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ABOUT KOCHI
( COCHIN )
COCHIN - Queen of Arabian sea
- Undoubtedly the commercial hub of Kerala, the city of Cochin is where ancient civilization gracefully
mingles with modern life. Right from the early years, Cochin has had cultural and trade relations
with the outside world. she had also experienced pulsating episodes of European colonial rivalry. Cochin is the palm-green commercial town of Kerala and one of the finest natural harbour in the world,
Kochi has earned the sobriquet "Queen of the Arabian Sea". Here you can see the oldest church in India. The ancient temples,
churches and synagogues in this district are of special interest to the rchaeologists and historians
 From time immemorial,
Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese sea fares followed the sea route to Kochi and left their impression on the town.
A Jewish community with roots going back to1000 AD, a 16th century synagogue and a palace built by the Portuguese and given
to the Raja of Kochi which was later renovated by the Dutch are part of Kochi.
Kochi port is one of the largest in
India. All the islands that make up Kochi are well connected by Ferry. Bridges and roads connect Ernakulam with Willingdon
Island and the Fort Kochi/ Mattancherry. The Portuguese Fort is situated on the northern end of Vypeen Island at Pallipuram.
The Chinese fishing nets, a method of fishing established in Kochi during the times of Kubla Khan can be seen at Fort Kochi.
Kochi International Airport is situated at a distance of 35 kms from town.
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.
Kerala is one of the most prosperous state of India, flanked by the Arabian Sea on the western side and the Western Ghats
on the eastern side. Roughly speaking Kochi is 10 º North and 76 º East.
Facts : Area : 87.341 sq. Kms
comprising
of mainland Ernakulam; Old Cochin including Mattancherry, Fort Cochin, Palluruthy and Thoppumpady; Willingdon Island; the
suburb of Edappally and the northeast and Tripunithura to the southeast.
Time : GMT - 5.30 hrs = IST
Altitude : Sealevel 
Language : Malayalam - official language. English is widely used.
Religions : Hindu, Christians, Muslims, Jains,
Jews and Sikhs.
Climate : Summers are hot, winters mild. The summer temperatures (March to May) vary from 35 degree
C to 22.5 degree. Winter months (December to February), the mean temperature is 20degree C. Cochin experiences both, the southwest
monsoons from June to September and the northeast from October to December. The average rainfall is 3099 mm with 132 average
annual rainy days.
Season:
The best time to visit is between October and March.
Electricity : 220 volts, 50Hz
Accommodation : Hotels
range from 5 star to tourist lodges.
Smoking : Smoking in public places including roads are prohibited by law.
Visa
extension for expatriots: The Commissioner of Police, Cochin city (Tel : + 91 484 2394770)
Tourist information offices
:
Govt of India Tourist office, W.Island, Cochin. Tel: 91 484 2668352.
KTDC reception centres , Shanmugham Rd, Cochin.
Tel : 2353234
Tourist information centre, Ernakulam Jn Railway station - Tel: 2378723
Tourist Information office,
old Collectorate, Cochin. Tel: 2381743
GO AROUND
Tourist Cabs: standard taxis are available in any stand and premium vehicles are also
available with almost all tour/travel operators.
Private city buses: The most common mode of transport, these buses
are very crowded during the peak hours and should be aware of pickpockets.
State Transport Buses: The Kerala Road
Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates shuttle, long distance and interstate express and super fast services. Interstate services
of the Karnataka and Tamilnadu State Road Transport Corporations are available from the KSRTC Main Bus Stand. Buses to Guruvayoor,
Kodungaloor, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Madras (Chennai), Mangalore, Madurai, Velankanni etc. are also operated.
Boats: Services of the government and private ownership are available from High court jetty and Main
jetty at Park Avenue to various places.
Trains: Cochin is connected to various parts of the country by the Indian
Railways,Trains are accessible from ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town railway stations.
Air: Cochin International
airport is located 25 kms northeast of the city at Nedumbassery. International and domestic flights are available.
Cochin International Airport Limited contact details
(Telephone Numbers: +91- 484 - 2 610115/2611322/2610033)
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
POLICE
Crime Stopper :1090, 100
FIRE:
2355101, 101
HOSPITALS
General Hospital, Ernakulam : 2361251
Government Hospital : 2224444
Amrita
Institute of Sciences & Research Centre : 2339086
Ernakulam Medical Centre : 2807101 - 06
Indira Gandhi Co-Operative
Hospital : 2206734,2204110
Medical Trust Hospital : 2371852- 59
24 HOURS PHARMACY
Oriental Pharmacy : 2366463
Medi Lab : 2368963, 2371031 |
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ATTRACTIONS
CHINESE FISHING NETS: At the entrance of the harbor, these fishing nets
are a fascinating sight. These fixed, cantinevered fishing nets along the backwaters, were introduced by traders from the
court of KublaiKhan.
BOLGHATTY
ISLAND: This long narrow
palm-fringed island, easily accessible from the mainland, is where the Bolgatty 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 into a hotel under Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. The palace has a golf course on its grounds
SANTA CRUZ CATHEDRAL: Roman catholic church situated close to St. Francis church. Some beautiful paintings can be seen here.
JEWISH SYNAGOGUE: Built in AD 1568. 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 of interest. Two hundred years old, no two tiles are alike. There are also five
finely wrought gold and silver crowns gifted to the synagogue by various patrons. Timings: 1000 to 1200 hrs and 1500 to 1700
hrs.
D UTCH PALACE: Also known
as Mattancherry palace. Built by the Portuguese and presented to the
Cochin Raja in AD 1555. It acquired the present name in 1663 after the Dutch carried out some repairs and extensions to the
Palace. 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 : 1000 to 1700 hrs. Closed on Fridays and national holidays.
HILL PALACE MUSEUM : Displays
articles of archeological importance like royal beds, paintings, epigraphy, carvings, arms etc... Timings : 0900 to 1730 hrs.
Closed on Monday.
COCHIN MUSEUM : 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.
MANGALAVANAM BIRD SANCTUARY: Believe it or not 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. Mangalavanam is located right next to the High Court of Kerala.
FORT KOCHI BEACH
: A stroll
along the beach, particularly at sunset with the chinese fishing nets and sailing ships in the background is a memorable experience.
Many European style bungalows can be seen along the shoreline. The coastal stretch has loads of small stalls, which make on
demand mouth-watering traditional cuisines using freshly caught fish.
KALIKOTTA PALACE, Tripunithura : As the name suggests, this beautiful,
imposing building - a legacy of the Dutch rule - served as an entertainment auditorium to the erstwhile royalty featuring dance,
drama and plays.
VEEGALAND, Veega Land is South
India's largest amusement park situated 14kms from Cochin.The park includes a range of attractions including
mini castles, water theme park, ferris wheel, rides, slides, shows and fountains. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the fun
and activities. this unique amusement park offering a world of non-stop fun and
adventure
CHERAI
BEACH: This lovely beach ideal for swimming is located
on the north end of Vypeen island, one of the many small islands just off the mainland. The beach is lined by gorgeous coconut
groves and paddy fields. Vypeen can be reached by land or water. 
KATHAKALI PERFORMANCE: See
India Foundation,The Cochin Cultural Centre and Art Kerala organises Kathakali performances every evening. Kathakali is a traditional danceform of Kerala
and the impressive facial expressions, hand gestures and dance moves will leave one spellbound.
PARIKSHITH THAMPURAM MUSEUM:
 The Rajas of Cochin used to conduct their
durbars in this impressive building in the Durbar Hall grounds. The building has now been taken over by the Kerala Lalitha
Kala Academy and now houses the Gallery of Contemporary Art.
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