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To see and do in Kochi

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Travel Guide » Asia » India » Kochi
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Kochi
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(Kerala)


Historic Port City

Kochi. The name itself conjures up images of Chinese fishing nets, spices, ayurveda and ships sailing out into the ocean. The ever vibrant, ever developing and the ever booming city! It appears to be growing daily. Distinctly different from other parts of Kerala, Kochi is everybody's delight. It is an ideal blend of the traditional and the modern. Skyscrapers and bustle of Ernakulam stand in sharp contrast to the colonial charm of Fort Kochi. The only common factor between both the areas are the red painted city buses, the yellow hooded autorickshaws and friendly people. From time immemorial, Kochi has played host to guests from far off lands. The Arabs, the Chinese, the Dutch, the Portuguese, the French, the British, all came here for trade. Though for different reasons, follow their footsteps for a peek into this slice of God's Own Country.
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To See & Do

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Historical
  Mattanchery: The Mattanchery Dutch Palace was built by the Portuguese as a gift for the local king. But the Dutch repaired it, and the name just stuck. Now a museum, the palace, like many others in Kerala, boasts of a hall full of murals narrating stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. There are also old colonial maps of Kochi and royal memorabilia. The museum is open 10 am to 5 pm everyday except Fridays. The Jew Street: The only remaining Jewish settlement in India, it is located in Mattanchery. With its cobbled pathway, neat little shops and houses on either sides, wrinkled old ladies in floral frocks, and men leaning on their canes watching people go by, you get the feeling that time just froze. Fort Kochi: A walk through this area takes you through Kochi's history. End it with the stunning sunset spectacle over the Arabian Sea. The last rays of the sun paint the waters shades of gray, orange and red, before the night wipes it all away in a single stroke. Bolgatty Palace: On a tiny island, the palace was built by the Dutch and later housed a British resident. The property has been developed into a hotel by Kerala Tourism, complete with a golf course and enchanting tree top like honeymoon cottages. Chinese Fishing Nets: From Vasco Da Gama Square, walk down the short promenade to see these cantilevered fishing nets reeling out catches all through the day. They speak of a rich legacy, handed down generations ever since traders from Kublai Khan's court left them over 600 years ago. Wellingdon Island: This island between Ernakulam and Fort Kochi is home to the Southern Naval Command. The island is entirely manmade. It was dredged out of the backwaters and the sea. It is connected to the mainland by the Venduruthy Bridge. The view from the bridge is spectacular. On the Ernakulam side, you can see the tall crane of the Kochi Shipyard, one of the major ship building yards in India and on the island side you can see the Navy vessels.

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Religious Places
  Chottanikkara Temple: It is a major pilgrim centre, just around 12 kms away from the city. Devotees believe that the mother goddess can cure mental disorders. There are buses every 5 minutes to this temple from Kaloor bus stand. St Francis Church: Constructed in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars, this is the oldest European-built church in India. It was here that the famous Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was buried for 14 years before being taken back to his homeland. The headstone still talks about this. It is closed to visits on Sundays due to the masses. Santa Cruz Basilica: This 16th century Catholic church is still in service. Masses are held every Sunday. Vallarpadam church: Situated in the Vallarpadam Island, this church is devoted to the Mother Mary. It is an old church dating back to 1522. Jewish synagogue: Originally built in 1568 and rebuilt by the Dutch in 1662, it is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. Look out for the exquisitely hand-painted blue inlaid floor tiles specially ordered in from China. What makes it more remarkable is the fact that no two tiles are similar. The synagogue is open daily from 10 am to noon, and 3 pm to 5 pm, except Saturdays and Jewish holidays.

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Festivals
  In Kochi, the seasons bring a festive cheer. Vishu: Heralds the traditional Malayalee New Year. The hue for the festival is yellow. For Hindus, it is steeped in rituals. They wake up early in the morning and look at the auspicious vision called the Vishu Kani. It is a small arrangement of yellow flowers, gold, a kind of cucumber and all things yellow in a yellow bowl. Then everyone flocks together for the Vishu Kaineetam, the token money, from the elders of the family, which is pocket money for the kids. You get a feeling that the land too is celebrating, for during this season, the kanikkonna trees (cassia trees) lining the roads bloom with bright yellow flowers. Evenings see a burst of crackers lighting up the skies. Onam (August- September): The harvest festival of Onam touches each and every Malayalee across the globe. In Kochi, the major attraction is the festive background set up by two famous temple towns - Thrikkakkara and Tripunithara. The ten days preceding Onam, sees both these towns come alive with all the festive regalia. At Tripunithara, it's Athachamayam which is a ten day run up to Onam, the day when a huge procession is taken out. It was a custom to mark the victory march of the King of Kochi and today it still retains the majestic charm. The caparisoned elephants, folk art forms, floats and musical ensembles form part of the procession. And at Thrikkakkara, the celebrations are steeped in ritual observances. It is also the time when the shopping picks up with a lot of discount sales. The end of December sees the flags being hoisted for the Fort Kochi Carnival. It is a time for unlimited fun and frolic at the beaches. It is also the time when local fairs and temporary stages for performing arts pop up along the Vasco Da Gama Square. Christmas is also special here.
 
 
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