Tourism in Kerala

Ernakulam is the green commercial capital of Kerala with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. From here, ships set sail for foreign ports with pepper, sea food, rubber and coir. From times immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Cochin and left their impression in the town. The harbour is the nucleus around which Cochin has grown to become the Queen of the Arabian Sea

Ernakulam district formed on 1st April 1958 carving areas of erstwhile Travancore-Kochi-Malabar kingdoms. Major portion of the district is from the Kochi kingdom. The district consists of the mainland Ernakulam, the man made Willington Island, Mattanchery, Fort Kochi, world's most populous area of Vypeen Island, Bolghatty Palace etc. Kochi is the most modern city of Kerala where the best shopping, markets and bazars are located.

From time immemorial Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi and left their impressions in the town. The Chinese fishing nets, believed to be erected in 1350 AD, swaying in the breeze over backwaters, the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, Portuguese Architecture, Bolghatty Palace etc. enrich the heritage of Kerala.

The word Ernakulam was drawn from a Tamil word Erayanarkulam means abode of Lord Shiva's.

The present Ernakulam District include Paravur, Aluva, Kochi, Kanayannoor, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Kothamangalam Taluks which come under Fortkochi and Muvattupuzha Revenue Sub Division. Prior to the formation of Idukki District, Thodupuzha Taluk was also a part of Ernakulam District. Ernakulam District was formed on April 1st 1958. The District which has an area of 895.3Sq.K.M. can be divided geographically as Highland, Midland and Coastal area. The altitude of Highland is about 1000 feet.

The borders of the district are the Arabian Sea in the West, Thrissur District in the North, Idukki District in the East and Alappuzha and Kottayam District in the South. Periyar, Kerala's second largest river flows through all the Taluks except Muvattupuzha. Muvattupuzha river and a branch of Chalakkudy river all gifts of this District. Average rainfall yearly is 3431.8 mm and 139 rain days. As there are rivers, lakes and seas the region has a moderate climate. Temperature is between 31.3oCand 25.8oC . Many types of sands and soil and also rocks which are geological importance is abundant here.

Majority of islands in Kerala are in Ernakulam district which was from different parts of old Cochin-Travancore-Malabar area. The main islands of this district all man-made Willington Island,World's most populated Vypeen Island, Cheriya Kadamakkudi, Valiya Kadamakkudi, Ramanthuruthu, Ponjikkara, Vallarpadam, Kumbalam, Panangad, Cheppanam, Nettoor, Pizhala, Kankattuthuruthu, Korampadam, Cheranelloor, Chathanadu, Chendamangalam. All these islands are populated areas. All these islands are believed to have formed from the soil accumulated due to soil erosion of highlands.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND KOCHI

Dutch Palace, Mattancherry
This Palace was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin in 1555 A.D. Though built by the Portuguese , it is popularly known as the 'Dutch Palace' as the Dutch renovated it during their short lived reign here.

The palace is well known for its mural paintings which are noted for their high level of excellence. These paintings represent scenes from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha. The paintings cover a wide range of themes from the 'Puthra Kameshtiyagam' to Rama's return to Ayodhya after vanquishing king Ravana of Lanka.

They cover nearly 300 sq. feet of wall surface. In the central courtyard of the Palace is the temple dedicated to Panhayannur Bhagavathi In the Coronation hall ,there is a display of dresses and palanquins used by the rulers of Cochin.

The Palace is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days except Fridays and National holidays.

Jewish Synagogue
This synagogue built in 1568 A.D., was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1662 and rebuilt by the Dutch two year after Scroll of Old Testament and a number of the Copper Plates inscribed in the Hebrew script script are preserved in the synagogue. The synagogue is open from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. excepted on Saturdays and Jewish holidays

Kanjiramattam Mosque
It is believed that this Mosque was erected over the mortal remains of Sheikh Parid.

