About Kochi (Kochi City Information)

Cochin, which is now known as Kochi is the commercial capital of Kerala. It is a place which is blended with historical places, palaces, forts, old churches, beaches, backwaters, snake boats races, Kathakali, museums and the convenience of a big city with towering buildings and business centers. With serene backwaters, beautiful lagoons, wooded isles and a magnificent landscape, Cochin is indeed the Queen of the Arabian Sea.

Cochin is a world of palm trees and breaking waves at the south -eastern tip of the Indian peninsula. With serene backwaters, beautiful lagoons, wooded isles and a magnificent landscape, setting sun on the beaches of Cochin, Cochin is indeed the Queen of the Arabian Sea.

Another gateway into India, Cochin has been in cultural and trade contact with the outside world right from its early years. Cochin, has one of the finest natural harbours of the world. Cochin, today is one of the largest and most important city in Kerala. It is also known to be the second most important city on the western coast of India. Kochi is also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea.

Across its bay and on the islands are the sleepy coconut villages of Vypin, Bolghatty and Vallaradom. It is a city with a glorious cultural past. Kochi is located in the center of Kerala covering about 87,341 sq. km with a population which comes upto approximately 12,00,000. The language which is spoken here is Malayalam.

Best Season
The climate is moderate throughout the year and the temperature ranges from a minimum of 22.5oc to a maximum of 35oc in the summer and from a minimum of 20oc to a maximum of 32oc in the winter. The ideal season of visit is between September and May. The city is pretty clean with the local authorities doing a good job in maintaining it in that way.

Being situated very close to the sea, Kochi has a moderate climate. Heavy showers are experienced during the months June, July and August due to the South-West Monsoon. The North-East Monsoon brings light rainfall during the months September, October, November and December. December to February is pretty cool. The annual rainfall is about 310 cm . In summer the temperature rises to a maximum of 35 ºC while in winter it is around 25 ºC .

Location
Kochi (Cochin), the Queen of the Arabian Sea, is situated on the west coast of India in the beautiful state of Kerala. Kochi can be regarded as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala.

Places to see

Dutch Palace- Mattancherry
Dutch Palace was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in AD 1555. It acquired the present name after 1663 when the Dutch carried out some extensions and repairs. In the centre of the building is the Coronation Hall where the Cochin Rajas held their coronations . Rooms adjacent contain 17th century murals depicting scenes from the Indian epic the Ramayana. Open daily from 1000 to 1700 hrs, closed on Friday and national holidays.

Jewish Synagogue- Mattancherry
Jewish Synagogue was built in 1568. The Great Scrolls of the Old Testament, the Copper Plates on which the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand-painted tiles are of interest. Open daily from 1000 to 1200 hrs. and 1500 to 1700 hrs : Closed on Saturdays and on Jewish holidays.

Fort Kochi beach
A stroll along the beach, particularly at sunset with the Chinese fishing nets and sailing ships in the background, is a fine experience. Many European style bungalows can be seen along the shoreline.

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
This bird sanctuary is situated right in the heart of Kochi city. It is the home of many exotic and rare varieties of migratory birds. Museum of Kerala History The museum has on display life size statues of many famous personalities and several paintings depicting Kerala.

Palliport (Pallipuram) Fort
It is the oldest European fort built in India.

Parikshith Thampuram Museum
The museum is situated near the famous Siva Temple, Ernakulam. It houses a treasure of archaeological findings and relics including old coins, sculptures, oil paintings and murals.

The Parikshith Thampuram Museum, the State Archaeological Department, and the Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy Gallery of Contemporary Art are of interest along the Durbar Hall Road which branches eastwards from the southern end of Park Avenue.

Collections of 19th century oil paintings, old coins, sculpture in stone and plaster of paris, copies of mural paintings, etc. Collections from Cochin royal family are also among them. Timings : 0930 to 1200 hrs and 1500 to 1730 hrs. Closed on Mondays and national holidays. Admission is free.

St. Francis Church- Fort Cochin
The Protestant church was built originally by the Portuguese in AD 1510 and is believed to be the first church built by Europeans in India. Vasco de Gama was originally buried here. His mortal remains were taken to Portugal after 14 years.

Santa Cruz Cathedral- Fort Cochin
Roman Catholic church situated close to St. Francis Church. Some beautiful paintings can be seen here.

Chinese Fishing Net- Fort Cochin
These Chinese fishing net is fabulous. At the entrance of the harbour these nets along the backwaters are a fascinating sight.

Bolghatty island- Bolghatty
A long narrow palm-fringed easily accessible from the mainland. The Bolghatty Palace is situated here. It was built by the Dutch in 1744. Later it became the seat of the British Resident and now it has been converted into a hotel under KTDC. The palace has a golf course on its grounds.

Bolghatty Palace
This Dutch palace is situated on the Bolghatty island. At present it is being used as hotel. The island has a fine golf course and the panoramic view makes it an attractive picnic spot. Frequent boat service is available from the mainland. Chinese Fishing Nets The Chinese fishing nets found here are the only ones of its kind in India. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here. Click here to view a picture of the Chinese fishing nets found here.

Willingdon Island
Willingdon island is a man-made island created with the material dredged while deepening Cochin port. Regular ferry services on the lake surrounding the island afford an inexpensive back-water cruise. The Government of India Tourist Office is situated here. The Southern Naval Command Headquarters of India, the seaport, airport, railway terminus, important offices of the port, and the customs house are all located on this Island.

Parishath Thamburan Museum- Ernakulam
Collections of 19th century oil paintings, old coins, sculpture in stone and plaster of paris, copies of mural paintings, etc. Collections from Cochin royal family are also among them. Timings : 0930 to 1200 hrs and 1500 to 1730 hrs. Closed on Mondays and national holidays.

Hill Palace Museum- Thripunithura
Displays articles of archeological importance such as the royal bed, paintings, epigraphy carvings, different varieties of arms, etc.

Museum of Kerala History Edapally, (Pathadipalam) Ernakulam
Various changes in historical and Cultural spheres which happened in Kerala for the past 4000 years are beautifully exhibited through the statues. Visiting time 1000 to 1600 hrs. Closed on Mondays.

Gundu island
The best part of a visit to Cochin is a boat-ride through the backwaters to the various where the local crafts like coir-mat making can be seen.

Marine Drive & Broadway
Marine Drive is gradually catching up as another busy retail centre. The lively GCDA Commercial Complex along the waterfront features a kaleidoscope of several business establishments and other institutions, boutiques, supermarkets, fast foods, and cafes. Luxury apartments, elegant hotels, and office buildings are located on either side of the main Shanmugham Road which terminates at High Court Junction on northern end, where the Ram Mohan Palace - the seat of the Kerala High Court - is situated. An evening stroll along the water-side promenade is a favourite pastime. Broadway - narrow despite its name - running parallel to the east of Shanmugham Road is among the city's oldest and busiest shopping streets, where the best buys include clothes and spices.

Park Avenue
The green lung of the metropolis so to speak, the well-shaded, tree-lined Park Avenue gets its name from the beautifully laid-out parks on its western side overlooking the backwaters of the Vembanad Lake and having impressive views of Cochin harbour. The ancient Siva temple, old government buildings, the General Hospital, the main boat jetty, the Cochin Corporation office, the District Court, and some of the city's finest educational institutions are located alongside this picturesque boulevard.