|
KOCHI
| FACTS & FIGURES |
| District Area |
2408Sq Km |
| District Population |
27,97,779 |
| Altitude |
Sea Level |
| Temperature |
Max.35°C,Min.20°c |
| Rainfall |
(Annual)254cm |
| Clothing |
Tropical. |
| Tourist Season |
September to May |
INTRODUCTION
The commercial capital of Kerala and the most cosmopolitan
of the State's cities, Cochin has long been eulogised in tourist
literature as the' Queen of the Arabian Sea'. It has a fascinating
blend of Cultures. From time immemorial,traders and travellers
frequented the place. One of the finest natural harbours in the
world is located here.
Most of the city's commercial centres and shops
are located in the mainland,the town called Ernakulam which also
lends its name to the district.
The Chinese fishing nets swaying in the breeze over
the backwaters,the Jewish synagogue, Dutch Palace, Portuguese
architecture and British influence all blend harmoniously with
the basic thread of kerala's rich heritage.
ACCESS
Air-Cochin international airport is at Nedumbassery
(33km North East of Ernakulam City).There are direct services
to Delhi ,Bombay, Madras,Goa ,Banglore,Thiruvananthapuram and
Gulf countries.
Rail-Kochi is connected by
rail with many important cities.
Road-kochi is connected by
road with several Tourist centres in India.
Sea-Kochi harbour-periodical
service to Lakshadweep Island.
Ferry(Boat jetty)- The main
Ferry station is located one kilometre away from Ernakulam south
railway station. From here boats are available to all islands.
TOURISTS PLACES AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Jewish Synagogue,Mattancherry
Built in 1568 AD, the great scrolls
of the old testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege
made by Cochin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese handpainted
tiles are of interest . Two hundred years old, no two tiles are
alike. There are also several finely wrought gold and silvercrowns
gifted to the synagogue by various patroans.
Mattancherry Palace(Dutch Palace)
 Built
by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555 AD,it
acquired the present name after 1663, when the Dutch carried out
some extensions and repairs in the Palace. In the centre of the
building is the coronations Hall where the Cochin Raja's held their
coronations. Today, it is portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas.
Adjacent rooms contain 17th century murals depicting scenes from
the Indianepic the Ramayana.This church was built by Portuguese
and elevated to cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. The British demolished
Dom Gomez Ferreira commissioned a new building in the same site
in 1984 the church was proclaimed a Basilica by Pope Joh Paul II.
Vasco house
Built during the 16th century, the
Vasco House is believed to have been the residence of Vasco- Da
Gama. It is in fort of Kochi and is one of the oldest Portuguese
constructions.
St.Franci's Church, Fort Cochin
This Protestant Church was built
originally by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and it is believed to be
the first church built by the Europeans in India. Vasco-Da-Gama
was buried here. Fourteen years later , his mortal remains were
taken to Portugal.
Willingdon Island
 Another
of Cochin's famous islands is Willingdon Island named after Lord
Willingdon, the British Viceroy of India . It is a man made island
created from the material dredged while deepening the Cochin Port
Situated between Ernakulam and Mattancherry and separted by the
backwaters,Willingdon Island is an important part of Cochin. It
sites some of the city's best hotels (Casino Hotel ,Taj Malabar
& Trident)as well as the Government Of India tourist office,
the Southern Naval Command head Quarters, the Cochin port trust,
and the customs house. Also on the island are the offices of several
major trading and industrial houses as well as the Cochin chamber
of commerce and Industry.
Chinese Fishing Nets
The entrance to the Cochin harbour is dotted by
the Chinese Fishing Nets called Cheena vala in Malayalam. There
are large nets which hang from bamboo or teak posts and are still
used by local fishermen in fort Cochin to catch fish attracted
by the light suspended above the net. Silhouetted against the
sunset, they present a spectacular sight of Cochin's waterfront.
Distances:
| |
Trivandrum |
Madhurai |
Alleppey |
Kumaracom |
Kollam |
Calicut |
periyar |
Ooty |
| Cochin |
226
km |
234
km |
56
km |
56
km |
66 km |
188
km |
200
km |
310
km |
|
State
Express