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Ernakulam (Cochin)

Chinese Net

Cochin - Ernakulam (kochi). “The Queen of Arabian Sea” is one of the beautiful cities in Kerala. City is the mixture of many people migrated from all over the country. A city tucked in the beauty of coconut palms and endless blue waters is one of the important towns in South India, with a natural harbour. It is the commercial hub of Kerala. Kochi is a dynamic city with soaring land prices and rapidly industrialising suburbs. A trading port since Roman times, it lies on the main trade route between Europe and China.

The town has three main parts- Fort Cochin, Willington Island and Ernakulam. Fort Cochin (Fort Kochi) occupies the South promontory on the sea ward side of the Bay. In 1920, Willington Island was created by dredging the bay to increase the depth of the entrance to the harbour. Across the causeway from Willington Island is Ernakulam. The Bolghatty Island, a long narrow peninsula, is situated at the opposite side of Ernakulam jetty. The Vypeen island is another peninsula situated beyond the Bolghatty island

Kochi can be regarded as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala. Kochi earned a significant position on the world trading routes after the world famous port at Kodugallur . Being situated very close to the sea, Kochi has a moderate climate. The commercial capital of Kerala and the most cosmopolitan of Kerala’s cities, Cochin is a fascinating blend of cultures

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. Chinese traders from the court of Kublai Khan are believed to have introduced these huge cantilevered fishing nets in the late14th centuryMany 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.

Bolghatty Island

A very Beautiful Island situated across the backwaters from the main land of Ernakulam. The Dutch palace is situated on Bolghatty island which is just a short boat ride away from the mainland. The palace has been converted to a hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). The island has a tiny golf course and the panoramic views of the port and the harbour, makes it an attractive picnic spot. Frequent boat service is available from the mainland.
Â» KTDC Bolghatty Palace Hotel

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.

Boat Ride

The backwaters separating Ernakulam from Fort Kochi and Mattanchery are dotted with many small and mid-sized islands. KTDC run many boat ride packages and the information can be had from KTDC, SBI Building, Ernakulam. A boat ride through the backwaters is an unforgettable experience.

Veega Land

Veega Land is South India's largest amusement park situated 14kms from Cochin. The park includes a range of attractions including mini castles, water theme park, ferris wheel, rides, slides, shows and fountains. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the fun and activities.

Veega Land offers you unparalleled fun backed by world-class infrastructure. We provide ample parking facilities for your vehicles free of cost. So while you venture into the world of fun and excitement let your vehicles lay safe at our parking manned by our security staffs.

Modem locker and dress changing rooms welcomes you and help to kick - start your adventure and fun inside the park. Lockers to help. you keep your baggage and changing rooms with bathing cubicles to help you feel fresh and relaxed.

Timings

Week days

10.30 a.m to 6.30 p.m (Counter Closing at 3 p.m.)

Saturdays, Sundays Festival / Public Holidays

10.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (Counter closing at 4 p.m.

Hill Palace

The Hill Palace, the official residence of the Kochi royal family, is today the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. Built in 1865, the Palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala, sprawled over 52 acres of beautifully landscaped terraced land which houses a deer park and facilities for horse riding. Numerous species of flora including rare medicinal plants grow here. In the Ethno - Archaeological Museum are oil-paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings of the Kochi royal family and royal furniture including the simhasana (throne).

Also exhibited are over 200 antique pieces of pottery and ceramic vases from Japan and China. Kudakkallu (tomb stone), Thoppikkallu (hood stone), menhirs, granite, laterite memorials, rock cut weapons from the stone ages, wooden temple models, plaster cast models of objects from Mohanjadaro and Harappa of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The museum also houses a gallery of contemporary art.

Location : 10 kms from Ernakulam town, Central Kerala.

Visiting hours : 9.00 to 12.30 hrs. and 14.00 to 16.30 hrs.
on all days except Mondays.

Highlights : Kerala's first heritage museum. Royal collections of the erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi.

Mattanchery (Dutch) Palace

It was built by the Portuguese in the middle of the 16th century. This structure was taken over in 1663 by the Dutch, who added some improvements before presenting it to the Rajas of Cochin. The rajas also made more improvements. This palace is notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, particularly in the bed chambers. In that room one can see the entire story of Ramayana on the walls. The palace also contains rare examples of traditional Kerala flooring, which looks like polished black marble but is actually a mixture of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant juices and egg whites. It is situated at Palace Road, Mattancherry.

Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep (meaning thousand islands), a haven of unspoiled natural beauty, lies 220-440kms off the coast of Kochi. Lakshadweep is an archipelago consisting of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks. Only 10 islands are inhabited while 17 are uninhabited islands with a total geographical area of 32 sq. kms. Lakshadweep is connected to the mainland by air and sea links to Cochin. The sea route takes around 18-20 hours. Miles and miles of sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut groves will leaveanyone mesmerized.

Union Territory of Lakshadweep – Official Website of Government of India

Kalady

Situated 48 kms north-east of Kochi, on the banks of river Periyar (Poorna). Kalady is the birthplace of Sri Adi Sankaracharya, the monotheist Hindu philosopher. He lived in the 8th century AD and died at the early age of 32 years. He traveled throughout India, on foot, debating with scholars and spreading his theory of Advaita or monotheism. The Adi Sankara shrine and the 8-storey painted Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthambam (see picture) are a must-see for any visitor here.

Thekkady

Lying close to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.Elephants, bisons, antelopes, samburs, monkeys and bears can be found in their natural habitat in this world famous wild life sanctuary, situated 190kms east of Cochin. A boat ride through the man-made lake in the heart of the sanctuary provides a unique opportunity to observe these animals in their natural surroundings