Location
Ernakulam, Kerala
Known for
Chinese fishing nets and backwaters.
Museums
Hill Palace Museum, Thripunithra, Pareekshith Thampuran Museum.
Climate
Tropical
Best time to visit
September to May
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About Cochin
With its wealth of historical associations, and its magnificent setting on
a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, Cochin is one of the most
fascinating cities of coastal South India. It is a city with indelible marks
of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Jewish traditions. Of Special mention
is the older parts of the Fort Cochin area. It more or less exists as it
used to be a 1000-year behind our times. This part of the city reflects an
unusual blend of medieval Portugal, Dutch and English country life grafted
on to the tropical Malabar coast. The 16th century Mattancherry Palace, also
known as the Dutch Palace is a fascinating fort with elegant buildings and
interesting collections from the Royal traditions of the region. The unique
feature of Cochin is the unexpected and isolated Jewish community, whose
origins date back to AD 52.
They are self-contained and have there own Synagogue. The area around the
Synagogue, known as 'Jew Town' is one of the main centres of spice trade.
Scores of small firms huddle together in old dilapidated buildings and the
air is filled with the aroma of ginger, cardamom, cumin, turmeric and
cloves. The area is very busy.
Getting There
Air : Kochi is connected by excellent air network to all major
cities in India.
Rail : Kochi has three main railway stations, namely, Ernakulam
Junction, Ernakulam Town and Harbour Terminus on Willingdon Island.
Road : Kochi (Cochin), an important commercial centre of the South
India is very well serviced by a network of national and state highways,
connecting it to all major centers of the area.
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Major Attractions in Cochin (Kochi)
Mattancherry Palace ( Dutch Palace) : This Palace was built by the
Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi
(Cochin). It was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. On display here are
beautiful Murals depicting scenes from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata
and some of the puranic Hindu legends.
Santa Cruz Basilica : This monumental church dates back to 1558 and
has beautiful paintings on the ceiling.
St. Francis Church : This is India's oldest European Church, built
in 1503 by Portuguese Francisan Friars. Vasco da Gama's remains were buried
here in 1524 and later moved to Lisbon, Portugal but his tombstone still
remains.
Cherai Beach : This is a lovely beach bordering Vypeen Island, ideal
for swimming and Dolphins watching. A typical Kerala village with paddy
fields and coconut groves nearby is an added attraction of this beach.
Hill Palace Museum, Thripunithra : 10 km from Kochi, Hill Palace,
the official residence of the Kochi royal family, was built in 1865 AD. A
full-fledged ethno-archaeological museum and Kerala's very first heritage
museum is one of the main attractions. Displayed inside the thirteen
galleries are oil paintings, 19th century paintings, Murals, sculpture in
stone and plaster of paris, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins belonging to
the Kochi royal family.
Pareekshith Thampuran Museum : This sprawling, traditional Kerala
style building previously called the Durbar Hall, houses 19th century oil
paintings, a collection of old coins, sculptures and Mughal paintings.