It was here that the Great Muslim Saint Baver is believed to have paraid and attained eternal bliss. The Kudikkuthu Festival which Falls in December-January attracts thousands of devotees the Mosque is situated at Kanjiramattam 30Km Away from Kochi there are Private buses to Kanjiramattam from Ernakulam.

St. Francis Church at Fort Kochi
It is India's oldest European built Protestant church. The Church was built in 1503 by the Portuguese Franciscan friars. It became an Anglican Church after the occupation of Kochi by the British in 1795. Vasco da Gama, the first European to reach India, died in Kochi in 1524 and his tomb Stone can be seen inside the Church even though his mortal remains were transferred to Portugal 14 years later.

Cochin Carnival
Cochin Carnival is a merry making feast observed during the last week of every year in Fort Kochi. Its origin goes back to the Portuguese New Year revelry here during the colonial days. With unique games, competitions and illumination during these days, Fort Kochi puts on a festive look. The highlight of the Carnival is the massive procession on the New Year Day. The procession is led by a caparisoned elephant accompanied by drums and music, spectacular floats, different folk art forms, Panchavadyam etc.

Santa Cruz Basilica at Fort Kochi
Built in 1902, this magnificent Church has a fantastical and bewitching interior.

Chinese Fishing nets, Fort Kochi
The Chinese fishing nets are a fascinating sight to us. These nets, at the entrance of the harbour and along the backwaters with pivots of wood, were introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan in 1350AD.They can be seen all along the backwaters of Kerala.

Hill Palace Museum, Tripunithura
It is the largest archeological museum in Kerala. Set on top of a hillock, this prodigious palace-turned-museum displays 13 categories of exhibits, including paintings, carvings and other royal antiquities donated by the Cochin and Travancore royal families and the Paliam Devaswom. The Heritage museum located on the rear side of the palace buildings, familiarizes with the traditional lifestyles of ancient Kerala. As part of the establishment of a mini zoo, a deer park with spotted deer, sambar and peacocks is run by the Society for the Preservation of Hill Palace Premises.

The museum premises has also been converted into a botanical garden with exotic tropical trees from Central America to Australia.

This is situated 12 Km. away from Ernakulam on the Ernakulam-Chottanikkara route. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. on all days except Mondays and National holidays. There are frequent private buses from Ernakulam to this place.

Tripunithura was the head Quarters of the Maharaja of cochin and his palace and his palace. The Pooorna Trayeesha Temple at Tripunithura is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and there are two festivals every year each lasting 8 days the most important festival falls in November -December and on the last day of the festival the image of the deity is taken out in an impressive procession on beautifully caparisoned elephant."Athachamayam" is celebrated here 10 days prior to Onam August-September the national festival of Kerala.

A Cultural festival is held as the part of the Celebrations.Tripunithura is situtated 10 km away from Ernakulam and is connected by frequent Private buses to this place.

Willington Island
This is a man made island created from the materials drudged while deepening the Cochin Port. Lord Bristow was the architect of this island. There are frequent ferry and bus services to this place from Ernakulam. The Harbour , Airport and Harbour Railway Terminus are in this island.

Ernakulam Siva Temple
This temple is situated at the centre of the town, near the Durbar Hall Grounds.

The presiding diety is Lord Siva and the annual festival in the temple is celebrated for eight days during January - February every year. The festival is rounded up with the Aarattu procession when the image of the diety is taken for a sacred bath in the temple pool . A cultural festival is also held with a variety of programmes of music concerts , Kathakali, etc., as part of celebrations.

Thirumala Devoswam Temple, Mattancherry
This is one of the temples of Gowda Sarawatha Brahmins. The presiding diety is Lord Venkatesha.There are two main festivals in this temple which are celebrated for eight days each during March-April and November-December respectively every year. The festival is rounded up with the Aarattu procession when the Chakra Snanam the sacred bath is conducted in the temple pool.

The main specialty of this temple is that it has the second largest brass Bell in Asia.

Bolghatty Palace
This long narrow palm-fringed island, easily accessible from the mainland is where the Bolghatty Palace is situated amidst 15 acres of lush green lawns.

