Cochin – Introduction:
In
Cochin or Kochi dawn is not often a thing of breathtaking beauty, but just a careless smear of tinted light where sea and sky unite. Daybreak is full of indeterminate promise. A slow lividness at the mist-obscured harbor mouth meets the swelling untamed surge of the ocean. Cargo-laden barges and vallams or country boats move, ponderously slow, over the sprawling vastness of the
Vembanad Kayal, Kerala’s largest lake that spreads full bosomed and silver gray in the sultry sun.
Kochi/ Cochin – Facts and Figures:
Area:
95 sq. km.
Population:
1.35 million (2001)
Location:
9° 58"N, 76° 17"E
Time Zone:
Indian Standard Time (IST) - UTC +5:30
Altitude:
Sea level
Rainfall:
350cm annually
Temperature:
20°C-35°C (68°F-95°F)
Seasons:
Monsoon season: June - September (heavy rains)
Mild winter: October - February (cool, dry with occassional rain)
Summer:March - May (hot and humid)
Languages:
State language: Malayalam
English is widely understood. Hindi and Tamil are used occasionally.
Religions: Being a city in a secular country, almost all major religions are represented including Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Jewism, Jainism and Buddhism.
Main Occupation:
Trading, fishing, heavy industry and information technology
Airport code:
IATA: COK, ICAO: VOCC
Telephone:
+91 484
Emergency numbers:
Police: 100, Fire: 101, Ambulance: 102.
Power supply:
230V, 50Hz
Socket types:
C, D and M
Currency:
Indian Rupee (INR), 1 Rupee = 100 paise.
Approximate rates:
$1 = Rs 45, £1 = Rs 85, €1 = Rs 58
Cochin – Location
Popularly referred to as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin is located on the west cost of India in the
beautiful state of Kerala. The city can be regarded as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala. The city extends from latitude 9°58' in the North to longitude 76°17' in the East.
Cochin is a seaside town just 10 degrees north of the equator. Hence, it is a moderately hot and humid place round the year. Heavy showers with thunder and lightning are experienced between June-September due to the south-west monsoon. The north-west monsoon brings light rainfall during October-December. December to February is comparatively cooler than the rest of the year. The average annual rainfaill is about 350cm, most of which is contributed by the south-west monsoon. During the summer, March-June, the temperature hits a usual high of 35°C (95°F) while the mild winter high is 25°C (77°F). The tempeature range is usually 20°C-35°C (68°F-95°F).
Current Weather:
Tere are Indian Airlines and Jet Airways direct services to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, Bangalore, and
Thiruvananthapuram from kochi.
kochi is connected by rail to most of the important cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.
Once you tour Kochi, you realize why this place is called Queen of the Arabian Sea. Kochi has a coastline that brims with beautiful beaches and the city also has a number of wonderful monuments some of them date back as far as 16th century.
Kochi, also known as Cochin is one of the largest ports in India. Kochi is not only packed with beautiful places but it has a cultural side as well, which is a delight to experience.
Chinese Fishing nets that dot the
coast in Kochi are a wonderful sight to look at. These fishing nets as the name suggest were introduced by the Chinese traders and present a wonderful photo op during sunset.
Tourism of Kerala provides complete information on
Kochi tours and tourism. There is no better way of touring Kochi than booking a tour package to Kochi that takes you close to different aspects of Kochi. A tour to Kochi is incomplete without experiencing the cultural delight of Kochi.
Kallaripatyu and Kathakali are two art forms that are a must for tourists visiting Kochi.
Tourism of Kerala offers various tour packages to Kochi India. Please fill up the form given below to book a tour package to Kochi.
Though Cochin had been an important roadstead in days gone by, it became a natural harbor only when nature decreed it so. Muziris (present-day Kodungalloor on the mouth of the Periyar River), 40 km north of Cochin, was the center of trade with ancient Rome in the products like pepper and pearls, fine silks, cotton, muslin, honey, oil, betel, tortoise shell, cinnamon leaf, black pepper, ginger grass, and indigo.
The formation of Cochin harbor has a violent story of which nature herself was the main character. The harbor was formed in a.d. 1341, when a great flood in the Periyar River led to an outlet in the sea. The floods had meanwhile silted up the mouth of the Muziris harbor and this rich ancient port was banished to the footnotes of history. Meanwhile, the merchants of Muziris shifted to Cochin.
