ONE DAY TRIP IN KOCHI | PRIME ATTRACTIONS OF KOCHI (COCHIN)

At a distance of 3 km from Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station, the Marine Drive is one the most beautiful spots in Kochi City.

The Marine Drive stretches from the Jankar Jetty in the north to the Ernakulam Boat Jetty in the south. It is built facing the backwaters, and is a popular hangout for the locals. It is an important shopping centre in Kochi. The place offers wonderful views of sunset over the sea mouth. The gentle breeze from the Vembanad Lake has made Marine Drive an important tourist spot in Kochi. The 140 meter walkway passes through bridges, the Rainbow bridge and the Chinese Fishing Net Bridge. Country boats and motor boats are available at both the ends of walkway for rides in the backwaters.

At a distance of 1 km from Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station, Gallery of Contemporary Art is situated in the Durbar Hall Road near Ernakulam Shiva Temple.

The Rajas of Cochin used to conduct their durbars (meetings) in this impressive building located within the Durbar Hall Grounds. It was later converted to a museum and named after Rama Varma Parikshith Thampuran, the last official ruler of the Cochin Empire. The museum used to house archaeological findings and relics including old coins, sculptures, oil paintings and murals. The building has been taken over by the Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy and now houses the Gallery of Contemporary Art. All the exhibits of the museum have been moved to the Hill Palace museum.

Timings: 9:30 AM to 12 PM & 3 PM to 5 PM.

At a distance of 10 km from Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station, Cochin Jewish Synagogue is the oldest synagogue the Commonwealth of Nations. Located in Jew Town in Mattancherry area of Kochi city, it is also known as Paradesi Synagogue and Mattancherry Synagogue.

It is constructed in 1568 by Cochin Jewish community who mainly migrated from Middle East and Europe. The synagogue was built on a land gifted to the Malabari Yehuden community (Cochin Jews) by Kochi Rajas. It was rebuilt and renovated by the Dutch after the 1662 war, which partially destroyed it. This synagogue has Scrolls of Law, a number of gold crowns that were received as gifts, beautiful chandeliers, a brass railed pulpit, a clock tower and refines Chinese tiles hand painted in blue, are also kept displayed.

Mattancherry Bus Terminus is the nearest bus stand.

Timings: 10 AM to 12 PM & 3 PM to 5 PM. Closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.

At a distance of 10 km from Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station, Dutch Palace, also known as Mattancherry Palace is located in Mattancherry near Jewish Synagogue.

Built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of kochi in 1555 AD, it took on its present popular name 'Dutch Palace' after 1663, when the Dutch carried out some extensions and renovations in the palace. Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas and notable for some of the best mythological murals in India. The entrance to the Palace compound is through two arches which are typically Portuguese in character. The Palace with two floors built around a central courtyard follows the traditional Kerala style of architecture known as Nalukettus. From the outside, the palace looks European in character .The palace also houses Pazhayannur Bhagavati Temple, Lord Krishna Temple and Lord Siva Temple.

Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM. Closed on Fridays & National Holidays. .....

At a distance of 12 km from Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station, The Indo-Portuguese Museum situated in Fort Kochi is an important center to understand the Indo-Portuguese Christian Art heritage.

The museum was established by Dr. Joseph Kureethra, Bishop of Kochi. It is divided into five main sections according to the nature of items displayed in each section, Altar, Treasure, Procession, Civil Life and Cathedral.

The museum currently houses a piece of the altar made in teak wood from the Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen, a chasuble from Bishop's House, Fort Kochi, Processional cross, which is a combination of silver and wood from Santa Cruz Cathedral, Fort Kochi, Indo-Portuguese Monstrance from The Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen. Among the displayed items, the Coat of Arms of the Franciscans needs special mention.

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM. Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays.

At a distance of 13 km from Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station, the Santa Cruz Basilica is situated in Fort Kochi.

This church was built by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul 1V in 1558. Later the British demolished the structure and Bishop Dom Gomez Vereira commissioned a new building in 1887. Consecrated in 1905, Santa Cruz was proclaimed a Basilica by the Pope John Paul II in 1984. It is one of the 8 basilicas in India and one of the oldest churches in India.

The Church has two lofty spires and a remarkably bright, white-washed exterior and a pastel-colored interior. The interiors of the church are mostly Gothic. The columns decorated with frescoes and murals, the seven large canvas paintings on the passion and death on the Cross, especially the painting of the Last Supper, modeled on the famous painting of Leonardo da Vinci and the beautiful stained glass windows add to the artistic grandeur of the place.

At a distance of 13 km from Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station, Chinese fishing nets is a popular tourist attraction located in Fort Kochi. These are locally known as Cheenavala. The nets are located on Fort Kochi Beach.

The nets were introduced in Fort Kochi by the Chinese explorer, Zheng He. The Chinese fishing nets in Kochi Harbor were set up between 1350 and 1450 AD. The Kochi beaches are beautifully lined with Chinese nets. The nets are fixed land installations, which are used for a very unique and unusual method of fishing. Operated from the shore, these nets are set up on bamboo and teak poles and held horizontally by huge mechanisms, which lower them into the sea. They look somewhat like hammocks and are counter-weighed by large stones tied to ropes. The entire structure of the Chinese fishing nets is 10 meter in height, spreads 20 meter over the water body and is operated by a team of six fishermen.

The fishing nets are very close to Fort Kochi Bus Terminus .....

At a distance of 10 km from Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station, Fort Kochi Beach, also known as Kochi Beach is one of the finest beaches in Kerala. It is also called as Mahatma Gandhi Beach.

The main attraction of Fort Kochi Beach is the historic Fort that is the best example of Indo - European architecture. The raw and unused stretch of beach is a loner's delight, where one could swim and play. If you are lucky, you also get sight of a dolphin.

The beach is the venue for Kochi Carnival held on the New Year eve which is a colorful festival not to be missed. The Chinese Fishing Nets are located on this beach. St.Francis Church, one of the oldest churches in India is less than 1 Km from the Beach.

Nearest bus stand is Fort Kochi Bus Terminus.