Built by the Dutch in 1744, it became the seat of the British Resident later. In 1976, the palace was converted to into a hotel under the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. The palace has a golf course on its grounds.This island is connected by frequent ferry services with the mainland Ernakulam. Boats to this island start from the High Court Jetty.

Country boats(Machuvas) can also be hired near the Jetty.

Parishith Thampuran Museum
This is situated on the Durbar Hall Ground on the D.H.Road,Ernakulam. Collection of 19th centuary oil Paintings,old coins, sculpturesin stone and plaster of Paris and copies of mural painting are exhibited here. An Art Gallery is also functioning at the museum building.

It is open form 9.30a.m to 12 noon and from 3 p.m to 5 p.m on all days except Mondays and national holidays.

Chennamangalam
It was the seat of Paliath Achan,the heriditory Prime Minister of the erstwhile state Cochin from 1632 to 1809. It was one of the chief center s of the Jew in Kerala and there is an Oriental Jewish synagogue in the old Jews colony. In the vicinity of the Jewish Colony, once stuid the famous Vaipinkotta Seminary built in the 16th century by the Portuguese the remains of the seminary are still visible. The old Syrian Catholic Church established in the 1201 is near the euin of the seminary.

Near the synagogue and the church there is a temple and mosque. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The Jewish and Muslims cemetries are located near the temple. The existence of the Synagogue, the Church, the Mosque, and the Temple in very dose proximity to one another provides ample proof of the prevalence of communal harmony in this part of Kerala in oldest days Chenamangalam is an important center for handloom weaving and coir manufacturing. The annual fair called "Mattachanda" (Barter Systems) is held here on the eve of Vishu(in April) Chenamangalam is situated 42Km away from Ernakulam and 5Km away from north Parur. There are buses from Ernakulam to North Parur and Chenamangalam is connected north parur by frequent bus services.

Kalady
Kalady is the birth place of Sri Sankaracharya, the Great Indian Philosopher who lived in the 8th century it is situated on the banks fo river Periyar there are two Shrines in memory of Sri Sankaracharya One dedicated to him as Dakshinamoorthy and the other to the Goddess Sharadha. The ancient Sree Krishna Temple situated here was the family temple of Adi Sankaracharya. Adi Sankaras shrines in kalady are open to all pilgrim's irrespective of religion or caste.

The nearest is Kochin, 48Km's from kalady and thenearest railway station are Angamali (10 Km) and Aluva(23Km) only limited number of trains stop at Angamaly.

Kalady is connected by road with important cities in south india there are frequent buses to kalady from Angamaly and Aluva.

Art Complex - Madhavan Nayar Foundation, Edappally
This museum is the only one of its kind in Kerala. The complex consists of the Gallery ofPaintings and Sculptures which presents over 200 original paintings by contemporary Indian Artists, some of them internationally acclaimed and works of reputed Indian sculptors. The Centre for Visual Arts is reserved for authentic reproductions of selected world masters from Leonardo da Vinci to those of the present century.

The centre also exhibits certain larger-than-life mural reproductions of ancient Indian Art It is located at Edappally, 10 Kms. north of Ernakulam, on the Ernakulam-Aluva road. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. on all days except on Mondays and public Holidays.

Indira Gandhi Boat Race
As part of the tourism fair celebrated every year during the last week of December, a boat race is organized at Ernakulam. Several snake boats vie with one another to win the coveted trophy. This boat race with its heart throbbing rhythm of drum music provides an unforgettable experience.

Pallippuram Fort
Pallipuram fort was built by the Portuguese in 1503. It is one of the oldest existing European monument in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold it to the State of Travancore in 1789. This fort is situated in the northern extrimity of the Vypeen island at Pallipuram. The Catholic Church at Pallipuram is an important pilgrim centre for the christians. From Vypeen there are frequent buses to Pallipuram.

Vypeen is connected by ferry with Fort Cochin and Ernakulam.

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