For centuries, Cochin was the battleground of European powers for the mastery of the lucrative trade of the Indian west coast. The fortunes of political powers in Cochin were dictated by pepper. The Portuguese were the first to come in. Two years later, the adventurous mariner, the legendary Vasco da Gama himself landed in Cochin. The Portuguese erected a fort for the protection of their factory. Fort Manuel, or Manuel Kotta, named after the King of Portugal, was the first fortress constructed by the Europeans in India.
To the Portuguese must go the credit for the extensive scientific cultivation of coconut, ginger, and pepper, backbone of Kerala’s economy today. Tobacco, cashew nut, and fruit cultivation were also introduced. The pineapple, for instance, is still called prithichakka in Malayalam, meaning Portuguese jackfruit. They were also responsible for today’s burgeoning trade in coir.
The Dutch, full of energy and zeal, were next to enter the scene and succeeded in throwing out the Portuguese very soon. Helped by a laissez-faire policy and a self-stipulated dictum of “at least a 100% profit,” Cochin saw a great resurgence of trade.
But the Dutch never endured too, and it was the British who came in next to play out their role. A great milestone was the direct export of pepper to England in 1636 and once again, power flowed from pepper.
For a hundred years and more, from 1795, Cochin received a gracious patronage of the British. They tried their best to develop the harbor at Cochin, the gateway of South India, but for long dismissed as a dream beyond the realm of hope for a rock-like barrier of sand blacked the approach to the port from the sea. No dredging proposition since the days of the Suez Canal project has aroused so much technical interest as the opening up of the Cochin Harbor.
It fell to the lot of an Admiralty Engineer Sir Robert Bristow to envision this “marvel of engineering”. It was not an easy task for Bristow to construct a port in these serendipitous surroundings.
Cochin was declared a major port in 1936. With its opening, there was a complete reorientation of shipping and commercial activities on the Malabar Coast. With its year-round shipping facilities, it is the busiest port south of Bombay, lying as it does on the direct route to Australia and the Far East from Europe and serving the vast southern hinterland of industrial areas and plantations. It is a passenger port for the United Kingdom and America in South India. Moreover, it is one of the few ports of the world with all the three main forms of transport—land, sea, and air, centered in the same place.
Itineraries:
Here is a list of things you could do, in no particular order, depending on your interests and budget.
2. Swim at Cherai beach and take in the fishing villages, paddy fields and coconut groves and sip the juice of a tender coconut.
4. Shop for curios, handicraft and clothes along MG Road, Broadway or Jew Town (Mattancherry).
5. View a
Kathakali performance.
6. Take a course of relaxing Ayurvedic massage at one of the leading Ayurvedic hospitals or your hotel, if such a service is available
7. Take a brief boat-ride along the scenic backwaters of Cochin. For extended period, hire a kettuvallom(houseboat) and spend a few nights on board slowly travelling up the tranquil backwaters and having freshly cooked meals prepared with freshly caught fish.
8. Visit some of the temples, churches, or mosques that form an indelible part of many Kochiites life.
9. Spend a few days in the hill resorts at Thekkady, Munnar or stay in a tree house, up north in Wayanad district.
10. Wildlife/bird spotting at Mangalavanam, Kodanad, Kumarakom, Thattekad or Thekkady.
11. Children and adults alike might like a visit to South India's largest amusement park - Veega Land.
There are a number of places to be visited in and around kochi.
While in kochi, you must visit the Fort kochi that reveals the European heritage of kochi. Then there is the Santa Cruz Basilica that happens to be a landmark of kochi and a
major tourist attraction of Kochi / Cochin.Further there is the St. Francis Church, of the 16th century, in Kochi / Cochin. It is noteworthy that the St. Francis church is the oldest existing European church not only in kochi, but also in India. Fort kochi also uses the famous Chinese nets, the best possible bet for backwater fishing.
While staying in kochi, you may move to other parts of
Ernakulam, Vypeen and Gundu islands, near Kochi.
Excursions from Kochi:
Kochi also offers great excursion options. For the oil paintings, old coins, sculptures, Mughal paintings, and temple models the visit to the Parishath Thampuram Museum near kochi is ideal. For the collections of the kochi and Travancore royal families you may move to Thripunithura from kochi. Edapally, near kochi has the
Museum of Kerala History. Parur, close to kochi, encapsulates the cultural and religious medley of this region.
Shopping in kochi:
There are a lot of handicraft and antique emporia in Kochi / Cochin. One can also buy and see the works of contemporary artists from different art galleries situated around Kochi.
