Ernakulam Travel
ERNAKULAM - Queen of Arabian Sea
Kochi, the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala, has one of the
finest natural harbours in the world. Ancient mariners from Arabia,
China, Holland, Britain and Portugal have all left their mark on this
beautiful island city.
One of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian Sea coast, Kochi,
earlier known as Cochin has been a port of call for foreign traders from
early times. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings
and structures representing different regions of the world. A city of
peninsulas and islands, today it is Kerala's commercial hub.
Kerala's prime tourist destination, it spreads across islands and
promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and
Backwaters. Its main sections: modern Ernakulam in the east and the old
districts of Mattancherry and Fort Cochin on a peninsula in the west are
linked by a complex system of ferries.
Prime Attractions of Ernakulam (Kochi)
A Scenic island near the city of Ernakulam, Bolghatty
is famous for the Bolghatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 AD.
more..
Originally built by the Portuguese in the mid-16th
century, the Dutch Palace or Mattancherry Palace is located at
Mattancherry. It was presented to the Kochi Maharaja in 1555 AD and
later taken over by the Dutch who carried out repairs and extended it
further
more..
The oldest synagogue in India, it was built in 1586
AD by the prosperous Jewish community whose links with Kerala began in
Kodungalloor in northern Kerala.
more..
The
festival of Attachamayam is held on the Atham day of the Malayalam month
of Chingam (August/ September), at the historical town of Tripunithura,
near Kochi
more..
The Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls are located
between Neriamangalam and Adimali on the Kochi - Madurai highway. The
Cheeyappara Falls cascades down in seven steps.
more..
Chottanikkara temple, located near Ernakulam enshrines
Bhagawati - the mother Goddess, one of the most popular deities in
Kerala. Devi is worshipped along with Lord Vishnu.
more..
Cochin Carnival is a merry making feast observed
during the last week of every year in Fort Kochi in Kerala. The carnival
dates back to the Portuguese New Year revelry held here during the
colonial days.
more..
The feast at the ancient Roman Catholic Church of
Edapalli Perunnal is situated on the National Highway (NH 47) between
Ernakulam and Aluva.
more..
Indira Gandhi Boat Race is a grand fest on
the rolling backwaters of Kochi. Conducted in the last week of December,
it is a fitting finale to the Tourism Fair.
more..
The Jews of Kerala are believed to have migrated to
this place in the first century following the destruction of the second
temple of Jerusalem in 72 AD.
more..
The festival of 'Kodikuthu' is celebrated on the
14th of January each year, in Kanjiramattom Mosque, 25 kms from
Ernakulam.
more..
Kodungalloor, 50 kms north of Kochi, was the ancient
port town of Muziris or Crangannore. Goddess Bhagavathi is the presiding
deity of the ancient temple here. The Bharani Festival, which falls in
the Malayalam month of Meenam (March/ April) attracts the largest
congregation of 'Velichappadu' (Oracles), including women from different
parts of the State.
more..
The feast or the 'Perunnal' at the famous Catholic
Church at Malayatoor is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter, in the
months of March/April.
more..
Close to the St. Francis church, it is
Roman Catholic Church, which was also built by Portuguese. It has a
beautiful collection of paintings and a decorative ceiling, despite
having suffered severe damage when the British fought with the Dutch to
take control of Kochi.
more..
Built in 1503 by Portuguese Francisan Friars,
this is the India's oldest European church.
more..
Thalaserry fort, located at a distance of 22 kms from
Kannur constructed in 1708 AD was the military centre of the British.
more..
Chinese Fishing Nets : The elegant Chinese fishing nets that line
the northern shore of Fort Kochi add charm to exotic waterside view and are
probably the single most familiar photographic image of Kerala. Known in
Malayam as Cheenavala, the Chinese Fishing nets found in the
region are the only one of its kind in the country. Traders from the court
of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets in India in the year
1350 1450. They are the important trademark of the Cochin city. Built
of teak and bamboo, these nets are still used by the local fishermen to
catch the fish. The specialty about these nets is that, apart from China
these nets are only found in Kochi.
Mattanchery Palace : Mattancherry Palace stands on the left side of
the road near to the Mattanchery Jetty, on the opposite direction of Jew
Town. It is situated on the Bolghatty island, 10 km from Ernalulam City,
Kochi. Known locally known as the 'Dutch Palace' Mattanchery Palace it was
built in 1555, and till than it has remained as the important trading
center. The Palace is one of the oldest building of the Portuguese, which is
now being used as a luxurious hotel. It houses the long spacious halls with
the central courtyard enshrining Palayannur Bhagavati the Royal
Deity. Apart from that there are two temples on the either side of the
Palace dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva respectively.
Wellington Island : Wellington Island is the man made island created
from earth dredged, while deepening the Fort Kochi. The architect of this
island was designed by Lord Bristow. There are ferry and regular bus
services from Ernakulam to this island.
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary : Mangalavanam is a popular bird
sanctuary located in Ernakulam district of Kerala. It is the nestling ground
of large variety of migratory birds and support many varieties of Mangroves.
There are 41 species of birds in the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
representing 25 families. Little Cormorant and Black-crowned Night Heron are
the most common species found here. Highest species richness of birds was
found in the months of May and July.
Places To Stay - Ernakulam (Kochi)
Choice Sea Side
Hotel, Cantonment.
Centaur Tourist Home, M A Road.
Kamala International, S M Road.
Kavitha Tourish Home, S N Park.
Motel Aram, Kalliassery.
Omars Inn, Station Road.
Yatri Nivas (KTDC), Near Police Club.
Bharat Hotel, Ernakulam.
Casino Hotel, Willingdon Island.
Dwaraka Hotel, Ernakulam.
Ganam Hotel, Ernakulam.
Grand Hotel, Ernakulam.
Maps - Ernakulam (Kochi)
Railway Network
Map
Road Map
Travel Map
Climate - Ernakulam (Kochi)
Mean Max: 32.6 °C.
Mean Min: 21.4°C.
Rainfall
Rainfall (annual): 344 cm.
General Information - Ernakulam (Kochi)
Area
2997 sq.km.
Population
2,251,727.
Clothing
Tropical cottons.
Location
North Malabar Area (Kerala)
Main Attraction
Fort St. Angelos, Arakkal
Palace
Best Time
August to March
Altitude
Sea Level.
Useful Information - Ernakulam
Post &
Telegraph:
General Head Post Office, Hospital Road.
Tourist Information Centres
Tourist
Information Centre:
Government Of India Tourist Office, Willingdon Island; Kerala Tourism
Development Corporation Tourist Reception Centre, Shanmugham Road.
How To Get There - Ernakulam (Kochi)
By Air
The nearest airport is at Karipur,
Kozhikode, about 93kms south.
By Rail
Kannur railway station is an
important rail head of the Southern Railway and is well linked to major
towns up country as well as within the State.
By Road
Kannur is accessible by road.
Ferries
Ferry service is available for
travel between the island towns.
Local Transport
Taxis, city buses and
autorickshaws.