About Kochi
Kochi formerly known as Cochin is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. It
has an important historical significance as it was the first European
colonial settlement in India and remained the capital of Portuguese India
until 1530, when Goa became the capital. Kochi has been an important trading
port since ancient times. The city is an important trading junction and
cleanliness is an defining element of the city. Kochi is recognised as the
Queen of the Arabian Sea and an important hub of commercial and industrial
business of Kerala.
Kochi has a rich heritage of British and Portuguese as the city is spotted
with forts, churches and also temples. The relics are silent utterer of the
political, religious and commercial development of the city at colonial
time. One can witness the symbiotic relationship between water and land in
Kochi and the best way to explore it is to take a cruise along the backwater
from Ernakulam to Perumbalam and back that should take around two hours. The
place Vembanad backwater is home to thousands of fisher folks. In the
shallows, fishermen beat the water with palm leaf switches and then
gathering the stunned fish by the armfuls.
In Kochi transport options are plenty. Ferries are the cheapest way to
travel with some great views thrown in free. Ernakulam’s main jetty is
next to the Kochi children’s park and Taj Residency, off Foreshore
road. Auto rickshaws are handy for negotiating the back streets of Fort
Kochi and Mattancherry.
Santa Cruz Basilica - The church is more than 500 years old. the
facade is in Gothic style with soaring spires, which are truly imposing. But
the main features are interior. Santa Cruz Basilica was the most unexploited
worshipping place in Kochi. During the Dutch conquest in 1663, most places
of worship were turned into warehouses. But this cathedral was spared.
Beauty of church lies in stained glass and life like caryatids watching over
the quaint confessional boxes.
Princess Street – this is oldest back street of Fort Kochi, the
buildings are of colonial style with bronze stucco walls and flowerpot-laden
windowsills. Bakeries are famous as street is flavours the perfume of next
morning loaves.
Waterfront- Vasco da Gama square is a short walk from Princess
street. Just before the beach are the huge cantilevered Chinese fishing
nets. Fort Kochi beach is a small but neat one and has a lighthouse at one
end of it.
Dutch Cemetery – Dutch cemetery was the final resting place for
the scores of soldiers and merchant adventurers from 17th and 18th century
Holland. It is located opposite the lighthouse, the street goes down
parallel to the beach.
Cochin Carnival- Cochin carnival occurs during the last 10 days of
the year whn people adorn their houses and streets with white paper cloths.
Various type of competitions like drawing, bicycle races, tug of war,
swimming and beach volleyball are being played. The carnival concludes at
31st midnight with lots of fireworks.
Broadway- This is present in the Ernakulam, which is the urban face
of of Kochi and of course exciting. Many of the broadway’s buildings
retain the sloping roofs and inverted elevations. The place is shopper’s
paradise and nothing a shopper can’t get here and the place has an
exotic cardamom and cumin charm about it.
Not To Overlook-Excursions From Kochi
Wildlife Excursion - From Kochi to Periyar national park, one of the
largest wildlife sanctuary in India is long excursion around 190 kilometers
away from Kochi. The place is beautiful and unexploited. One can see big
animals like elephants, rhinos, tigers, wild buffaloes.
Waterfall Excursion - From Kochi there are two waterfalls excursion.
First one is Thommankuthu Waterfalls and the other at Cheeyappara
Waterfalls.
City Excursion - Aluva, 20 kilometer from Kochi is a beautiful city
with sparse population. Another one is Alappuzha beach, which is 70
kilometer away from Kochi is also a great place to roam.
Religious Excursion - Kaladi is the most religious place in Kochi,
which is famous for temples. Other religious places are Malayatoor Church
and Kanjiramattom mosque.
Location- Cochin or Kochi is another Arabian-seaside industrial hub,
this time in the state of Kerala. Kochi is 10degree north and 76 degree of
east. Its not very far from Allapuzha Beach (70 km), Kalady (Birthplace of
Shankaracharya) and Alluva (20km).
Climate- Being situated very close to the sea, Kochi has a moderate
climate, with heavy rains during June-August due to the southwest monsoon.
In summer, the temperature rises to a maximum of 35 degree Celsius and 25
degree Celsius in the winters. Annual average rainfall is 340 cm
How To Reach?
By Air- Kochi is connected by good air network to all major cities
in India. Cochin also has an international terminal.
By Rail- Kochi has three main railway stations, namely, Ernakulam
Junction, Ernakulam Town and Harbor Terminus on Willingdon Island and they
are well connected with other parts of Kerala and other states in India.
By Road- Kochi, being an important commercial center of Kerala is
very well connected and serviced by a network of National and state
highways.
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