Ernakulam Travel Guide

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.

Ernakulam is the green commercial capital of Kerala with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. From here, ships set sail for foreign ports with pepper, sea food, rubber and coir. From times immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Cochin and left their impression in the town. The harbour is the nucleus around which Cochin has grown to become the Queen of the Arabian Sea

Places to visit :
Fort Kochi - A leisurely walk through the city is the best way to discover historic for Kochi. An obscure fishing village that became the first european township In india, kochi has an eventful and colourful history. The town was shaped by the cultural influences, the dutch and later the british. The result of these cultural influences are seen in the many examples of indo european architecture that still exist here.

Chinese Fishing Nets - These huge cantilevered fishing nets are the legacy of one of the first visitors to the malabar coast. Erected here between 1350 and 1450 ad by Traders from the court of kublai khan, these nets are st up on teak wood and bamboo poles. The best place to watch the nets being lowered into the sea and catch being brought in is the vasco da gama square, a narrow promenade that runs along the beach.

St. Francis Church - Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan Friars, this is India's oldest European Church. This was initially built of timber and later reconstructed in stone masonry. It was restored in 1779 by the protestant dutch, converted To an anglican church by the british in 1795 and is at present governed by the church of south india. Vasco da gama was buried here in 1524 before his Remains were moved to Lisbon, portugal.

Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) - Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. On display here are beauriful murals depicting scenes from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, and some of the Puranic Hindu legends. The palace also houses dutch maps of old kochi, royal palanquins, coronation robes of former maharajas of kochi.

Synagogue - Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. Destroyed in a shelling during the portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the dutch.

Bolghatty Island - This island is famous for its palace of the same name. The bolghatty palace Was built in 1744 the dutch and later taken over by the british. Today it is a hotel run by the kerala tourism , with a small golf course and special honeymoon cottages.

Willingdon Island - Named after Lord Willingdon, a former british viceroy of india, this man-made island is surrounded by beautiful backwaters. The island is the site of the city's best hotels and trading centres, the port trust and the headquarters of the southern naval command.

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.

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.

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