Cochin-
District Ernakulam |
|
Area |
83.52
Sq. km. |
Altitude |
Sea
level. |
Temperature |
Summer
Max. 35 Deg.C. Min. 22 Deg.C.
Winter Max. 32 Deg.C. Min. 20
Deg.C. |
Rainfall |
254
Cms. (June-Oct.) |
Season |
October
- March. |
Area
code |
0484 |
State |
Kerala |
GETTING
THERE |
|
By
Air |
Indian
Airlines connects Cochin with regular flights from Bangalore, Bombay,
Delhi, Goa, Thiruvananthapuram, Madras. Jet Airways also connect
Cochin and Bombay. |
By
Road |
Bus
services of KSRTC and other companies link the city to all major
centres in the region. The Central Bus Station is located close
to Ernakulam Junction. KSRTC Enquiry Tel: 372033. |
By
Rail |
Cochin
is connected to all parts of the country. Cochin has two stations,
Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town. The former is the main terminal,
while certain Trivandrum trains halt at the latter. Enquiries: Town
Tel: 353620, Junction Tel: 132, 131, 133, Terminus Tel: 6050. |
Local
Transport |
Taxis
are available from the agencies and hotels easily. KTDC operates
sightseeing tours in the city including boat and coach tours. Autorickshaws
and private buses are also available. Details about the coach tour
can be had from KTDC Tel: 353234, 362799. |
ACCOMMODATION |
Bolghatty
Palace Hotel (KTDC),
Hotel Malabar, Willingdon Island,
Hotel Casino, Willingdon Island,
Quality Inn Presidency, Ernakulam
The Avenue Regent, 39/1796ABC, M.G. Road.
Taj Residency, Marine Drive, Ernakulam. |
SHOPPING |
The
Kerala State Handicrafts Development Corporation's showroom Kairali
and State Handicrafts Society's emporium Saurabhi, are situated
at Palimukku, M.G. Road. Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan, a showroom of khadi
village industries, is also situated here.
Bombay Handloom House showroom is located at the north end of' M.G.
Road. Showrooms of' the various states are located Opposite Maharaja's
College Ground, M.G. Road. |
Coach
Tours |
Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary ,a two-day trip, every Saturday. The tour starts
at 7.30 am and returns at 8 pm on Sunday. Price : Rs. 250. Accommodation
will be provided at KTDC hotels on request. Boat rides also available.
Boat
Cruise cum Sightseeing Tour (Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St.Francis
Church, Chinese Fishing Nets and Bolghatty Island) Timings 0900
hrs to 1230 hrs and 1400 hrs to 1730 hrs. Fare Rs. 50/-.
Sunset
Tour (Boat cruise) Timings 1730 hrs to 1900 hrs daily Fare Rs. 30/-.
Athirapally-Vazhachal Tours: This is a day's tour on Sunday. It
starts at 8am and returns at 6 pm. It covers the Athirampally and
Vazhachal waterfalls. The fare is Rs. 100 per head.
The
District Tourism Promotion Council, Ernakulam, arranges a day's
trip on Sunday to Bhoothathankettu. The fare includes food. The
office of the Council is situated at the Old Collectorate Building.
The
Department of Tourism conducts backwater cruises in their luxury
boats Mainakom and Sagara Rani. The reservation authority is the
Deputy Director, Tourism, Govt. Guest House Tel: 360502, 360257.
Mermaid
Boat Club, Vytilla hires boats for a cruise through the backwaters
and provides watersports facilities. Reservations at Silver Sand
Island, Satgamaya, M.G. Road. |
Post
and Telegraph |
Central
Telegraph Office, Jose Junction, M.G. Road Tel: 355601.
General Head Post Office, Hospital Road, Tel: 355467. |
SIGHTSEEING |
|
The
Jewish Synangogue |
Constructed
in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the British Commonwealth.
The original building was destroyed by shelling during the Portuguese
raid in 1662 and was rebuilt two years later when the Dutch took
over Cochin. It's an interesting little place with hand-painted,
willow-patterned floor tiles brought from Canton in China in the
mid-18th century by one Ezekial Rahabi. He was also responsible
for the Clock tower which tops the building.
The
original synagogue built at Kochangadi in 1344 has since disappeared,
although a stone slab from this building, inscribed in Hebrew, can
be found on the inner surface of the wall which surrounds the Matencherry
synagogue. Timings : 1000-1200 hrs, 1500-1700 hrs. Closed on Saturdays
and Jewish holidays. |
The
Jewish Synanagogue-Jewtown |
The
first Jewish settlement was at Cranganore (Kodungullur), north of
Cochin. Like the Syrian Orthodox Christians, the Jews became involved
in the trade and commerce of the Malabar coast. The area around
the synagogue is known as Jewtown and is one of the centers of the
Cochin Spice trade. Many jewish names are visible on the business
premises and houses, but the community has diminished rapidly since
1947 and the creation of Israel. |
Bolgatty
Island |
This
is a beautiful island lying close to Ernakulam. The Bolgatty Palace
was built by the Dutch in 1774 and was former residence of the British
Resident of Kochi. Today it is hotel run by Kerala Tourism Development
Corporation with small golf course and special honeymoon cottages.
