Location: South India in state of Kerala
Famous For: Backwaters, Beaches, Ayurveda, Temples
Places of Interest: Jewish Synagogue at Mattancherry, St. Francis Chruch, Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi Beach
Temperature: Summer Max 35 Min 22, Winter Max 32 Min 20
Rainfall: 254 cm (June to October)
Ideal Time to Visit: October to March
Language: Malayalam, English

An Over all View Of Cochin
The city of Kochi (Cochin) submerging in the towering splendor of coconut and palm trees with incessant blue waters is one of the most luxuriate city in South India. Known as the commercial hub of Kerala Cochin is a charismatic town with lush green meadows and promptly industrializing environs.

Cochin enjoys the privilege of being among the few states of India having its own natural harbor. From uncountable centuries the city was the center of maritime trade facilitating trade to many countries. The stretched sea cost is equipped with rows of antiquated Chinese fishing nets, showing Kerala's age-old trade with country of China.

Historic Perspective
Cochin, the mercantile center of Kerala has a great historical significance. Portuguese arrive to Kerala for trade and settled here in 16th century in the Fort Cochin area. The sight now lies in the World Heritage Zone.

As a main trading point since Roman times, the city lies on the main trade route between Europe and China. Cochin is divided into 3 main zones, embellished with Fort Kochi, Willingdon Island and Ernakulam. Fort Kochi engrosses the South projection on the seaside of the Bay. Next the Willingdon Island established in 1920 by scooping the bay for the ships to enter the harbor. Ernakulam lies athwart the causeway from Willingdon Island on the opposite side of Bolghatty Island, a stretched confined peninsula.

Charms of Cochin
Jewish Synagogue at Mattancherry
Jewish elegant Synagogue was constructed in the year 1568 with the arrival of the Jews in the south of Kerala. The structure is highly bedecked with crystal a chandelier that sparks as the light falls on them and designed wood carvings with blue and white ceramic tiles.
Timing: open from 10 am to 12 noon; 3pm to 5pm, closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.

Dutch Palace, Mattanchery
The Palace was constructed by the Portuguese during the 16th century and is situated at Palace Road. This palace is distinguished for some of the peerless legendary artistic scene in India. The walls of chambers of the palace are engraved with the entire story of Ramayana. The palace is also embellished with some of the finest specimens of traditional Kerala flooring that gives the imitation of sparkling black marble but eventually it is a amalgam of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant juices and egg whites.
Timings: Open to Tourists - Saturday to Thursday from 10 am - 5pm, Closed on Fridays and National holidays.

St. Francis Church
One of the most famous church of India is just 2km from the main city at the west of Mattancherry situated at Parade Road. The church was the first to be built on the pattern of European architecture. Vasco - da Gama was initially buried in St. Francis Church cemetery, later on after 14 years the remnant were taken to Portugal. In 1663 the church was renamed as St.Francis.
Timings: Sunday services are at 0800 hrs, except the 3rd Sunday in each month. Opens from sunrise - sunset.

Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi Beach
The south of India was having trade with the country of China during 14th century from the court of Kublikhan. These Chinese fishing net were introduced during that time. One can enjoy fisher men at work on the sea cost and the appropriate application of these net can be viewed either on the north end of the cape, a few meters from Fort Kochi, or from a boat tour of the harbor.

Hill Palace Museum
The Palace was the erstwhile residence of the royal Kochi family. The Hill Palace is at the distance of 10 km from Kochi and was contrived in 1865. The palace complex is embellished with 49 structures depicting typical traditional style of architectural splendor of Kerala. The Palace also treasures gold crown engraved with precious stones, 13 galleries of oil paintings, 19th century paintings, artistic scene, sculpture in stone and manuscripts are exhibited.
Timings: Open from 9.00 am to 12.30pm; 2pm to 4.30pm, Closed on Mondays and National Holidays.

Excursion
Munnar
136 km, Kottayam- 76 km and Alleppey - 64 km makes an excellent excursion from Cochin. Munnar is just a 5-hour drive from Cochin that brings one into dense woods hills penetrating through rubber and spice and tea plantations. Alleppey is another attraction for the tourist offering a world famous palm fringed beach resort. Massive sailboats, long ferryboat and tiny rowboat used to transport children to school are common sights on these backwaters.

Kaladi
45km: Nestling on the bank of river Periyar, Kaladi is a famous pilgrim center. Here 2 temples are dedicated to Adi Shankaracharya a renowned Indian Philosopher, as this place is also marked as his birthplace.

Aluva
Aluva, 21 km from Ernakulam is small town famous for its annual Shivarathri festival. The devotees from far and wide visit the place and pay homage to their ancestors.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady) 190 km, Aluva-21km are other important excursions from Cochin.

Boat Rides-Back Water Cruises
Motor boat rides
Sight seeing cruise conducted by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation is a great source of excitement among the visitors. Some of the trips organized are-
a) Trips are available at 9pm and 2pm from Sealord Jetty. Duration 3 hours each.
b) Sunset Tour at 6pm from Sealord Jetty.
c) Trips to Alappuzha. Duration 5 hours

Country Boat Ride
KTDC conducts village backwater cruises on country boats this cruise offer glimpse of the rural life with its toddy tapping, fishing and coir making activities.
Duration - 4 hours.

Festivities
Temple Festival
(Jan-Feb). The festival is celebrated at the Siva Temple in Ernakulam over a period of 8 days. The processions of elephant are taken out along with folk dance and music performances. On the last day of the festival there is a fabulous display of crackers, enjoyed by every visitor.
Timings: Starts at 7.00 in the morning and ends up with display of fireworks at 2.00am in the morning.

Indira Gandhi Boat Race
(December): The boat race is organized at Ernakulam every year along with the tourism fair. Several snake boats participate in the first round and first few are selected for the finals. Tourist from all over the world comes to enjoy this one of the most famous events of Kerala.

Athachamayam
(August- September): It marks the beginning of the Onam festival organized at Thirpunithura and Piravam. Processions of ornamented elephants and a variance of floats are the other attractions on the festival.

Shopping
Cochin offers its visitors with diverse variety of shopping charm. The city is famous for its metal ware, camel-bone carvings, and woodcarving articles. The things made up of coconut shells, bamboo cane and grass mats are quite famous among the tourists and are in great demand. The major shopping centers are on M.G.Road, Government emporium- Kerala State Handicraft and the Marine Drive including Broadway. Shops open at 10 a.m. and close around 8 p.m. Generally all shops remain close on Sundays

Getting Around
Air: Indian Airline flights connects Cochin to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram. The city is also well connected to some of the Gulf countries- Dubai, Muscat.

Rail: Cochin/Ernakulam is connected by rail to all the major cities in India.

Road: By means of road ways the city is well connected with Alleppey- 64 km, Kanniyakumari- 309 km, Kodaikanal- 444 km, Chennai - 694 km, Madurai- 324 km, and Thiruvananthapuram- 223 km.

Sea: The Kerala Inland Water Transport Corporation operates regular sea voyage to almost all the ports in India. To Alleppey in -7 hrs and Quilon- 8 hrs. Cochin also operates tours to Lakshadweep Islands from Mid-Sept. to Mid-May.