Tourist Attractions

What awaits you at kochi 'The Queen of Arabian Sea'

Kochi ranks first in the total number of international and domestic tourists in Kerala. It has been ranked the sixth best tourist destination in India. Kochi is full of places of tourist / historical interest with a natural harbour. Marine drive, broadway and M.G road (shopping centres) are very close.

Marine Drive, Broadway and M.G road (Shopping centers) are very close by.

Willington Island, a man made land is an island, which forms part of the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. Much of the present Willingdon Island was claimed from the Lake of Kochi, filling dredged soil around a previously existed, but tiny natural island. The Willingdon Island is significant as the home for the Port of Kochi,

The island is also home for other establishment associated with the port namely, the Office of the Cochin Port Trust (that controls the Port of Kochi), the Customs Office, more than two dozen export-import offices, warehouses, a few hotels and business centers.

The idea of a new Island in Kochi, was first felt by Sir Robert Bristow, who was appointed by Lord Willingdon, then-the Governor of Madras Presidency for commissioning a new modern port in West coast of India at Koch

Bolgatty Palace built by the Dutch(1744) in India, Bolgatty Palace is located on the island popularly known as Bolghatty Island in Kochi, Kerala. One of the oldest existing Dutch palaces outside Holland, this quaint mansion, built in 1744, by Dutch traders, was later extended and gardens were landscaped around it.

The building was then the Governor's palace for the commander of Dutch Malabar, and later in 1909 was leased to the British. It served as the home of the British Governors, being the seat of the British Resident of Cochin during the British regime.

In 1947, when India obtained independence, the palace became the property of the state and was later converted into a heritage hotel resort. Bolgatty Palace now has a swimming pool, 9-hole golf course, ayurvedic centre and daily Kathakali performances and is a holiday destination for Indian and overseas tourists. There is in a temple dedicated to Shiva that is the first of its kind in Kerala.

The Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nation located in Kochi, Kerala, in South India. It was built in 1568 by the Malabar Yehudan people or Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin.

In 1568, the Jews of Kerala constructed the Paradesi Synagogue adjacent to Mattancherry Palace, Cochin, now part of the Indian city of Ernakulam, on land given to them by Paraja, the Raja of Kochi. The original synagogue was built in the 4th century in Kodungallur (Cranganore) when the Jews had a mercantile role in the South Indian region along the Malabar coast now called Kerala.

The first synagogue of the Malabari Jews in Cochin was destroyed in the Portuguese persecution of the Malabari Jews and Nasrani people of Kerala in the 16th century. The second synagogue, built under the protection of the Raja of Cochin along with Dutch patronage, is the present synagogue. It is called Paradesi synagogue because it was built with Dutch patronage at a time when Kochi was under Dutch occupation, thus the name paradesi synagogue or "foreign synagogue".

In 1968, the synagogue celebrated its 400th anniversary in a ceremony attended by Indira Gandhi, the Indian Prime Minister.

St. Francis CSI Church, in Kochi , earlier called Cochin, originally built in 1503, is the oldest European church in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent. The Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were removed to Lisbon.

The Chinese fishing nets (Cheena vala) are fishing nets that are fixed land installations for an unusual form of fishing shore operated lift nets. They are mostly found in the Indian state of Kerala. Huge mechanical contrivances hold out horizontal nets of 20 m or more across. Each structure is at least 10 m high and comprises a cantilever with an outstretched net suspended over the sea and large stones suspended from ropes as counterweights at the other end. Each installation is operated by a team of up to six fishermen.

The system is sufficiently balanced that the weight of a man walking along the main beam is sufficient to cause the net to descend into the sea. The net is left for a short time, possibly just a few minutes, before it is raised by pulling on ropes. The catch is usually modest: a few fish and crustaceans these may be sold to passers by within minutes.

Rocks, each 30 cm or so in diameter are suspended from ropes of different lengths. As the net is raised, some of the rocks one-by-one come to rest on a platform thereby keeping everything in balance.

