ERNAKULAM

GENERAL INFORMATION

It is certainly the brightest stone in the diadem of the fascinating land Kerala. Cochin, 'Queen of the Arabian sea'  is set in the midst of an island studded harbour, which is a modern bustling town on the main land, Ernakulam. Cochin is a name written in golden letters in the annals of history. This is a commercial hub for merchants dealing in cashew nuts, coir, seafood, timber, tea, coffee, rubber and spices (the commodity that gave Kerala its sobriquet designation as "The Spice Coast"). Ernakulam District can well emerge as the greatest tourist destination for both Indian and international travellers.

HOW TO GET THERE :

Air	Indian Airlines - direct services to Delhi, Bombay, Chennai, Goa, Bangalore and Trivandrum.
Rail	Ernakulam junction and Ernakulam town stations are connected by rail with many important cities.
Road	Cochin is connected by road with several tourist centres and cities.

PLACES OF INTEREST :

Bolghatty Island A narrow, palm-fringed island, easily accessible from the mainland where the Bolghatty Palace is situated. The palace was built by the Dutch in 1744. Later, it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin and today this has been converted into a hotel, run by the KTDC. The palace has a golf course on its grounds.

Cochin

Cochin is the palm-green, commercial capital of Kerala and one of the finest natural harbours in the world. The enlightened rulers of Cochin with their cosmopolitan outlook, traded goods as well as knowledge with visitors from far off lands and from time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Cochin. Cochin is thus a splendid mosaic of these myriad influences.

Hill Palace Museum 13 kms from Cochin, the Hill Palace Museum displays the erstwhile wealth and prosperity of the royal family of Cochin, including the King's throne and crown. Also shown are other trappings of royalty like the majestic beds, paintings, carvings and samples of epigraphy.

Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Built in 1568 AD, the great scrolls of the Old Testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded, and the exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles are very interesting.

Also known as the Dutch Palace. Built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555 AD, it acquired the present name after 1663, when the Dutch carried out some extensions and repairs in the Palace. (At no time did the Portuguese or Dutch stay here). In the centre of the building is the Coronation Hall where the Cochin Rajas held their coronations. Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas. Adjacent rooms contain 17th century murals depicting scenes from the Indian epic, the Ramayana.  Timings: 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. Closed on Fridays and national holidays.

Mattancherry Palace

 Parikshith Tampuran Museum

The Parikshith Tampuran Museum is an archaeological museum adjacent to the Shiva Temple on Darbar Hall Road, Ernakulam. This museum features collections of 19th century oil paintings, pre-historic monuments , old coins in a numismatic gallery, sculptures in stone and plaster of Paris, copies of mural paintings and  collections from the Cochin royal family.

Pallippuram Fort

Pallippuram Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1503. It is one of the oldest existing European monuments in India. The Catholic Church at Pallippuram is an important pilgrimage centre.

St. Francis' Church, Fort Cochin This Protestant Church was built originally by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and is believed to be the first church built by the Europeans in India. Vasco-da-Gama was originally buried here. Fourteen years later, his mortal remains were taken to Portugal.

Willingdon Island A man-made island created from the material dredged, while deepening the Cochin Port. Regular ferry services on the lake surrounding the island afford an inexpensive backwater cruise.