Cochin
City Information
Cochin or Kochi is an all time favourite
place for tourists from all over the world.
Known as commercial capital of Kerala, Kochi
is also offers forts, palaces, beaches, backwaters,
old churches, snakes boat races, Kathakali,
and museums etc. Kochi is basically a collection
of islands and narrow peninsulas which makes
it more attractive for nature lovers.
Cochin is sometimes referred to as the 'Queen
of the Arabian Sea'. Cochin proudly boasts
a rich cultural heritage, but is one of the
most fast paced and modern cities in India.
It is also one of the finest natural harbours
of the world and a major Indian port. Cochin
was once an insignificant fishing village.
When the backwaters of the Arabian Sea and
the streams descending from the Ghats caused
the separation of this village from the mainland
and landlocked the harbour, it became one
of the safest ports on India's southwestern
coast. The port assumed a new strategic importance
and began to enjoy commercial prosperity.
When the Portuguese penetrated the Indian
Ocean in the late 15th century, they arrived
at India's southwestern coast. Navigator Pedro
Alvares Cabral founded the first European
settlement on Indian soil in 1500. Vasco da
Gama, discoverer of the sea route to India,
established the first Portuguese factory (trading
station) in 1502, and the Portuguese viceroy
Alfonso de Albuquerque built the first European
fort in India in 1503. The city remained a
Portuguese possession until the Dutch conquered
it in 1663. Much Portuguese architecture still
exists in the city..
Main
Sightseeing of Cochin
Fort Kochi : Fort Kochi
has probably the best preserved history
of the colonial times. Its culture and architectural
styles used in its various Churches, Bungalows
and Forts reflect the bygone era. The best
way to see Fort Kochi is either walking
or cycling.
The Chinese Fishing Nets : These
huge cantilevered fishing nets along the
backwaters are the legacy of the traders
from the court of Kublai Khan. Built of
teakwood and bamboo poles, they are fascinating
to see. Adjacent to the fishing nets is
the Vasco Da Gama Square, a narrow walkway
with little stalls that serve fresh seafood
and tender coconuts.
St. Francis Church : This
Protestant church was originally built by
the Portuguese in 1510 A.D. It is considered
to be India's oldest European church. Today
it is governed by the Church of South India
(CSI). Vasco Da Gama was buried here before
his remains were taken back to Portugal
14 years later.
Vasco House : Located
on Rose Street, Vasco House is one of the
oldest Portuguese houses in Fort Kochi and
is believed to have been the residence of
Vasco Da Gama. Vasco House sports the typical
European glass paned windows and verandahs,
characteristic of the times.
VOC Gate : A large wooden
gate with the initials VOC engraved on it,
the VOC Gate is a little way off from Vasco
House, facing the Parade Ground. The initials
correspond to the monogram of the once powerful
Dutch East India Company, which had its
office here for almost 150 years.
Santa Cruz Cathedral :
Built by the Portuguese in around the 16th
century, this Roman Catholic church is famous
for the beautiful paintings on its ceiling.
It was demolished by the British when they
took over 1795. Until a new building was
commissioned in 1887, there was no church
on the site for almost a 100 years. The
Santa Cruz church was declared a Basilica
by Pope John Paul II in 1984.
Cherai Beach : The lovely
Cherai beach, situated in Vypeen, is just
a 15 minute ferry ride from Fort-Kochi.
Besides the sea, sand and the sun, a typical
Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut
groves nearby completes the idyllic picture
that the beach paints.
Dutch Palace : Also known
as the Mattancherry Palace, it was built
by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja
in 1555 A.D. A fine blend of Indo-European
architecture, it acquired the present name
after it was renovated by the Dutch in 1663.
In the center of the building is the hall
where the Cochin Rajas held their coronations.
This central courtyard also enshrines the
deity of the royal family. Adjacent rooms
contain 17th and 18th century murals illustrating
scenes from Indian epics like the Ramayana
and Mahabharata. There are two temples on
either side of the main palace, dedicated
to Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva.
Jewish Synagogue : Situated
close to the Mattancherry boat jetty, the
Synagogue and the ancient Jew town built
in 1568 A.D. is of great historical importance.
The most distinctive features are its white
willow-pattern tiles of which no two are
alike. They are believed to have been presented
by a merchant in 1763 A.D. You will find
great scrolls of the Old Testament and the
copper plates in which the grants of privilege
made by the Cochin rulers were recorded.
There are also numerous finely wrought gold
and silver coins, gifted to the Synagogue
by various patrons. Colourful Belgian chandeliers
add to the beauty of the Synagogue. Instances
from Jewish history and the hardships the
Jews underwent are depicted through paintings
Go to Top
Excursions
from Cochin
Cherai Beach : Situated at
about 21 km from the city and bordering Vypeen
Island, the beautiful Cherai Beach is an ideal
place for swimming. One can occasionally see
dolphins here. A typical Kerala village with
paddy fields and coconut groves nearby is
an added attraction here.
Chennamanagalam : An
important centre of handloom weaving and coir
manufacturing, Chennamangalam was one of the
chief centres of the Jewish Colony and the
seat of Paliath Achan, the hereditary prime
minister of the erstwhile state of Cochin
from 1632 to 1809. The famous Vaipinkotta
Seminary, built in the 16th century by the
Portuguese, used to stand in the vicinity
of the Jewish Colony. An old Syrian Catholic
Church established in 1201 now stands near
the ruins of the seminary.
Kalady : Located 45 km
from Cochin on the banks of river Periyar
is Kalady, the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya.
Shankaracharya was a great Indian philosopher
who lived in the 8th century AD. Kalady has
two shrines made in memory of Shankaracharya:
one dedicated to him as Dakshina Moorthi and
the other to Goddess Sharada.
Kanjiramattom Mosque : Around
30 kms from Cochin at Kanjiramattom lies a
mosque believed to have been erected over
the mortal remains of Sheikh Parid. The great
Muslim saint, Bavar is supposed to have prayed
here and attained eternal bliss. Thousands
of devotees throng this place during the Kodikuthu
festival which takes place in December-January.
Pallipuram Fort : Situated
in the northern extremity of the Vypeen Island
and built by the Portuguese in 1503, Pallippuram
fort is one of the oldest existing European
monuments in India. The fort was captured
by the Dutch in 1661 and subsequently sold
by them to the State of Travancore in 1789.
The Catholic Church at Pallipuram is an important
pilgrim centre of the Christians.
Trichur : Located in the
central part of the state, Trichur is also
referred to as the cultural capital of Kerala.
The city and the area around it have a number
of museums, art schools, and institutes, which
are dedicated to preserving and promoting
the rich cultural traditions of Kerala. One
of the most important landmarks of this city
is the Vadakkunathan Temple, located on a
raised hillock in the centre of the city.
The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is an
important pilgrim centre in Kerala.
How
to reach Cochin ?
By Air : Cochin / Kochi is
connected with all major cities in India by
domestic flights.
By Rail : Kochi and Ernakulam
are connected to the rest of India by an extensive
network of rails. There are three important
railway stations here namely Cochin Harbour
Terminus, Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam
Town .
By Road : Kochi is well
connected with major cities through National
Highways(NH). Private and public transport
services are available to/from all major cities
of South India from Kochi.
By Sea : Kochi has a magnificent
all weather natural port. Regular boat service
to places like Kottayam and Alleppey are available
through the scenic backwaters of Kerala.