Onam is arguably the most festive period for the people of Kerala as a whole. The exact dates of the festive period vary depending on the Malayalam lunar calendar, but invariably its a 10-day period between mid-August and mid-September. This marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a period of exuberance and cheerfulness. Shopping, traditional food, trade fairs and temple festivals add to the colour of the celebratory mood. Legend has it that Onam marks the period when the good-hearted and generous asura(demon) king Mahabali visits his subjects after he was pushed underground by Vamana (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu). The period is marked by colourful and intricate pookalams (floral carpets) laid out to greet the king.
The other major festivals and events celebrated in Cochin include Christmas (December 25), Vishu (April 14), Mahasivarathri (February/March), Bakrid (January), Idul Fitr (October), Vallamkali (or snake boat race) at Alapuzha (Alleppey), Aranmula, Ambalapuzha and Cochin (July/August).
In order to make the travel tour to kochi even more joyful we at Tourism of Kerala offer just the right kind of accommodation for you and your family or friends in kochi. We can customize the kochi tour package and offer the hotel accommodation in kochi.
The various hotels packages for kochi offer the best of facilities. The well-furnished rooms of Kochi hotels place most of the comforts at your feet. Enjoy the luxuries of life on your stay at the kochi hotel. Take your pick from a range of luxury and budget hotels in kochi. We will provide all the travel services like air ticketing for kochi, hotel booking for kochi, car rental for kochi et al to make your holiday at kochi unforgettable. Get ready for the kaleidoscopic experience at kochi.
The chinese fishing nets (Cheenavala) are distinctly unique to Cochin. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here. Oddly, these nets are found only in Kochi, outside China! Many fishermen earn their livelihood by fishing using these massive nets. A whole stretch of the coast along Fort Kochi and Vypeen are dotted with these nets.
A stroll along the beach, particularly at sunset with the chinese fishing nets and sailing ships in the background, is a memorable experience. Many European style bungalows can be seen along the shoreline. The coastal stretch has loads of small stalls, which make on demand mouth-watering traditional cuisines using freshly caught fish.
It is the oldest church built by Europeans in India. On his 3rd visit to
Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese trader who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. He was buried in the St. Francis Church. Later his remains were taken back to Portugal. In spite of that, his burial spot inside the church has been clearly marked out.
Vasco house, located on Rose Street, is believed to be one of the oldest Portuguese houses in India. Vasco da Gama is believed to have lived here. This house features European glass paned windows and verandahs.
Santa Cruz Basilica, Fort Kochi:
The original church, situated in Fort Kochi, was built by the Portuguese in 1505 and named as a cathedral in 1558. The British colonists destroyed the cathedral in 1795. The current structure was built in 1905 and raised to the status of a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984.
Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town, Mattancherry:
The synagogue, built in 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. It is located near the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry.
Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), Mattancherry
The Dutch Palace was originally built by the Portuguese. Later, in 17th century, the Dutch modified it and presented it to the Raja of Kochi. Coronation of many Rajas of Kochi were held here. The palace has a fine collection of mural paintings depicting scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana. The palace is located in Mattancherry.
Bolghatty Palace, Bolghatty Island:
This Dutch palace is situated on Bolghatty island which is just a short boat ride away from the mainland. The palace has been converted to a hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). The island has a tiny golf course and the panoramic views of the port and the harbour, makes it an attractive picnic spot. Frequent boat service is available from the mainland.
Hill Palace, Tripunithura:
Built in the 19th century by the Raja of Kochi, this palace served as the seat of the Raja of the Kochi province. The palace has been converted into a museum displaying a fine collection of articles showing the wealth and splendour of the Rajas of Kochi, including the thone and the crown. The musuem also houses a large collection of archaeological findings. Hill Palace is located 16km east of Cochin in Tripunithura, a satellite town of Cochin.
Palliport (Pallipuram) Fort:
It is the oldest surviving European fort in India, built by the Portuguese in 1503. Its situated in Pallipuram on Vypeen island.
Mangalavanam is a protected bird sanctuary situated right in the heart of Kochi city. It is the home of many exotic and rare varieties of migratory and resident birds. Mangalavanam is located right next to the High Court of Kerala.
The museum has on display spectacular audio-visual exhibits depicting the history and culture of Kerala along with many life size statues of many famous personalities and several paintings depicting Kerala history.
Parikshith Thampuran Museum:
This Rajas of Cochin used to conduct their durbars in this impressive building located within the Durbar Hall grounds. It was later converted to a museum which has a treasure trove of archaeological findings and relics including old coins, sculptures, oil paintings and murals. The building has been taken over by the
Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy and now houses the Gallery of Contemporary Art. All the exhibits of the museum have been moved to the Hill Palace museum.
