Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea with Kottayam and Alapuzzha districts in the east and Thrissur in the north, Ernakulam is a booming business metrololis. A Fascinating mixture of the old and the new, the district comprises many intersting cities including Kochi (Cochin), the commercial capital of Kerala. One of the finest natural harbors in the world, Kochi, renowned as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, was once a major centre for commerce and trade. The British, Arabs, Chinease, Portuduese, Dutch etc, have all come to its shores in search of exotic spices and sandalwood. Even today, Ernakulam continues the tradition of welcoming visitors with its customary warmth and hospitality.
The Chinese fishing nets in Cochin Harbor were set up between 1350 to 1450. The beaches of Cochin are beautifully lined with these Chinese nets. Chinese fishing nets abound in the Vasco-da-Gama Square near the Fort Kochi. They can also be seen in and around Bastion Bungalow, Santa Cruz Basilica and VOC Gate. Chinese fishing nets in Cochin are locally known as Cheenavala. In Cochin, the Chinese nets are suspended in the mid air all along the coast. The nets are set up on bamboo or teak poles and are basically fixed land installations. These nets are horizontally suspended over the sea, giving an appearance of huge hammock. For balance, these nets are counter balanced by stones tied to ropes. Each net spreads over an area of about 20 meters. The Chinese fishing nets in Cochin Harbor has multiple usage. They do form the main fishing accessory in Cochin, but besides this, they also form a major tourist attraction in Cochin. The water body covered with Chinese fishing net at sunset makes a soothing scene to the tourists. From Vypeen to Fort Kochi, the entire stretch is covered with Chinese fishing nets.
Fort Kochi Accessing Fort Kochi : Backwater Ferry/Bus/Autorickshaw
A leisurely walk through the city is the best way to discover historic Fort Kochi. An obscure fishing village that became the first European township in India. Kochi has an eventiful and colourful history. Its reputation as a seafaring commercial town was such that Nicolas Conti, an italian traveler of the Middle Ages remarked : If China is where you make your money, then Kochi is surely is the place to spend it. The town was shaped by the Portuguese, the Dutch and later the British. The Result of these cultural influences is seen in the many examples of Indo – European architecture that still exist here.
Jew Town
The area around the Synagogue is a centre of spice trade and curio Shops.
Mattancherry Palace/Dutch Palace
(Next to the last bus stand of Mattacherry, Open 1000 – 17000 hrs. Closed on Friday) Built the by Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch, On display here are beautiful murals depectingscenes from the epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata as will as some of the Puranic Hindu legends. The palace also houses Dutch maps of Kochi, royal palanguins, coronation robes of former maharajas of Kochi as will as period furniture. The three dimesional portraits of the Maharajas are noteworthy.
Synagogue
(Open 1000 – 1200 hrs; 1500 – 1700 hrs Closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holiday) Construced in 1568, this is the oldest synague in the Commonwealth. It is noted for its mid-18th centery, hand-painted, willow-patterned floor tiles from Canton in China, a Clock tower, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, great scrolls of the Old Testament, anceint scripts on copper plates etc. Destroyed in a shelling during the Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch.”—
Willingdon Island
named after Lord Willingdon, a former British Viceroy of India, this man-made island is surrounded by beautiful backwaters. The island is the site of the city’s best hotels and trading centers, the Port Trust and the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command.
Marine Drive
A popular hangout, this scenic stretch offers a spectacular view of the backwaters andthe Kochi Harbour. Packed with shopping malls, cinema halls, restaurants, cafes and supermarkets, the Rainbow Bridge is another attraction of Marine Drive. Showcasing quintessentially magnificent vignettes of Kerala’s rich cultural traditions, Greenix Event Management presents Kaleidoscope Kerala, an exclusive, professionally choreographed repertoire of live classical dance and music heritage theatre, legendary ritualistic fold invocations, and martial arts, event overview >> Cultural Bonaza for Fort Kochi