The tourist attractions in Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala are blending of the colonial past and the diversity of modern India.

The Europeans have left the colonial remnants in Fort Cochin, which are evident from the huge buttresses at the entrance to the place. The chief landmark in Fort Cochin is undoubtedly the St.Francis Church built in the 16th century. It is the oldest existing European Church in India. The remains of the traveler Vasco da Gama were buried there before being shifted to Portugal.

Mattanchery has a Dutch palace built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin ruler Vira Kerala Varma in 1555 as atonement for the plunder and desecration of a temple near the Raja's palace by an insolent young Portuguese officer. The palace has marvelous murals and has also incorporated episodes from the Indian Epics.

Mattancherry has a curios mixture of people. Though predominantly Muslim there are also Jews who have a pocket called the "Jew Town". They had made Cochin their home after running away from Persia in the 16th century. The humane Raja of Cochin who allotted them this land near his palace and helped them build their place of worship. The Paradeshi Synagogue was built in 1568 and it remains one of oldest synagogues in the world, with exquisite hand-painted, blue-and-white Chinese porcelain tiles and Belgian hanging lamps.

The Parishath Thampuram Museum in Ernakulam has a large collection of 19th-century oil paintings, old coins, sculptures, Mughal paintings, and temple models.Vypeen and Gundu islands boasts of a lighthouse at Ochanthuruth, good beaches, and the 16th-century Pallipuram Fort. The picture of Cochin is not complete without the mention of the Chinese fishing nets. The Chinese fishing nets are the most efficient means of backwater fishing, quite common in Fort Cochin.

Excursions from Cochin

Excursions from Cochin can be made to Thripunithura, 12 km southwest of Cochin. The Hill Palace Museum at Tripunithara houses the collections of the Cochin and Travancore royal families. Edapally, 10 km northeast of Ernakulam, has the Museum of Kerala History. In Parur, 35 km north of Cochin you will find a synagogue, a Syrian Orthodox Church, a Krishna Temple, and a temple of goddess Mookambica. Chennamangalam, four kilometers away houses the oldest synagogue in Kerala. There is also a Jesuit Church and ruins of a Jesuit College.

Festival in Cochin

The festival of Ernakulathappan, the deity of Shiva temple is an annual festival lasting for eight days. Seeveli procession with nine tuskers and Panchavadyam are highpoints of the festival. Kathakali, Ottanthullal, music concerts are presented by renowned artists. The festival concludes with the Arattu.

The Valanjambalam Devi Temple located in the heart of Ernakulam celebrates an annual festival for two days known as Thalapoli Utsavam. Decorated elephants accompanied by temple musical ensembles known, as Ezhunnallippu is an important event of the festival.


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