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 is South India's largest amusement park situated 14kms from Cochin. The park includes a range of attractions including mini castles, water theme park, ferris wheel, rides, slides, shows and fountains. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the fun and activities.
A stroll along the long tree-lined coastal pathway that lines the backwater is well worth the time spent, especially late afternoon or dusk. The bustling backwaters, dotted with fishing boats, speedboats, ships, tankers and passenger boats, can be observed from this walkway that lines the coast.
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 Sourthern 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.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor:
The Nehru stadium in Kaloor, has a seating capacity of 60,000 in multiple tiers. It is the
fourth largest stadium in India and the largest in Kerala. The ground is lit by a set of unique convex pylon floodlights that arch over the ground. The stadium is home to both the Kerala Ranji cricket team as well as FC Kochi football team.
Things to do
Boat ride:
The backwaters separating
Ernakulam from Fort Kochi and Mattanchery are dotted with many small and mid-sized islands. A boat ride through the backwaters is an unforgettable experience.
See India Foundation (Kalathiparambil Road, near the Ernakulam Junction railway station), The Cochin Cultural Centre (Manikath Road, behind Medical Trust Hospital) and Art Kerala (Kannanthodathu Lane, near Valanjambalam Temple) organises Kathakali performances every evening. Kathakali is a traditional danceform of Kerala and the impressive facial expressions, hand gestures and dance moves will leave one spellbound.
Situated 63 kms south of Cochin along the coast, Alleppey is connected to Kochi by rail and road. It is called the Venice of the East due to the extensive canal network here. Every year the famous snake boat race is held here.
Cheruthuruthy is about 110 kms away from Kochi. It is the base of the Kerala Kalamandalam-the world famous art and dance academy where training in various traditional forms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam etc are imparted.
Situated 48 kms north-east of Kochi, on the banks of river Periyar (Poorna). Kalady is the birthplace of Sri Adi Sankaracharya, the monotheist Hindu philosopher. He lived in the 8th century AD and died at the early age of 32 years. He traveled throughout India, on foot, debating with scholars and spreading his theory of Advaita or monotheism. The Adi Sankara shrine and the 8-storey painted Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthambam (see picture) are a must-see for any visitor here.
Kodanad is 30 kms north-east of Kochi situated on the lower ranges of the Western Ghats on the banks of river Periyar. The wildlife reserve is famous for the elephants and the largest elephant training centre is situated here. The reserve also features a mini zoo. Kodanad is close to St. Thomas church in Malayatoor.
Kodungalloor is 35 kms north of Kochi. The world famous port here was destroyed by a flood which led to the formation of Kochi harbour. St. Thomas, the apostle, is believed to have landed here in 52 AD. Cheraman mosque, the first mosque in India, built in the form of a Hindu temple, is situated here.
About 140 kms on NH49, Munnar is a hill resort ideal for a relaxing holiday away from the tropical lowlands. The tea gardens and cardamom plantations give Munnar a beautiful look. Anai Mudi, the highest peak in South India is in these hills. The
Munnar - Kodaikanal (another hill resort) road is believed to be the steepest road in South-East Asia.
Elephants, bisons, antelopes, samburs, monkeys and bears can be found in their natural habitat in this world famous wild life sanctuary, situated 190kms east of Cochin. A boat ride through the man-made lake in the heart of the sanctuary provides a unique opportunity to observe these animals in their natural surroundings.
Thattekad bird sanctuary is located 60kms east of Cochin near Kothamangalam. Thattekad is located on the northern bank of river Periyar is a tropical evergreen forest in the foothills of the Wester Ghats. Spread over 25 sq kms, this bird sanctuary was once regarded as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India. In spite of recent developments and deforestation, this sanctuary is still home to a large number of rare and exotic bird species.
Lakshadweep (meaning thousand islands), a haven of unspoiled natural beauty, lies 220-440kms off the coast of Kochi. Lakshadweep is an archipelago consisting of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks. Only 10 islands are inhabited while 17 are uninhabited islands with a total geographical area of 32 sq. kms. Lakshadweep is connected to the mainland by air and sea links to Cochin. The sea route takes around 18-20 hours. Miles and miles of sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut groves will leave anyone mesmerised.
The Sree Krishna temple here is very famous attracting close to ten million pilgrims every year. This is regarded as the first Hindu temple to open its gates to all Hindus, irrespective of caste. Only Hindus are permitted to enter the temple.
