Cochin
One of India's major ports and largest naval base, the city of Cochin
(now known as Kochi) comprises of a cluster of tiny islands and narrow
peninsulas, boasts of a wealthy historical past. It consists of mainland
Ernakulam, Fort Cochin and Matlancherry on the southern penisula,
the islands of Willingdon, Bolgathy and Gundu and Vypeen island. All
the above-mentioned areas are linked. By Ferry and bridges also serve
as a link between Ernakulam and Willingdon Island, Fort Cochin/ Mattancherry
peninsula.
Kerala's airports (domestic and international) lies at a distance
of 30 km from Kochi at Nedumdasseery dregded up when the harbour was
deepened during British rule. Some top-end places for a accomodation
are there.
Tourists prefer the town of Fort Cochin for a hault. The town , a
blend of Portugese, Dtuch and English influence, is home to India's
oldest European-built church, St. France's Church built by the Portugese
in 1503. After his death in 1524, Vasco da Gama lay buried here for
14 years before his mortal remains were taken to Lisbon. The harbour
of Fort Cochin was a principal port on the spice trade-route between
India and other countries of the world. It was the home of Chinese,
Dutch, Portugese, British traders, as well asa Jews (descended from
those who fled Palestine 2000 years back).
There is the huge catholic Santa Cruz Basilica, built in 1902 and
the Indo-Portugese Museum (set up with the aid of Gulbenkian Foundation
of Portugal). The dutch cemetry, concreted in 1724, contains many
European graves. The area is famous for the fixed, cantileved Chinese
fishing nets, introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan.
Cochin was ruled by the successive powers of Portugese, Dutch and
finally British. The Jews have been living here since a long time,
through their number has dwindled considerably at present. Under the
patronage of then Hindu King of Cochin, Raja Ravi Verma, the jews
built their settlement along with a synagogue (1568). Unfortunately,
the synagogue (at Matlancherry) was destroyed by the Portugese in
1662 and reconstructed two years after during the Dutch take-over
of Kochi. The area surrounding the synagogue, one of the centres of
the Kochi "spice trade" is known as Jewtown. The quaint locality has
numerous curio shops lining the street leading to the synagogue.
The Matlancherry Palace lying on the sea-shore, was built by the Portugese
in 1555 and presented to the raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Verma (1537-61)
as a gesture of goodwill to compensate for their destructive activities.
There is a regular ferry-service between Matlancherry and Fort Cochin
jetly via Willingdon. The boat which comes as a part of KTDC's package
trip also takes this route. On a day's tour, you can visit Fort Kochi,
Matlancherry and the island of Bolgathi, in a well-decked launch KTDC.
The palace at the latter has been converted to a top-end hotel. Ferry-service
from Ernakulam goes to bolgathi. In between Ernakulam, Willingdon
at Bolgathi lies the back-water, called Vembanad Lake locally.
Ferries are the major mode of transpart between the various parts
of Kochi and the best way to explore the numerous lovely islands near
and far. KTDC's motor-boat will take you on a sunset tour programme.
Bookings can be made in advance. You have to stay in Cochin for atleast
3 days for a sight-see tour. The world famous Kathakali Dance recital
can be seen at Kathakali kendra (Eranakulam) or Kochi cultural centre
(at Durbar Hall Road, Kochi).
Note
You can roam about in Cochin with the local people in the ferries.
Boats for Fort Cochin, Matlancherry and Willingdon depart from Ernakulam's
mainboat-jetly. A few Km away, boats from the jetly near the High
Court will take you to Bilgathi, Vypeen etc. Alternatively you would
love to travel in tiny local boats called "machuba".
KTDC's
conducted tour of Cochin
1. Two trips of about 3 and 1/2 hours duration each (9 a.m to 2 a.m)
in bus or motor boat local sight-seeing.
2. Sun set tour (1/2 hours) in motor-boat, starting at 5.30 p.m.
3. 2 trips of village backwater cannot tour in local boats (3 and
1/2 hours), starting at 8 a.m and 2.30 p.m. Apart from these local
trips, you can pay a visit to far away places like Kaladi-Athirapalli
or Bhaja waterfalls. The bus departs every sunday at 8.00 in the morning,
and comes back at 7.30 in the evening. A trip to Periyan Wild-life
sanctuary for two days is also organised.
Note
You can buy KTDC tours tickets from the booking-counters at Ernakulam,
(near the Sealord jetly) Fort Cochin etc.
Accomodation
KTDC's top-end hotel Bolgathi Palace (435503) provides excellent accomodation
for Rs 2000 and above. Private hotels at Ernakulam
Rs
200-300
Hotel Hakoba (369839), Blue Nile (355277), Piazza Lodge (367408),
Gita Lodge (352136), Udipi Anantha Bhavan (3822071), Swagath, Priya
Lodge, Bijli's Tourist Home (381881), Queen Mary Tourist Home, Mayur
(354262), Megha Rs 250-450 Hotel Luciya (381177) Sea King (355341)
Maple Tourist Home, Queen Residency (365775), Orchid (319133)
Rs 350-600
Hotel KK International (366010) Paulson Park (382179) Airlines (366633),
Woodlands (368900), Aiswarya (364454).
Private hotels
at Fort Cochin
Rs 200-350
Elite Hotel (225733), Grace Tourist Home, Tharavadu Tourist Home (226897),
P.W.D Rest House.
Rs 250-400
Royal grace Tourist Home (223484), Port View Lodge, Adam's Inn (229495).
In Ernakulam you can put up at railway retiring rooms and youth hostels.
How to go?
Cochin is connected by air with major cities like Chennai, Bangalore,
Mumbai, Trivandrum etc. Ernakulam has two stations-Ernakulam Junction
and Ernakulam Town. Reservations for both have to be made at the former.
There are trains from Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata (Howrah) etc.
Also trains regularly run from Thiruvananathapuram via Kollau and
Kottayau to Ernakulam.
Did you know?
The Dutch Palace of Matlancherry was not built by the Dutch at all.
It was constructed by the Portugese (1555) and offered as a gift originally
to the Hindu rulers of Cochin. The dutch renovated the palace in 1663,
hence its name- the Dutch Palace. There is a pagoda -like temple of
Bhagwati Padayanneur in the countryard. There are spendid murals,
depicting scenes from the Ramayana,Mahabharata and Puranic legends.
The erstwhile coronation hall of the rajas now houses a meseum. The
actual Dutch palace at Bolgathy has presently been converted to a
KTDC hotel after renovation.
Note
While travelling by local ferry across Vembanad lake, you will be
greeted by dolphins. If lucky enough, you can find them swimming the
near harbour also. |
