Home :: South India Travel Destinations :: Ernakulam India

» Location: Kerala
» Main Attractions: Fort Cochin, Santa Cruz Cathedral
» Known As: Kochi, Cochin
» Best Season: September to May

Ernakulam (Cochin) is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea with Kumarakom and Allapuzha districts on the South, Idukki on the East and Thrissur on the North. The commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala, Kochi, in ernakulam, is also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea.

With one of the finest natural barbours in the world, this was once a manor centre of commerce and trace with the british, arabs, chinese, portuguese, dutch etc.

Places to visit
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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Excursion
Museum of Kerala History: Eight Kms. from Eranakulam, this museum is a treasure house of important scenes of Kerala History from Neolithic age to modern period portrayed through life-size statues. Recorded commentary of each scene with sound and light shows is staged here.

Hill Palace Museum: This is situated 12 Kms. away from Eranakulam on the Eranakulam-Chottanikkara route. It is the largest archaeological museum of Kerala. Different types of sculptures, collection of rare coins, old weapons and collections from the Cochin Royal Family are exhibited here.

Bhoothathankettu: 63 kms from Kochi, it's a beautiful spot replete with a dam and boating facilities. Trekking through the forests here is an exhilarating experience.

Kodungalloor: Formerly known as Muziris, 32 kms away from the city, this was the premiere seaport of India's west coast in olden times. It is believed that St. Thomas had landed here in 52AD. There are many sight seeing places here like Cheramanparambu, the place of the king of Kerala, the ancient Thiruvanchikulam temple, the Bhagavathi Temple, the Portuguese forty and an old mosque very similar in appearance to a Hindu temple. All these historic buildings attract foreigners who come here from different parts of the world

Chennamangalam:  It is located 5kms.north-west of Ernakulam and has a rare geographical combination of rivers on all 3 sides, seven inlets, a hillock and green plains. Kovilakem, the hillock presents an unusual sight of Hindu Temple, a church and a Jewish synagogue, all closely located next to each other. Another attraction of the place Malanappara made of boulder lying one over the other, resembling an elephant from a distance.

Kodanad: 45 kms from Kochi, it is one of the largest elephant capturing camps and training centres in India. It is on the southern banks of Periyar River amidst the beautiful high ranges near Perumbadoor. Even though elephant capture was banned in 1977, the training centre continues to function.

Bastion Bungalow: Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667, the Bungalow gets its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old Dutch fort. The building blends beautifully into the circular structure of the bastion, has a tiled roof and a typical first floor verandah in wood along its front portion. Though it has been said that a network of secret tunnels runs beneath the bungalow, none have been found. Today, the Bungalow is the official residence of the Sub Collector.

Thakur House: This graceful building holds within itself a reflection of the colonial era. The Bungalow was built on the site of the Gelderland Bastion, one of the seven bastions of the old Dutch fort. Earlier known as Kunal or Hill Bungalow, it was home to the managers of the National Bank of India during the British reign. Today, the Bungalow belongs to Ram Bahadur Thakur and Company, the renowned tea trading firm.

Pierce Leslie Bungalow: Pierce Leslie Bungalow the charming Mansion was once the office of Pierce Leslie & Co., the famous coffee merchants. Founded in 1862 AD, this building, a representative of Fort Cochin Colonial Bungalow reflects Portuguese, Dutch and local influences.

The Bishop’s House: Built in 1506 as the residence of the Portuguese Governor, the Bishop’s House stands on a little hillock near the Parade Ground. The facade of the House is characterised by large Gothic arches, and has a circular garden path winding up to the main entrance. The building was acquired by Dom Jos Gomes Ferreira, the 27th Bishop of the Diocese of Kochi whose jurisdiction extended over Burma, Malaya and Ceylon, in addition to India.

Vasco House: Believed to have been the residence of Vasco da Gama, this is one of the oldest Portuguese residences in Fort Kochi. Built in the early sixteenth century, Vasco House sports the typical European glass paned windows and balcony cum verandahs characteristic of the times

Koder House: This magnificent building constructed by Samuel S. Koder of The Cochin Electric Company in 1808 is a supreme example of the transition from colonial to Indo-European architecture. Features like verandah seats at the entrance, floor tiles set in a chess board pattern, red coloured brick like facade, carved wood furniture and a wooden bridge connecting to a separate structure across the street are all unique to this bungalow.

Pallippuram Fort: Situated on the northern fringe of the Vypeen Island, Pallippuram Fort was built in 1507 AD, by the Portuguese. It is considered to be the first fort built in India by the Europeans.

Fort Kochi Beach: A leisurely walk through the lanes of the city is the best way to discover historic Fort Kochi. An obscure fishing village that became the first European township in India, Kochi has an eventful and colourful history.

How to Get There
By Air: International Airport at Nedumbassery (20 kms from town)

By Rail: Ernakulam (Cochin) is a major railhead of the Southern Railway. Main

By Station: Ernakulam (Cochin) junction. Other station : Ernakulam (Cochin) town,Kochi Harbour Terminus.

By Road: An excellent road network links to all major towns and cities in india.

Ferry: There are two ferry stations in Ernakulam (Cochin). The main boat jetty is one km from the junction railway station and the other is near the high court.

General Information about Ernakulam
» Area: 2807 sq. km.
» Population: 2,817,236.
» Temperature
- Summer: Max: 35 °C, Min: 22.5°C
- Winter: Max: 32.3°C, Min: 20 °C
» Rainfall: 254 cms.
» Clothing: Tropical.
» STD Code: 0484.