Ernakulam

ERNAKULAM

COMMERCIAL CAPITAL OF KERALA

Ernakulam bordering the district of Thrissur in the north, Idukki in the East, Alapuzha and Kottayam in the south, Lakshadweep Sea in the west is an amalgam of a hoary heritage and global growth of industry and commerce. For the outside world, Ernakulam is part of Kochi referred to in the history of Kerala as the Queen of Arabian Sea. The densely populated Ernakulam District embodies the achievements of the Kerala State in literacy, industry, trade and commerce. With an inclusive culture, relatively high per capita income and an unstoppable interest of the people in updating themselves of the political, economic, social and cultural happenings in the national and international spheres, Ernakulam represents the high modern phase of the Kerala society.

PLACES TO VISIT IN ERNAKULAM

Bolghatty Island

The Bolgatty Island, is a historic town, in the commercial capital of Fort Kochi in Ernakulam. The main attraction here is the palace of the same name. This island is easily accessible from the mainland. India’s one and only international marina, the Kochi International Marina, is another important part of this island.

Bolghatty Palace

n the island of Bolgatty lies Kochi’s famous Bolgatty Palace. It is one of the oldest existing Dutch palaces in the world. It was built by the Dutch traders in the year 1744 and later was extended and gardens were landscaped around it. This was at that time the Governor’s palace for the commander of the Dutch Malabar.

Cherai Beach

Bordering the Vypeen island off Cochin is the lovely beach of Cherai. It is located about 25 kilometers away from Kochi and about 30 kilometers from Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery. This beach is a popular tourist destination especially among the foreigners.It is very attractive.

Chennamangalam

Home to one of the oldest synagogues in Kerala, Chennamangalam or Chendamangalam is a panchayat in Paravur, Ernakulam, Kerala. Consisting of inlets, plains and hillocks, this place is located at a distance of 23 kilometres from Eranakulam. Jesuit church is also there.

Chottanikkara Temple

Located at about 18 kilometers away from the city of Kochi, the Chottanikara Temple is one of the famous temples in Kerala. The main deity of this temple is Goddess Bhagavathy, who is worshipped in three avatars or forms of Saraswathy (Goddess of Knowledge) in the morning, Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) in the noon and Durga .

Coonan Kurishu Shrine

The Coonan Kurishu Shrine or the Bent Cross church is one of the well known churches of Kochi. The church is located in between a row of shops in one of the busiest streets of Kochi, which is Mattancherry. This shrine, in the year 1653 was the venue where almost 25,000 Syrian Christians assembled and tied long ropes to the ancient cross at Mattancherry.

Dutch Cemetery

Forming an evidence of Kochi’s connection with the Dutch is the Dutch cemetery at Fort Kochi. It was sanctified in the year 1724 and till date contains almost 104 epitaphs and tombs, containing authentic details of the Dutch and British people buried there. Seeing all this, visitors who come here are reminded of the foreigners who came to Kochi.

Hill Palace Museum

Kerala’s first heritage museum and also the largest archaeological museum, the Hill Palace Museum at Tripunithura of Kochi, Kerala, is one of the must visit places at Kochi. Built in the year 1865, this museum houses the royal collections of the erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi. Showcasing the traditional Kerala architecture..