The island is connected by frequent ferry service with mainland
Ernakulam. Boats to the island start from the High Court jetty;
country boats (Machuvas) can also be hired near the jetty and charge
Rs. 5. |
EXCURSIONS |
|
Ambalamugal |
A
fresh water lake, it has become an abode of migrant birds. There
is a Guest House. |
Chinese
Fishing Nets |
At
the entrance of Kochi Harbour, these nets were erected between 1350
and 1450 AD by traders from court of Kulbai Khan and were
built of teak wood and bamboo poles. They can be seen all along
the backwaters of Kerala. |
Cherai
Beach |
On
Vypeen island, 18 km from Vypeen, it is a very beautiful and calm
beach. Dolphins are ocassionally seen here. |
Chottanikara
Bhavathy Temple |
It
is an important pilgrim centre. The Navarathri festival is celebrated
here during October and many prominent classical performances held. |
Dutch
Cemetry |
It
is at a short distance from St. Francis Church near the entrance
to the beach. The cemetry was consecrated in 1724 and is today managed
by Church of South India. |
Dutch
Palace |
Built
by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin in 1555, it
was renovated by the Dutch during their short lived regime here. |
Fort
Cochin |
It
is 12 km from Ernakulam and there are frequent buses and ferry services
from here. |
Gundu
Island |
The
smallest island around Kochi, Gundu Island has a coir factory where
coir is made into rope manually and carpets are manufactured by
looms operated by hand. This island can be reached from Vypeen only
by boat. |
Hill
Palace Museum |
On
the Ernakulam-Chot-tanikkara route, the largest archaeological museum
of Kerala. Sculpture, rare coins, old weapons, manuscripts, and
memorabilia from the Kochi royal family are exhibited here. There
are frequent private buses from Ernakulam. Timings:0900 hrs to 1700
hrs. Closed on Monday. |
Kaladi |
The
birth place of Shankaracharya, the great 8th century philosopher,
is situated on the banks of river Periyar and there are two shrines
dedicated to his memory. The nearest airport is Kochi, 48 km from
Kalady, and the nearest railway stations are Angamaly (10km) and
Always (23 km). |
KanjiramattomMosque |
It
is believed that the mosque was erected over the mortal remains
of Sheikh Parid. It was here that the great Muslim saint, Bavar
is supposed to have prayed and attained eternal bliss. The Kodikuthtt
festival which falls in December-January attracts thousands of devotees.
The mosque is situated at Kanjiramattom, 30 km from Cochin. |
Koonan
Kurishu Shrine |
This
small chapel in which the Koonal Cross stands is situated in the
heart of the busy commercial centre of Mattancherry. |
Museum
Of Kerala History |
Located
at Edappally, 10 km from Ernakulam city, it is the only one of its
kind in Kerala. The history of Kerala is exhibited and narrated
with the help of light and sound There are frequent private buses
passing through Edappally (Pathadipalam bus stop) where the museum
is located. Timings : 1000 hrs to 1700 hrs. Closed on Monday. Entry
Fee Rs. 5/-. . |
Pallipuram
Fort |
Built
by the Portuguese in 1503, it is one of the oldest existing European
monuments in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold
it to the state of Travancore in 1789. From Vypeen there are frequent
buses to Pallipuram; Vypeen is connected by ferry with Fort Kochi
and Ernakulam. |
Santa
Cruz Basilica |
This
Roman Catholic church was built by Portuguese and elevated to Cathderal
by Pope Paul IV in 1558. Bishop Dom Gomez Ferreira commissioned
a new building at same site in 1887. The curch was proclaimed
a Basilica in 1984 by Pope John Paul II. |
Shiva
Temple |
It
is situated in the centre of the Ernakulam city, close to the Kochi
Cultural Centre, very near the Durbar Hall Ground. The annual festival
in the temple is conducted for eight days during the month of January.
A cultural festival is also held with a variety of music, concerts,
Kathakali etc. as part of the celebrations. |
St.
Francis Church |
The
oldest church constructed by the Europeans in India, this Protestant
church was originally built by the Portuguese in 1503. Vasco da
Gama, who died in 1524, was buried here. |
Willingdon
Island |
This
is a man made island created from the materials dredged up while
deepening Kochi Port. There are frequent ferry and bus services
from Ernakulam. The harbour, airport and railway terminus are located
on this island. |
TOURIST
INFORMATION CENTRES |
Govt.
of India Tourist Office, Willingdon Island,
Tel: 668352.
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, Tel: 353234, 362799.
Information Counter, Old Collectorate Building; and at Hotel Woodlands. |
