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One of the finest natural harbour on the Arabian Sea coast, Kochi likes to show herself off in the evenings. That is when the lights around the harbour and the seafront start twinkling and ferry you to an almost fairytale like atmosphere. The fairytale milieu suits Kochi impeccably since it is one of the most laid-back of Kerala cities. A city that despite being the commercial hub - handling spices, rubber, coir and fish products - is a self-assured juxtaposition of both the past and the present. Till recently, Kochi was Cochin, and only half as frenetic. It was a lagoon that made Kochi a cherished tourist destination as far back as the early 16th century and it is the same lagoon that makes Kochi one of the nation's busiest ports now. It was an eponymous flood that transformed Kochi's destiny by turning it into a natural harbour. Beside that, it also added gems of islands to the pendant of Ernakulam, thus gifting it an anodyne aroma of sea-air, an idiosyncratic charm of her own. With this beautiful necklace around her neck, this ancient port, eventually, came to be known as the Queen of Arabian Sea.
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Preface of The Glorious Harbour City
The city, Kochi, has moved so breezily over the chapters of history, that it didn't even puffed its pages. Once upon a time what you see today was little more than a fishing hamlet. The inescapable aroma of spices and sandalwood together with the strategic location on the shores of Arabian Sea, drew many Europeans - Portuguese, Dutch and later the British - here who over the course of several millennia, remodeled Kochi into a melting pot of different cultures; a prodigious blend of tradition and modernity. This is reflected in the buildings and structures all around the old quarters, making a stage where you can find history in every step.
How To Hunt The Hyped Attractions
The most important heritage sight-seeing is in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. You will need a couple of days of leisurely walks to take in this heritage quarter. Visit Fort Kochi, the single most important itinerary in Kochi's promotional kit and a précis for the city's mix of Portuguese, Arab, Dutch and British antecedents. Housing the first European township, Fort Kochi over the sands of time played the fascinating roles of a major military base, shipbuilding centre, a cultural hub, and a centre for Christianity, all in one.
Drive to Rampart Road, located towards south of Fosse street to reach the Portuguese-built five centuries old Santa Cruz Basilica. Its Gothic facade with soaring spires is imposing, but it is the interiors that are truly impressive.wander through the Princess Street, one of the oldest in Fort Kochi, and see the colossal mansions created in colonial style, standing solitary with their peeling pastel, bronze-stucco walls and flowerpot-laden windowsills. Catch the fresh aroma of the next-morning's loaves prepared in the bakery down the street.
Reveal The Magic of Golden Sands At Kochi Beach
A short walk from Princess Street will fetch you to the Vasco da Gama Square. Just before the beach, you can see huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, are found only in Kochi, outside China! It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here. Walk along the shores during dusk and dawn and you can see how the bamboo-and-teak contraption is lowered and the catch hauled in. Walk farther to reach the sun-kissed sands of Kochi Beach with a pretty lighthouse at one end of it. Recline on the white sands and watch ships proceeding towards Lakshadweep, until their black shadow blends with the horizon. Trace their last shadow and you will be looking at the Bolgatty Island, known for its palace of historical importance. The Bolgatty Palace Hotel - operated by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation - with its honeymoon cottages and small putting green, is irresistible to international yachtsmen and holiday-makers alike.
The Fragrance of The Jewish Community on The Streets of Kochi
Carving their own niche on the space of Kochi, the Jewish community has made the time stop here at the Jew Street. Today, with most of their former inhabitants living in Israel, the quondam residences of rabbis and traders are shuttered. But still their fretwork arches - often inscribed with a star of David - together with their once audacious blue and green facades, create an impressive sight. If you continue walking through the cobbled street, crossing several blocks en route, eventually you will come across the wrought-iron gates of the 400-year old Pardesi synagogue.
Said to be the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations, Pardesi literally means a "foreigner" in Hindi and accordingly, the Pardesi Synagogue literally means a synagogue of foreigners. Within the scientifically curved brass coloums and intricately carved teak ark, the Pardesi Synagogue houses the Jewish Scrolls of the Law, Belgian crystal chandeliers and Torah crowns of solid gold set with precious gems. One thing you can't overlook is the 45-ft clock tower with numerals in Hebrew, Latin, Malayalam and Arabic, depicted on its four faces.
Stuff Your Bags With Kochi Shopping
Kerala and Kochi have a lot to offer in shopping prospects befitting every pockets and needs. Look specially for cane, bamboo and jute handicrafts Kochi is known for. Visit Mattancherry and you can pick up quaint antique items, spices, coffee and tea besides the usual souvenir bric-a-brac. Don't forget to look for door jambs, old mirror frames, metal locks, and early 20th century ceremic and metal utensils. Fro spices, just follow your nose and watch out for the pushcarts and trucks bulging with bags of aromatic condiments being wheeled in and out of decorated godowns. For getting gold and silver jewellery, either pure or studded with precious/semi-precious stones, the main road running through the heart of Ernakulam should be the preffered destination. Interestingly, almost every swank jewellery saloonon MG Road faces a bank, which among other things also offer 'gold loans'!
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| SIGHT SEEING |
Chinese Fishing Nets: 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.
Fort Kochi beach: 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.
St. Francis Church: 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: 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: 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.
Parikshith Thampuram Museum: This Rajas of Cochin used to conduct their durbars in this impressive building in 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 now 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
Cherai Beach: 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.
Marine Drive: 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.
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| Cochin (Kerala) India |
| Climate |
| 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). |
| Geographic coordinates |
| 9°58′N 76°13′E |
| Altitude |
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