Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica - Cochin

Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica

Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica is among the oldest churches in India and is also one of the eight Basilicas in India. 

It was built by the first Portuguese viceroy, Francesco de Almeida, when he arrived in Kochi way back in 1505. On 3 May that year, during the feast of the "Invention of the Holy Cross", the foundation stone of this church was laid and upon completion, it was christened as Santa Cruz Cathedral. 

Later on, when the Dutch conquered Cochin in 1663, they ruined all Catholic establishments except this particular cathedral and the famous church of St. Francis. In those days, the Santa Cruz Cathedral was used as an armory. It was, however, later shattered in 1795, after the British took over the city. An elaborate granite pillar of this monumental cathedral was what remained after the destruction of the Santa Cruz Cathedral. The pillar is still kept on the southeastern corner of the present Basilica. 

When Bishop Dom Joao Gomes Ferreira was appointed as the prelate of Cochin in the year 1887, he took up the initiative to rebuild this Santa Cruz Cathedral. His efforts, however, could only be realized during the reign of his successor, Dom Mateus Oliveira Xavier. Dom Sebastiao Jose Pereira, the Bishop of Damao, sanctified the new cathedral on November 19, 1905. Recognizing its historic significance, Pope John Paul II raised the status of Santa Cruz Cathedral to a Basilica, on 19th December 1984. 

Recently in 2004, this cathedral completed its five centuries of existence. The architecture of the basilica is a blend of the Indo-European and the Gothic style. The making of the pulpit and the wooden paneling of this cathedral is very impressive. Moreover, the Italian paintings dating from the time of the original foundation of the church adorning the interiors of the Santa Cruz Basilica give it a completely magnificent look.

Kodanad Elephant Training Center - Cochin

Kodanad Elephant Training Center - Cochin

Elephants are an integral part of Indian mythology and culture. In God's Own Country, elephants are often referred to as the sons of the 'Sahya' (the Western Ghats). Once a part of everyday life in Kerala, elephants are the most ornamental and auspicious animals here. No festival or celebration is complete without an elephant procession. Rows of majestically caparisoned elephants, replete with colorful silken parasols form the most spectacular part of any event in Kerala.

Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary  (Kodanad Elephant Training Center) is a rural riverside village in the Ernakulam district of the state of Kerala . Its a popular picnic spot and tourist destination in Kerala too. It is the only elephant rescue and training center in Kerala specialized for rescuing and training stranded adult and baby elephants from the forest regions across Kerala.

In the mornings at the riverside, tourists informally get a chance to experience hands-on bathe and massage of adult and baby elephants under the supervision of its Mahouts. Bathe and massage of elephants are normally done with small flat rocks, and husk of coconuts.

Kodanad offers elephant safari to the visitors at the main park. At the park, the old ‘Kraal’ is maintained to house elephants, which is a structure made of wood compartments that can accommodate up to 4 elephants.

Visitors to Kodanad Elephant sanctuary can watch feeding of elephants as nearly 80% of an elephant’s day is spent on feeding. It is fascinating to watch elephants feeding themselves in their natural environment

Watching baby elephants during their early training years of early life as it takes a lot of training in their early years. The facility is closed on Monday’s for tourists. There is also a ‘mini zoo’ that shelters wild animals which have become unfit for survival in the local forest and some inmates of the zoo are very rare species.

Watching kodanad baby elephants at their infancy and various stages of their growth has become a unique feature that attracts visitors to Kodanad. At least four to six baby elephants are brought in and trained every year. Tourists arrive at Kodanad fascinated by baby elephant’s various stages of development at the Care centre. Training plays an important role for elephants while their brains develop and they learn vital survival and cultural knowledge. The baby elephants at Kodanad are owned and taken care by the Department of Forest. Once they become adults, someone buy them out in auctions. In Kerala, elephants are used for a variety of traditional jobs such as timber loading & wood moving, or as temple elephants for religious Hindu festivals & events.

Kodanad, set on the Southern banks of the Periyar River amid the beautiful high ranges near Perumbavoor, is one of the largest elephant training centers in Kerala. Earlier elephants captured from the Malayatoor forests (the forests in the East and North of Kodanad) were trained here. Since the introduction of a ban on elephant capture Kodanad has been reduced to a training centre. The famous Malayatoor Church is near Kodanad.   Muthanga of Wayanad district and Konni of Pathanamthitta district are two other elephant training centers in Kerala. Another attraction for elephant lovers is Punnathur Kotta, of the neighbouring Thrissur district, where some 40 elephants of the Guruvayoor Temple are groomed.

