajas of Kochi as well as period furniture.

Bolghatty Island: This is the site of the Bolghatty palace built by the Dutch in 1744. Today it is a hotel run by the KTDC.

Wellingdon Island: Wellingdon Island after Lord Willingdon, a former British Viceroy of India. It is a man-made island surrounded by beautiful backwaters. The island is the site.

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

Parishith Thampuran and Museum: It is an archeological museum with collections of 19th century oil paintings, pre-historic monuments, old coins in a numismatic gallery, sculptures in stone and plaster of Paris, copies of mural paintings etc.

Bhoothathankettu: A picturesque haven situated in a vast virgin forest, this mythologically popular picnic spot lies close to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkadu. Trekking through the enchanting wilderness to the old Bhootathankettu holds promises of excitement to adventure lovers.

St.Francis Church: This is the first European church in India, which later became the model for building churches elsewhere in the country. Vasco-da-gama, who died in Kochi during his second visit to Kerala, was buried in the church in 1524. Later his mortal remains were taken back to his native land, Portugal.

Jewish Synagogue: This is the oldest synagogue in the common wealth and is famous for its Hebrew inscriptures on stone slabs, great scrolls of the Old Testament and ancient inscriptions on copper plates.

From times immemorial Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British, Portuguese, seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi and left their impression on the town. Modern Kochi/Ernakulam is thus a splendid mosaic of myroid influence