|
|
|
|
Kochi
Cochin or Kochi as it is now called, is a very interesting part of Kerala. Infact, it is perhaps one of the
oldest trading sections. A trading port is said to exist since the Roman times, and it was on the main trade route between Europe and China. The Town of Cochin is basically in three parts. Fort Cochin, which is on the seaward side, and perhaps was why the Fort was built to safeguard the city. Willingdon Island, which was a man-made creation of the 1920's by dredging the bay to increase the depth of the entrance to the harbour. The Navy has an established base
over here, and also is where the Cochin Railway Terminus and Airport are located. Across the causeway from Wellingdon Island is Ernakulam. When you are approaching by road from Quilon, you will be able to see the roads branch off to Ernakulam and Fort Cochin. Immediately opposite the jetty at Ernakulam is Bolghatty Island and further away is Vypeen Island. Bolghatty Palace built in 1744 by the Dutch, has now been turned into a hotel, and you will be able to see the walls of the same when you take a boat ride. A picture of this so called 'island' is seen below as part of the Cochin boat ride and Island.
It was from 1795 until India's Independence, the outer part of the island and beach was under the British Colonial rule or political control, while the inner part was under the Kochi State and Raja of Travancore.Because of this division of political ruling, the harbour was not developed till around 1920 - 1923, when the approach channel was dredged to allow any ship that could pass through the Suez Canal to dock safely, thus opening the harbour to then so called 'modern shipping lines'.
Most of the historical buildings are in Fort Cochin, and the Portuguese fort founded in 1503 is now a ruin.( I did not get to see it). One place that really was interestng was the Mattancheri Palace. They do not allow photography there, hence I do not have any photographs, but I am trying to get some 'official' ones. History goes back that the Portuguese built the palace around 1557 as a gift for the raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights. In 1663, it was substatially re-built by the Dutch who had taken over from the Portuguese. The Palace is on 2 floors and built in a quadrangle. It now houses the Museum which has exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi, such as gowns, palanquins, weapons (mostly spears and swords) and furniture. The interior is panelled with wood as well as the flooring, but there are some walls that are covered with detailed mural paintings from the Ramayana. Other paintings in the rooms adjoining are large murals which are of the Rajas, and are very realistic and look like photographs. The ladies chambers are below, but that was closed off to visitors. Adjacent to the Palace is a Temple that has as a backdrop the Jewish Synagogue. The Temple is not open to non-Hindus. The entrance to the compound of the Mattancheri Palace is through two arches.There is a lot of similarity between these arches and those found at the entrance to Tangassery, which shows the Portuguese influence. Even the side of the palace seems to have a little bit of the flat features found in the building of Churches.
Kochi (also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea), 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
IN AND AROUND THE CITY
St. Francis Church: Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars, this is India's oldest European church. It was restored in 1779 by the Protestant Dutch, converted to an Anglican Church by the British in 1795, and is presently used by the church of South India. Vasco da Gama's remains were buried here in 1524 and later moved to Lisbon, Portugal. His tombstone still remains.
Santa Cruz Basilica : This monumental church dates back to 1558 and has beautiful paintings on the ceiling .
Chinese Fishing Nets : These huge cantilevered fishing nets were brought here by traders from the court of Kublai Khan.
Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) (Open10:00am to 5:00pm. Closed on Fridays): Builtby the Potuguese in 1557 and presented to Rafa Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the palace was renovated in 1663by the Dutch . On display here are beautiful murals depicting scenes from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata and some of the Puranic Hindu legends.
Jewish Synagogue (Open10: 00am to 12:00noon ; 3:00pm to 5:00pm .Closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays ) : Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the Common wealth. Destroyed in a shelling during the Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch. Known for mid 18th century hand printed, willow pattern floor tiles from Canton in China, a clock tower, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, ancient scripts on copper plate's etc.
Jew Town: The area around the Synagogue is a center of spice trade and curio shops.
Cherain Beach: This lovely beach bordering Vypeen island kis ideal for swimming. Dolphins are occasionally seen here. A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby is an added attraction of this beach.