Museum of Kerala History -Cochin

Museum of Kerala History

Museum of Kerala History is important scenes of Kerala history are portrayed through sculptures. Greeting the visitor outside the museum is a statue of Parasurama, the mythological sage who is said to have created Kerala.

A museum for understanding the history of Kerala and that too born out of an individual's efforts is among the few in India. The Art and History Museum complex has been the realization of Mr. R. Madhavan Nayar (1914-1996), a prominent industrialist and philanthropist. His passion for arts eventually led him to the establishment of the various units established under the Art and History Museums, which is currently managed by the Madhavan Nayar Foundation.

The Art and History Museum complex at Edappally in Kochi comprises Museum of Kerala History; Museum of Paintings and Sculptures, Museum of Indian Miniatures, Dolls' Museum and Centre for Visual Arts.

Housed in a circular domed building, the Museum of Kerala History is a sound and light spectacle. It works on a time frame, portraying the history of Kerala from early inhabitants to the modern era. Here one would come 38 life-size tableaux, each backed by multiple visuals, reflecting the cultural and social history of Kerala. This presentation is considered as the first of its kind in India.

With over 200 original paintings and 30 odd sculptures by well known Indian artists, this museum unit is spread over three floors. Some of the noted Indian artists whose works are on display here include that of Ravi Varma, M. F. Hussain, F. N. Souza, Jamini Roy, Kishen Khanna and Nandalal Bose. This museum has among its displayed items a mural painting based on the Classical Sanskrit drama Shakuntalam, done in the traditional Kerala mural style. It is 25 ft. long by 5 ft. wide and is one of the largest in Kerala, noted for its fine attention to details.

Featuring reproductions of Indian miniature art, the Museum of Indian Miniatures is yet another attraction at the Art and History Museum complex. Devoted exclusively to miniatures, the works are of Indian artists trained by Persian masters in the latter half of the 16th century during the reign of Emperor Akbar.

And in the Dolls' Museum, visitors would be greeted by a wide range of Indian dolls. This museum has a collection of about a hundred and fifty hand-crafted dolls. The dolls represent young men and women, from Gujarat to Nagaland and from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. There are brides and bridegrooms from various Indian states; dance figures representing the rich repertoire of Indian classical dances as well as folk dances in groups.

Another interesting part of the museum complex is the Centre for Visual Arts that houses about 500 reproductions of world's renowned painters like Leonardo da Vinci, Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh etc. Among the other attractions here are the huge reliefs of ancient India's sculptural masterpieces like Yakshi of Didarganj, Dwarapalaka (Ajanta) and the Woman and Parrot.

Part of the Art and Museum complex is the Projection Studio. Here screening of visuals and specialized art related subjects to interested visitors and students of art are held. It has a CD collection worth 72 hours of projection time.

Marine Drive - Cochin

Marine Drive is a picturesque promenade in Kochi. It is built facing the backwaters, and is a popular hangout for the local populace. Marine Drive is also an economically thriving part of the city of Kochi. With several shopping malls it is as an important centre of shopping activity in Kochi. The view of the setting and rising sun over the sea mouth, and the gentle breeze from the Vembanad Lake has made Marine Drive an important tourist destination in Kochi. Hundreds of people (both natives, and tourists) throng the walkway during the evenings.

Marine Drive in Kochi, is a popular hangout and this scenic stretch offers a spectacular view of the backwaters and the Kochi Harbour. The Rainbow Bridge and the International Tourism Boat Jetty Complex are other attractions here.The walkway is usually thronged by people in the evening and the view of the sun setting in the tranquil sea. At night, the place provides a picturesque spectacle with the light seeping out of the anchored ships. The cleanliness, sitting arrangements and the cool breeze from the backwaters are the other factors that draw tourists here. The beauty of the place has been enhanced by two contemporary constructions – the Rainbow Bridge and the Chinese Fishing Net Bridge.  Childrens’ Park and Subhash Chandra Bose Park are also situated near Marine Drive.  There are various boat services from Marine Drive to take you to tourist spots like the oil tanker berth, the Cochin shipyard, the Bolgatty Palace, Mattanchery Jewish synagogue, Jew Street, Vallarpadom Terminal and so on.  Marine Drive, with its many skyscrapers and shopping malls, is one of the commercially thriving areas of Cochin. Corporate offices, quality restaurants, showrooms for international names and so, on have found secured their place in the buildings adjacent to the walkway. Apart from being a shopping destination, Marine Drive has a number of apartments that are much in demand. The boat jetty that operates ferry services to various islands is situated near Marine Drive.

