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 (annual): 344 cm.

General Information - Ernakulam (Kochi)

2997 sq.km. 2,251,727. Tropical cottons. North Malabar Area (Kerala) Fort St. Angelos, Arakkal Palace August to March Sea Level.

Useful Information - Ernakulam

Post & Telegraph:
General Head Post Office, Hospital Road. 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)

The nearest airport is at Karipur, Kozhikode, about 93kms south. 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. Kannur is accessible by road. Ferry service is available for travel between the island towns. Taxis, city buses and autorickshaws.