Bolghatty Island : This island kis famous for its palace of the same name . The Bolghatty Palace was built in 1744 by the Dutch and later taken over by the Dutch and later taken over by the British. Today it is a hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation , with a small golf course and special honey moon cottages.
Willingdon Island: Named after Lord Willingdon, a British Viceroy to India, this man - made island is surrounded by beautiful backwaters. The island is the site of the city's best hotels, customs and trading center, the port trust and the headquarters of the southern naval command.
Pareekshith Thampuran Museum (Open 100:00am to 12:30pm , 2:00hpm to 4:30pm closed on Mondays): This sprawling, traditional Keaala style building previously called the Durbar Hall , house 19th century oil oaintings, collection of old coins, sculptures and Mughal paintings.
Vypeen Island: Lighthouse kat Ochanthuruth (Open 3:00pm to 5:00pm daily )
Gundu Island : 16th century Pallipuram Fort (Open on Thursdays)
The Hill Palace Museum, Thripunithura (Open 9:00am to 12:30pm; 2:00pm to 4:30pm Closed on Monkdays) : 10km from Kochi, Hill Palace, the official residence of the Kochi royal family , was built in 1865 . The palace complex consists of 49 building built in the traditional architectural style of Kerala and is surrounded by 52acres of terraced land with a deer park and facilities for horse riding. A full -fledged Ethno- archaeological Museum and Kerala's first ever Heritage Museum are the main attractions. Displayed inside the thirteen galleries are oil paintings, 198th century paintings ,murals, sculpture in stone and plaster of Pares, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins belonging to the Kochi royal family.
CONDUCTED TOURS
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (LTDC) : * Boat cruise (daily two trips: 9:00am to 12:30pm & 2:00pm to 5:30pm) from Kochi harbour to Willingdon Island , Mattancherry Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, Fort Kochi and Bolghatty Island. *Sunset Cruise (5:30pm to 7:00pm) * 3 hour backwater village cruises which include visits to coir villages and coconut plantations (daily)*Twp day Periyar Wildlife Tour (leaves every Saturday 7:30am returns Sunday 8:00pm ) covering Kadamattom Church, Periyar wildlife reserve and Idukki dam.
For details contact, The KTDC Tourist Reception Centre Shanmughom Road Ernakulam Kochi 682011 Phone: 353234 362799(Office Hours : 8:00am to 7:00pm ) Email : ktdc @giasmd01.vsnl.net.in Web site:http://www.ktdc.com
Tourist Desk: * Backwater village tour (daily twe trips: 9:00am to 1:30pm &2:00pm to 6:30pm ). Starts from the main boat jetty, Ernakulam. For details contact, Tourist Desk, Main Boat Jetty , Near Subash Bose Park, Emakulam. Phone:371761.
Backwater Tours
Alappuzha (70km-2hourns): Also known as the Venice of the East , Alappuzha is famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays,beaches, marine products and coir industry . Asingular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. The granary of Kerala, Kuttanad is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level .
Kumarakom (88km-2 1/2 hours): This unique backwater destination situated on the banks of the Vembanad lade is considered the gateway to the backwaters of Kuttanad. The Kumarakom is also a centre for houseboat cruises.
Hill station
Munnar (130km-4 1/2 hours): 1600m above sea level, Munnar is ka nature lover's paradise and was the summer resort of the British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular hill station. Among the exotic flor found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji . This flower which bathes the hills in the blue once every twelve years, will bloom mext in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi - which towers over2695m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.
Wildlife
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady (190km-6hours): Rolling hills, tea and cardamom plantations welcomes
you to Thekkady. One of the largest wildlife reserves in India , the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is more popular as a tiger reserve. Aboat ride on the splendid Periyar lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. The greatest attraction here is the herda of wild elephants that come down to the lake to frolic in the waters. Tiger, Sambar,Bison, Spotted Deer , Leopard, Malabar Flying Squirrel, Stripe-necked Mongoose and so on can slso be spetted in the forest. Kumily, an important spice trade centre, lies in the periphery of the sanctuary.
|
|
|
|
|
|