Jewish Synagogue -Cochin

Jewish Synagogue

Jewish Synagogue or the Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations, located in Kochi in South India. It was built in 1568 by the Malabar Yehudan people or Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin. It is also referred to as the Cochin Jewish Synagogue or the Mattancherry Synagogue. The synagogue is located in the quarter of Old Cochin known as Jew Town, and is the only one of the seven synagogues in the area still in use. The complex has four buildings. It was built adjacent to the Mattancherry Palace temple on the land given to the Malabari Yehuden community by the Raja of Kochi, Rama Varma. The Mattancherry Palace temple and the Mattancherry synagogue share a common wall.

The Paradesi Synagogue, in a corner of Jew Town, is more than a hundred years old and houses many rare antiques.  The synagogue that woos many visitors, add to the quaint charm of Mattancherry.  The synagogue, the oldest in the Commonwealth, was built by the Jewish community of Cochin. In 1662, it was destroyed by the Portguese and then reconstructed, two years later, by the Dutch.

The word Paradesi means foreigner in many Indian languages. It refers to the White Jews - A mixture of Jews from Kodungalloor, Middle East and Europe.

Enter the synagogue and the large main hall arrests your attention with display of rare antique objects that add to the grandeur of the place. The light falling through the large open windows make the sight of chandeliers and lamps more delightful. These glass chandeliers dangling from the ceiling belong to the 19th century and were imported from Belgium.

The floor of the synagogue itself is a showpiece with the paving of hand-painted blue willow patterned floor tiles. These ceramic tiles were brought from Canton, China in the 18th century by Ezekiel Rahabi, a renowned Jewish businessman. Each tile is different from one another in its design and it never fails to capture the admiration of the visitors. The marvellous construction of the synagogue is revealed in all its features including the splendid pillars.

A pulpit with brass rails is built in the center of the room. An exclusive gallery for women with gilt columns, a carved teak ark etc can be seen in the synagogue.  The teak Ark houses four scrolls of Torah (the first five books of Old Testament) and they are encased in silver and gold. Two gold crowns presented to the Jewish Community by the Kings of Kochi and Travancore are also kept here.

Another valuable possession of the synagogue is the copper plates belonging to the 4th century with inscriptions in Malayalam. The inscriptions describe the privileges granted to the community by the erstwhile Cochin king. It is written in kannadiyezhuthu script or mirror image writing. An oriental rug gifted to the Jews by the last Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie is also kept in the synagogue. 

Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) -Cochin

Mattancherry Palace

Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, Kochi, features Kerala murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi.Mattancherry Palace with its medieval charm is situated at Palace Road, Mattancherry, Kochi. It was built by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma (1537–65), Raja of Kochi, in 1555 AD.

 The palace is a quadrangular structure built in Nālukettu style, the traditional Kerala style of architecture, with a courtyard in the middle. In the courtyard there stands a small temple dedicated to 'Pazhayannur Bhagavati', the protective goddess of the Kochi royal family. There are two more temples on either side of the Palace, one dedicated to Lord Krishna and the other to Lord Siva. Certain elements of architectures, as for example the nature of its arches and the proportion of its chambers are indicative of European influence in basic Nāluketttu style.

The double storeyed palace building which stands by the panoramic Kochi backwaters has an exquisite collection of murals collectively covering over 300 sq ft of its walls. The themes of these murals have been borrowed from the great Indian epics - the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha, and mythology and legends about the Hindu gods especially Guruvayurappan. Some murals depict scenes from Kumarasambhavam and other works of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa.

The present museum was established in May 1985 housing a variety of exhibits such as portraits of the Cochin Kings, palanquins, dresses, weapons, three royal umbrellas, canopy, dolis, swords, stamps and coins etc.

