Cochin
or Kochi, is one of the most interesting cities
of India, located in the state of Kerala.
Situated on the west coast of the country, the
beautiful city is often referred to as the
"Queen of the Arabian Sea." Cochin has an
anceint history dating back hundreds of years.
Basically a collection of islands and narrow
peninsulas, Cochin is known for its wealth of
historical associations. Cochin consists of
mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willington,
Bolghatty and Gundu, Fort Cochin and Mattanchery.
Ernakulam is the business centre of the city and
it forms the main land. It is separated from
Fort Cochin and Mattanchery by the Periyar
river. Cochin is also famous for its finest
natural harbours around which the city has
grown. The city covers an area of 87 sq. kms and
has a population of 16,60,000.
Climate & Clothing
The climate of Kochi is tropical, because of its
closeness to sea. The city enjoys a pleasant
weather round the year, with no harsh
extremities. The average maximum temperature in
summers can go up to 38°C and to a minimum of
18°C in winters. Monsoon comes to the city in
the month of June and remains until September.
Cochin can be visited any time in the year but
the best time to visit the city is from October
to April. The tropical climate recommends light
cotton clothes in summers and woollens in
winters. Waterproofing is required during
monsoons.
Accommodation in Cochin
Le Meridien Resort and Convention Center (5
Star/ N. H- 47, Bye Pass), Taj Malabar (5 Star/
Willingdon Island North End), Taj Residency (5
Star/ Marine Drive), The Trident (4 Star/
Willingdon Island), Casino Hotel (4 Star/
Willingdon Island), Gokulam Park Inn (4 Star/
N.H. Road, Kaloor), Best Western the Avenue
Regent (4 Star/ M. G. Road) etc.
Tourist Attractions of Cochin
»
St Francis Church : Built by the Portuguese
in 1510, this is believed to the be the oldest
church constrcuted by the Europeans in India.
» Chinese Fishing Nets : These
nets are strung at the entrance of the harbour
and along the backwaters. Chinese fishing nets
were introduced by traders from the court of
Kublai Khan.
» Dutch Palace (Mattanchery) :
The palace was built by the Portuguese in 1557
and was presented to the Cochin Raja, Veera
Kerala Varma as a gesture of goodwill. It is a
two storeyed building surrounding a central
courtyard containing a Hindu temple.
» Bolgatty Palace : This Dutch
Palace was built in 1744. Bolghatty Palace is
situated on an island and now functioning as a
hotel.
» Santa Cruz Basilica : The
church is located close to St. Francis Church.
It was built by the Portuguese and elevated to a
Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. This Roman
Catholic church has some beautiful paintings.
» Gundu Island : Located close
to Vypeen Island, this is the smallest island in
Cochin harbour. There is a coir factory in the
island, where attractive doormats are made out
of the coconut fiber.
» The Jewish Synagogue : Built
in the year 1567, this is the oldest synagogue
in the Commonwealth. It is an interesting place
with exquisite hand painted, willow-pattern
floor tiles brought from Canton and China in 18
th century.
Airport
Cochin has an international airport, which is
located about 30 kms north-east of the city. The
airport is connected to major cities in India
with regular flights. Cochin airport is also
connected to foreign destinations like
Singapore, Colombo, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Doha,
Dubai, Kuwait, Jeddah, Muscat, and Riyadh.
Local Modes of Transport
Getting
around Cochin is cheap and affordable. Private
buses run across the city that will take you to
most parts of the city. Taxis, auto-rickshaws
are other very common local modes of transport.
Entertainment Options
Cochin is located in the culturally vibrant
state of Kerala, with theatre and film shows and
music and dance festivals held throughout the
city . From classical dance forms of Kathakali
and Mohiniattam to modern plays and popular
cinema, from traditional snake boat races to
modern amusement parks, Cochin offers a great
deal of entertainment options for tourists.
Adventure Activities
Cochin's adventure lies in its beautiful
beaches, backwater cruises, water sports etc.
Shopping
Shopping in Cochin is best for handicraft and
antique lovers. The city has many handicraft and
antique emporia, where one can buy the works of
contemporary artists. Among the best buys of
Cochi are metalware, wood carvings, camel-bone
carvings, articles made of coconut shells,
bamboo cane, embroidered screwpine mats, grass
mats and several other handicraft items. Most
famous shopping centres are M.G. Road, Broadway,
Marine Drive, Jew Town, Broadway, Eranakulam
Market, Spices Board and N.H. Bye Pass.