The elephant sanctuary, the only one of its kind in the world, 3kms north of Guruvayoor is home to around 50 elephants. The sanctuary is at Punnathur Kotta, which used to be the palace of the Punnathur rajas (kings).
The synagogue, built in 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. It is located near the Dutch Palace.
Thrissur is regarded as the cultural capital of Kerala. The Thrissur pooram is very popular for its elephant procession and fireworks display at the famous Vadakkunatha (Lord Shiva) Temple.
It is the oldest church built by Europeans in India. On his 3rd visit to
Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese trader who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. He was buried in the St. Francis Church. Later his remains were taken back to Portugal. In spite of that, his burial spot inside the church has been clearly marked out.
The original church, situated in Fort Kochi, was built by the Portuguese in 1505 and named as a cathedral in 1558. The British colonists destroyed the cathedral in 1795. The current structure was built in 1905 and raised to the status of a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984.
The famous St. Thomas church is situated at Malayattoor near Kalady. Malayattoor means the meeting place of land, mountain and river. Set in the scenic western ghats at an elevation of 1250m above sea level, the journey to the church is truly heavenly. It is believed that the footprints seen on a rock near the church belongs to St. Thomas the Apostle, who came here in 52 AD as a missionary setting up many churches in Kerala. The present day church was built in 900 AD.
The Cheraman Juma Masjid is believed to be the first mosque in India, built around 629 AD. The mosque is unique because it was baseed on traditional Hindu art and architecture and resembles a temple.
The Dharmanath Jain temple at Mattancherry is over 100 years old and will soon attain the status of a Thirath, one of the holy places for the Jain community.
This is the only gurdwara in Kerala, since Cochin has the highest number of Sikhs in the state. The gurdwara is located close to the south end of MG Road. The first gurdwara in Cochin was built in 1955. The gurdwara was relocated in 1975 and the original foundation stone was moved as well. Unlike most gurudwaras this one has only one entrance due to space limitations.
The Shiva temple is located in the heart of Cochin near the Durbar Hall grounds. This temple is unique is the fact that the shiva linga points seawards, towards the west.
The Thrikkakara temple, located 10 kms north-east of Kochi, is considered to be the seat of famous 10 days Onam celebrations in Kerala. Thrikkakara is considered to be capital of the good asura (demon) King Mahabali, whose rule was prematurely stopped by Lord Vishnu in the diguise as a Brahmin boy, when the Hindu gods became jealous of the growing power of the generous and kind-hearted king. The Vishnu temple here is the only one of its kind to have Vamana (one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu) as the deity.
Kalady, 48 kms north-east of Cochin, is the birth place of one of India's foremost philosopher's Adi Sankaracharya who preached advaita or monotheism. The Adi Sankara shrine is situated right on the banks of river Periyar (poorna). The temple also encloses the samadhi of Sankaracharya's mother Aryamba. The location on the bank of the river where the young Sankara was held by a crocodile can be seen nearby. The Ramakrishna Advaita ashrama adjoining the Sri Krishna temple nearby has a beautiful shrine modelled on the Sri Ramakrihna temple at Belur Math. The 8-storey Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthambam is a monument that tells Sankaracharya's story in paintings on the wall as one ascends the structure along a spiral staiway. The view from the top is breathtaking.
Sabarimala, 210kms south-east of Kochi, is home to arguably the holiest
Hindu temple in Kerala, receiving millions of pilgrims from all over India and abroad every year. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The temple is located in the Western Ghats at an elevation of 1250m. The temple is open only during certain periods of the year - 41 days for Mandalapooja Nov 15 - Dec 26, Makaravilakku Jan 15, Vishu Apr 14 and the first day of every Malayalam calendar month. The journey to the summit where the temple is located involves a 5km trek, which is traditionally done barefoot.
Chottanikkara temple located 20 kms east of Cochin, is dedicated to Bhagawati - the mother Goddess. The deity is 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.
Chennamangalam, situated 40kms north of Cochin near North Paravur, is home to a synagogue that is based on traditional Kerala architecture. The major attractions of this synagogue are the intricate artwork and the majestic altar. This 175 year old synagogue was recently renovated to its old glory. The oldes Hebrew inscription in India, dated 1269, can be found on a tombstone near the synagogue. Chennamangalam is also a village that splendidly displays religious tolerance with a church, synagogue, temple and mosque located close to each other.
Located 50kms north-east of Kochi, near Perumbavoor, this temple is carved out of a single rocked reached by climbing 120 steps. The Hindu godess Durga is the main deity, while Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are also worshipped. The interesting feature of this temple is its also a Jain temple with a statue of Mahavira.
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