- Area: 8,700 sq km
- Language: Malayalam and English
- Best time to visit: December to May
Kochi
, formerly known as Cochin, is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The
city is one of the principal seaports of the country and is located in
the district of Ernakulam, about 220 kilometres (137 mi) north of the
state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. It has an estimated population of
600,000, with an extended metropolitan population of about 1.5 million,
making it the largest urban agglomeration and the second largest city in
Kerala after the capital. Popularly known as the Queen of Arabian Sea, Cochin is located in Kerala, on the south west coast of India. Regarded as the industrial capital of Kerala, Cochin is the commercial hub of this thriving state. Traveling to Kochi is a great experience and there are many tourist attractions that can be visited.
Cochin is popularly referred to as the Gateway of South India. It is an important trade center and many countries prefer this place to export and import their materials. In fact, Cochin has been an important link to the rest of the world since ancient times. Cochin has been ruled over by many empires over centuries. Thus, one can find a cultural amalgamation in this place. Despite being ruled by so many different domains, Cochin still maintains its cultural identity and is fiercely proud of it. The Dutch, British and also the Portuguese have ruled Cochin for many years. This resulted in a unique mix and match of traditional as well Western architecture and lifestyle.
Tourist Attractions in Kochi :
Fort Cochin - it is the most prominent tourist spot in Cochin and many important monuments related to the city's history are located in Fort Cochin. These include
- St. Francis church - this is the oldest church built in India by
the Europeans. Vasco da Gama , the famous Portuguese trader and
explorer was buried here. His remains were later shifted to Portugal
by his son.
- Santa Cruz Basilica - the current structure of this Church was
built in 1905 after the British had destroyed the original cathedral
built by the Portuguese. The structure dates back to 1505. It was
upgraded to the status of Basilica in 1984.
- Fort kochi Beach - this beach is an ideal location for a walk
during dawn or dusk. The Chinese fishing nets used by the fishermen
are a distinctive feature of this beach.
- Jewish Synagogue and Dutch Palace - Both of these are located in Mattancherry. The synagogue was built in 1568. The Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers adorn this wonderful work of decorative architecture. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament are stored here. The Dutch palace was built by the Portuguese but later modified by the Dutch. This palace was subsequently transferred to the rulers of Kochi. Murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata are the major attraction in this Palace.
- The museum of Kerala history - audio visual aids have been used
in this museum to depict the history of Kerala. Many statues and
paintings are also on display here.
- Parikshit Thampuran museum - the exhibits of this museum have
been shifted to the Hill Palace museum. This was originally used by
the rulers of Cochin for their durbars. Currently the building
serves as the gallery of contemporary art managed by the Lalith kala
Academy.
- Kala Academy. Others : The Bolghatty Palace, Hill Palace, Pallipuram fort, Cherai Beah, Veega Land, and the Wilingdon island are some of the many tourist attractions in Cochin.
Being situated very close to the sea, Kochi has a moderate climate, with heavy rains during June-August due to the southwest monsoon. Winter starts from December and continues till February. In summer, the temperature rises to a maximum of 35°C and 25°C in the winters. Annual average rainfall is 310 cm.
How to reach Kochi
- Air : Cochin has an international airport 30 kilometrs
from the city. The city is connected by direct flights with all the
major Indian cities as well as many major middle eastern cities and
Singapore.
- Rail : Three railway stations in the city connect it to
the rest of the country. These are Eranakulam Junction, Eranakulam
Town, and Cochin Harbor Terminus. These stations are the starting
points of many important trains.
- Road : A network of well maintained roads make road travel to and from Cochin very comfortable. Three national highways pass through or originate from the city.