The ceremonial dress of the kings with intricate lace work in golden thread woven into them is in display. Also in display are royal caps worn by the Cochin kings. The coins issued by the kings of Cochin and postal stamps are exhibited besides important plans of Cochin drawn by the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Also on display are royal paraphernalia like weapons, swings and furniture which offer a glimpse of the lifestyle of the royal family.

Mattancherry palace is located at a distance of 12 km from Ernakulam (Cochin) in Kerala State. The nearest airport is Nedumbaserry international airport. Mattancherry palace is one of the oldest examples of the Portuguese architecture with oriental influence and is unique from the historical and architectural point of view.

Hill Palace

Hill Palace
Hill palace  is the largest archaeological museum in Kerala, noted for royal collections of the erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi. 

Built in 1865, the palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala, sprawled over 52 acres of beautifully landscaped terraced land which houses a deer park and facilities for horse riding.

It is famous for the precious collection Cochin royal family.  The 1st building in the Palace is constructed in the Ettukettu model (Kerala style).

Numerous species of flora including rare medicinal plants grow here. On display in the full-fledged Ethno-archaeological museum are oil-paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings of the Kochi royal family and royal furniture including the precious gold crown fixed with the precious stones and Simhasana (throne) of the Cochin Raja.

Also exhibited are over 200 antique pieces of pottery and ceramic vases from Japan and China, Kudakkallu (tomb stone), Thoppikkallu (hood stone), menhirs, granite, laterite memorials, rock-cut weapons from the Stone Age, wooden temple models, plaster cast models of objects from Mohenjodaro and Harappa of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The museum also houses a gallery of contemporary art.

Willingdon Island - Cochin

Willingdon Island

Willingdon Island is a man-made island that was created in 1933, named after lord Willingdon a former British viceroy to India. Cochin harbor, Southern naval command, best hotels in the city, port trust head quarters, major trading centers etc are situated at Willingdon Island. 

The island is made by sand that was dredged while deepening the backwaters for the Cochin port. Sir Robert Bristow was the man that in charge of this endeavor.

Willingdon Island is connected to Kochi's mainland by road and the railway Venduruthy Bridge. 

When the British withdrew from India after independence in 1947, they left behind an indispensable and significant transport hub. During its short colonial tenure, the Wellingdon Island in Cochin handled almost one million tons of freight and by the year 1960, the traffic had almost doubled.

It is a major artificial port in India and serves as a major landmark in the Kochi city of Kerala. The Wellington Island also serves as a link between the city and some other seaports of the world.

Bolgatty Palace - Cochin

Bolgatty Palace

Bolgatty Palace is located on the island popularly known as Bolgatty Island in Cochin. Bolgaaty palace is built by the Dutch. One of the oldest existing Dutch palaces outside Holland, this quaint mansion, built in 1744 by Dutch traders.

The building was then the Governor palace for the commander of Dutch Malabar and later in 1909 was leased to the British. It served as the home of the British Governors, being the seat of the British resident of Cochin during the British regime.

In 1947, when India obtained independence, the palace became the property of the state and was later converted into a heritage hotel resort. It is encircled by a nine-hole golf course established in 1923.

Bolgatty Palace now has a swimming pool, Ayurvedic Centre and daily Kathakali performances and is a holiday destination for Indian and overseas tourists. 

Bolgatty Palace faces straight to the estuary of Vembanad backwaters and it is also close to the international marina. 

Eranakulam (Cochin)

Eranakulam

Eranakulam is the biggest metropolis in the state and the nerve centre of commercial and industrial activities, Eranakulam offers much potential for a casual or shopping spree visitor.  Cochin is known as the queen of the Arabian Sea.

From the Chinese fishing nets and heritage buildings of fort cochin to the old spice markets of Mattancherry and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Eranakulam, buzzing with hotels, cinema halls, shops and restaurant, the city combines the finest in tradition and modernity.

The name of the Eranakulam is derived from the name of vary famous temple of lord Shiva called the Ernakulathappan temple. It is also said that the word Eranakulam was drawn from Malayalam words ‘ere nall kulam’, which means ‘pond for the long time’.

Eranakulam is called the commercial capital of the state of Kerala. The Kerala high court, the office of the corporation of Cochin and the Cochin stock exchange are situated here. Eranakulam was once the capital of the kingdom of Cochin.