Chottanikkara Temple & Lord Siva Temple

The Chottanikkara (corruption of Jyotiannakkara) Temple is a famous temple of the Hindu mother goddess Bhagawati. The temple is located near Ernakulam in the southern Indian state of Kerala and is one of the most popular temples in the state and in terms of temple architecture,this temple stands out to be an ultimate testmonial for the ancient vishwakarma sthapathis (wooden sculpture) in sculpting this temple along with Sabarimala. Bhagawati is one of the most popular deities in the area, Chottanikkara Devi is worshipped at the temple, in three different forms: as Saraswati in the morning, draped in white; as Lakshmi at noon, draped in crimson; and as Durga in the evening, decked in blue. Lord Shiva is also worshiped at the temple. People suffering from mental illnesses commonly visit the temple, as Bhagawati is thought to cure her devotees. One should not miss the 'Guruthi Pooja' in the 'Keezhkkaavu' temple at Chottanikkara. This is a ritual done at late evening to invoke the goddess. Earlier 'Guruthi Pooja' was done only on Fridays. But nowadays, it is performed everyday.

'Chottanikara Makam thozhal' is the famous religious festival temple.

Veegaland
It is the most popular amusement park in Kerala, India.

The park, which is run by the Chittilappilly family which also owns V-Guard Industries, and Wonderla amusement park in Bangalore. The park is situated on the top of a hill at Pallikkara, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the city of Kochi. The park was set up in 2000 and was designed by architect Joseph John. In April 2011, Veegaland became a part of Wonderla as part of a consolidation exercise.

Cherai Beach

Cherai Beach is located in Vypin island, Kochi, India. Cherai Beach is just 25 km from Kochi, and 30 km from Cochin International Airport. The nearest towns are North Paravur (6 km) and Kodungallur (10 km) and the nearest railway station is Aluva (20 km).

Vallarpadam
Vallarpadam is one among the group of islands, that form part of the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala. It is situated in the Vembanad Lake known here as Lake of Kochi. Vallarpadam is one of the two islands (the other being Willingdon Island) around which the Port of Kochi is situated, of which the International Container Transshipment Terminal of the port is situated entirely on Vallarpadam.

Vallarpadam Church
The Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam-Ernakulam is a famous centre of pilgrimage. People from all parts of Kerala and outside, irrespective of caste or creed go to the church to seek the blessings of Mary, the mother of Jesus, popularly known as "Vallarpadathamma".

This is an ancient Christian Church built in 1524. Portuguese merchants headed by Vasco da Gama enthroned this miraculous picture of Our lady of Ransom at the shrine. The church was dedicated to the Holy Spirit, which was the first of its kind in Asia. The beautiful church was however destroyed by a heavy flood in 1676. The church was re-established in 1676 and the famous picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected by Portuguese who brought it from their native land. The picture is believed to have miraculous powers. The Portuguese built the first church on the site of the present church in 1524. It was destroyed in a flood in the late 17th century and a new church was built on the same spot in 1676. It was declared a special church by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 and in 1951 the Union Government declared it a major pilgrim centre.

PLACES OF OTHER TOURIST ATTRACTION
Kochi Youth Hostel is the nearest destination to reach the following places of tourist attraction

» MUNNAR an enchanting high range (130 Kms.)
» THEKKADY (190 Kms.) For most fascinating natural wild life sanctuary, Periyar Tiger reserve    forest. (Wild Elephant can be seen at close quarten)
» ATHIRAPILLY-VAZHACHAL Water falls (170 Kms.)
» KALADY The birth place of Adi Sankaracharya (30 Kms.)
» LORD SREE KRISHNA TEMPLE GURUVAYOOR (90 Kms.)
» CHERAI SEA BEACH (30 Kms.) Ideal for swimming. Dolphin are often seen here.