Rang7 Guides
Rang7 members have created & contributed 308 Destinations, 77 Festivals, 47 Monuments, 40 National Parks and 58 Other Guides. Go ahead and Explore now!
Kochi
[ Edit ] Overview
Formerly known as Cochin, Kochi in the Ernakulam district of Kerala is one of the leading ports in India. Kochi used to be a small fishing village but today the city has developed into a busy commercial port and has been aptly named “Queen of the Arabian Sea” and ‘Gateway to Kerala”.
The name Kochi comes from the Malayalam word “Koch azhi”, meaning ‘a small lagoon’. Kochi was the centre of the Indian spice trade for many centuries and became an important sea port during the colonial days as merchant ships who would take spices, coffee and wood from Cochin to the European markets.
[ Edit ] History
Kochi or Cochin, a princely state, was the first place in India for European Colonial settlement. The region was occupied by the Portuguese and later by the Dutch and the British. It was the first princely state to join the Indian Union, after India gained Independence in 1947.
Quick Facts
[ Edit ] State
[ Edit ] Location
Kochi in the Ernakulam district is located
[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit
Kochi is best visited between the months of October to March.
[ Edit ] Tourist Offices
[ Edit ] STD Code
0484
Sightseeing
[ Edit ] Bolghatty Palace
This Dutch palace built in 1744, on the Bolghatty Island, is a short boat ride away from the mainland; it offers panoramic views of the harbour and holds a large golf course. The palace was later taken over by the British.
[ Edit ] Cheraman Mosque
Believed to be the first mosque in India, the Cheraman Jama Masjid is unique for its traditional Hindu art and architecture resembling a temple.
[ Edit ] Dutch Palace, Mattancherry
Originally built by Portuguese, and later renovated by the Dutch, the palace was presented to the Raja of Kochi, Veera Kerala Varma, whose coronation was held here. Also called as the Mattancherry Palace, it has a collection of rural paintings, mainly depicting scenes from the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana.
[ Edit ] Hill palace, Tripunithura
The Hill Palace used to be the official residence of the royal family of Kochi. Today it has been converted into a museum showcasing the collections of the royal families of Travancore and Kochi. The palace is considered to be the largest archaeological museum in India. Tripunithura is 16 kilometers from Kochi, and is a satellite town of the city.
[ Edit ] Jewish Synagogue
Built in 1568 this synagogue is considered as one of the oldest synagogues in the Common Wealth countries. It contains giant scrolls of The Old Testament, and is decorated with Chinese Tiles and Belgian chandeliers.
[ Edit ] Kochi Fort Beach
The famous Chinese Fishing Nets or Cheenavalas, which the local fishermen still use, can be seen here. The fishing nets were brought to Kochi by the traders of the Chinese ruler, Kublai Khan. The large nets hang from teak and bamboo posts. The entire coast from Fort Kochi to Vypeen (one of the islands of Kochi) is dotted with these nets.
[ Edit ] Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
Situated next to the High Court of Kerala, this protected bird sanctuary is in the centre of the city and home to some of the most exotic varieties of migratory and resident birds.
[ Edit ] Museum of Kerala History, Edappall
Kerala’s history can be dated back to almost 200 years old and is narrated to visitors here in the form an audio-visual show. The Museum is divided in two main sections- Gallery of Paintings and Gallery of Sculptures. Edappally is 10 kilometers from Ernakulam.
[ Edit ] Pallipuram Fort
Built by the Portuguese in 1503, the Pallipuram fort is the oldest surviving European monuments in India. The Pallipuram fort situated is at the northern end of Vypeen Island at Pallipuram. There is a catholic church in Pallipuram which is a highly revered pilgrim site by the Christians.
[ Edit ] Pareekshith Thampuran Museum
This archaeological museum has paintings from the 19th century, pre historic monuments and a collection of old coins, and the Royal Families belongings. During the days of the Cochin Rajas this museum used to be the Durbar Hall, where guests were welcomed and official ceremonies were conducted.
[ Edit ] Santa Cruz Basilica
Built by the Portuguese in 1505, the cathedral was later destroyed by the British colonists in1795.The current basilica was built in 1905 and given the status of basilica in 1994 by Pope John Paul II.
[ Edit ] St Francis Church, Fort Cochin
Built by the Portuguese in the 16th Century, St. Francis Church is the oldest known church in India. On his 3rd visit to the state of Kerala, Vasco da Gama, fell ill and died. He was buried in the church grounds. Even though his remains were later taken back to Portugal, his burial site is still marked at the church.
[ Edit ] Things To Do
A forty minute boat ride from Vypeen Island, lined with coconut grooves and paddy fields, is Cherai Beach. The beach is great for swimming and relaxing on the beach.
Try some of the traditional Keralite ayurvedic massages to rejuvenate yourself. Or go to the mineral springs of Varkala, outside Kochi, to take a healing bath. The water here is said to have medicinal properties and helps in healing aches and pains.
Visit some of the many art galleries in Kochi.
Go to a Kathakali performance. Kathakali, wherein Katha meaning story and Kali meaning play, is generally performed at night by the actors, with vibrantly painted faces, so that they can be seen clearly in the dim light lamp. It is a unique art form and is typically to the state of Kerala.
[ Edit ] Vega land
An amusement Park, 14 km from Kochi, Vega Land is the largest of its kind in South India. The Park offers various rides and has shows to entertain both kids and adults.
[ Edit ] Willingdon Island
A man-made island, Willingdon Island was made by removing sand to deepen the backwaters for the Kochi Fort. The southern naval command and the Cochin Port are situated on the island.
Planning a Trip
Getting There
[ Edit ] Air
Kochi is an international airport and is well connected to all the major airports within and around the country.
[ Edit ] Rail
Kochi is connected to almost all cities by regular and express trains. Kochi has three main railway stations- Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Cochin Harbour Terminus at Wellingdon Island.
[ Edit ] Road
Kochi has a good network of national and state highways connecting it to all major cities in India.
[ Edit ] Getting Around
Ferry services between the mainland and islands are faster and also cheaper. Available at the Ernakulam Main Boat Jetty, these boat services are called Junkers.
Rent a car or private taxi to go around the city. Auto rickshaws are also very easily available.
[ Edit ] Other Information
Nightlife
There are a couple of bars in the 5 star hotels in Kochi. But the more exciting entertainment at night is the Kathakali performances. Tickets can generally be bought at the hotels. Kathakali is a traditional dance form which narrates stories from the epics in a dance form. Talented dancers with painted faces and very skilled facial expressions narrate the story with their beautiful gestures.
[ Edit ] Shopping
Spices of Kochi are famous for their taste and flavour. They include pepper, cardamom, cinnamon etc and can be picked up at Broadway.Handicrafts made from coir, brass, ivory, sandalwood etc and artifacts like metal art, rosewood chairs and tables that are intricately carved can be picked up from Jew Street and Fort Kochi. Jew Town has many antiques and handicraft stores, but one has to bargain to get a good price. Some other places to shop are Isidore Art palace, Kairali Handicrafts Emporium, Surabhi, Princess Street and M.G. Road where the main shopping malls of the city are located.
[ Edit ] Food
Kochi offers a great variety of vegetarian and non vegetarian food. Being close to the sea it has many sea foods restaurants where dishes like ‘meen vevichathu’ can be tried. As coconuts are also found in abundance in this part, it is commonly used in most of the food preparation. Try the local Kerala dishes of pachadi, kaalan or thoran.
[ARCHIVES ]
