Ernakulam

Ernakulam, the first fully literate district in India is surely the face of modern Kerala.  Boasting the largest port in Kerala, present day Cochin or Kochi is also one of the premier industrial, trading and commercial capital of ‘God’s own Country’- Kerala.  The Ernakulam – Kalamassery – Eloor and Aluva belt are becoming the destinations for industrial investments. Cochin Known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea” is an amalgamation of the old and the new. With one of the finest harbors in the world, this was once a major centre for commerce and trade with the Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese.  Many Important monuments related to the city‘s rich historical legacy are well exhibited at Fort Cochin and Mattancherry, which retains the ambiance of the colonial past.  It is an interesting place for its vivid depiction of communal amity, where you can see ancient  temples, Churches and synagogues all in close proximity.
Willington Island named after the viceroy of India, Lord Willington, this man-made island lies nestled by beautiful Kerala backwaters. The island is home to the Cochin Port Trust and the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command. The island is the site of top- end luxury hotels and trading centres.

Synagogue
Constructed in 1568, the Synagogue at Fort Cochin is the oldest in the Commonwealth.   Destroyed in 1662 by cannon fire during a Portuguese raid, was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch, who later came into power.  The hand painted, willow patterned floor tiles of the mid 18th century that were obtained
from Canton in China , a clock tower, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, great scrolls of  the Old Testament are of special attraction. The copper plates that carries the Maharaja’s  inscription of the privileges granted to the Jewish community is of interesting feature.

The Synagogue at Fort Kochi, is located about 10 km from Ernakulam town and is opened  10:00 – 17:00 hours; closed on Fridays.

Jew Town, Mattanchery
The shops in Jew Town has now become a synonym for antiques and is renowned as the place to rare source of articles of Indian and colonial origin. A good source of antique furniture, wooden pillars, door frames, statuettes, old paintings, lamps of different eras etc can be seen here.

Spice Market
The spice market, which lured travelers from across the globe to Kochi, Kerala is saturated with the smell of cardamom, ginger, cloves and pepper.

Koonan Kurishu Chapel,  Mattanchery
This is the chapel were the famous Koonan Kurishu Oath was taken by a group of Malankara Syrian Christians in 1653, reacting not to obey the Latin Archbishops or Jesuits. This event  marked a turning point in the history of Syrian Christian church of Kerala, which was once under the fold of Catholic Bava of the East.

Dutch Palace, Mattanchery
Built and presented by the Portuguese to the Cochin Maharaja Raja Veera Kerala Varma around the year 1557 as a token of appeasement. In 1663, the palace was renovated by the Dutch and hence got the name the’ Dutch Palace’.

The double storied palace building is built in the traditional Kerala Nalukettu style- the home of the aristocracy and has a Bhagavathi temple in the central courtyard dedicated to the presiding deity of the royal family. The palace is home to intricate murals in the best traditions of Hindu temple art that covers 300 sq. ft of its walls. The murals depict several scenes from Hindu mythology in an exquisite manner. The themes of these murals has been mainly taken from the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha and legends of the Hindu gods especially Guruvayurappan. Scenes from Kumarasambhavam and other works of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa are also depicted in the murals. Weapons like swords, swings and furniture are exhibited in the palace, which were once used by the royal family.

How to Reach: There are frequent bus and boat services to Mattancherry. The boats start from Main Boat Jetty near Subash Park at Ernakulam town.

Rail
The nearest railway station is Ernakulam Junction, which is about 10 km from here.

Air
The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is about 20 km from Ernakulam town.
(Visiting hrs: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Closed Fridays)

Cherai Beach
Located on one end of Vypeen Island, this beach is a swimmer’s paradise. Cherai Beach has an added advantage with the sea on the western side and the backwaters on the east, giving Kerala tourists a panoramic view, which can be found only in Kerala.

How to Reach

Rail
The nearest railway station is Ernakulam Junction, which is one km from the main boat jetty.

Air
The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is about 20 km from Ernakulam town

Bolghatty Island
This scenic island is famous for its palace of the same name. The lush green landscape overlooking the Vembanad Lake is a place for peace and serenity that shuts away all the bustles of the mainland, which is just across the lake. It was built by the Dutch in 1744, was later taken by the British Resident. The Bolghatty palace is taken over by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and converted into an island heritage hotel, which offers amenities like horse riding, boat cruises, multi cuisine restaurant, a mini golf course and special honey moon cottages.

Vypeen Island & Light House
One of the most densely populated islands of the country, this picturesque island is just a few kilometers from the city. This island also has a lighthouse at Ochanthuruth, which is open to visitors. Once the island was accessible only by ferry, but now the new Goshree Bridge connects the island to the mainland.

Pallippuram Fort
Built by the Portuguese in 1503, the Pallippuram Fort is situated in the northern end of the Vypeen Island. It is said to be the first fort built in India by the Europeans. The Catholic Church here is an important Christian pilgrimage.

Gundu Island
The island of Gundu is the smallest of all the islands that make up Kochi. This island is famous for its Coir Factory where attractive doormats and carpets are manually manufactured.

Mangalavanam
Known for its small bird sanctuary, this mangrove forest is situated in the heart of the Town,on the Dr.Salim Ali Road behind the High court The sanctuary is home to many resident and migratory birds.

Marine Drive – Park Avenue – Fine Arts Avenue
This scenic area on the Ernakulam foreshore,  facing the beautiful Kerala backwaters is truly enchanting. From here one can enjoy the views of nearby islands as well as the merchant ships and the cruise liner halting for fuelling. It is the main business and shopping area.  The Park Avenue is dotted with several parks.

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