ERNAKULAM

Area: 2407 sq Km

Population: 3105779

Altitude: sea level

Access:

Air: Cochin international airport

Rail: Ernakulum Junction

Ernakulum is located in the cost of Arabian sea, this district is a blend of old and the new. It is the commercial capital of Kerala an upcoming metro. World wide Ernakulum is known by Cochin (colonial name of the district). While checking the history of Cochin, it has a rich Historical background, with the British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese and the Dutch all coming to its shore in search of exotic spices and sandal wood.

Cochin has been rated in the top the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism council and featured in National Geographic traveler’s “50 greatest place of a lifetime”. Due to varied influences, Cochin has always been the most cosmopolitan of Kerala’s cities with a fascinating blend of cultures. Cochin is blessed by one of the finest natural harbors in the world and got the name “Queen of the Arabian Sea”

There are several places in and around Cochin which is having monumental value such as the Jewish Synagogue the Chinese fishing nets and the Dutch palace.

Must Dos in Cochin:

• Fort Kochi:

If you want to walk through history, if you want to walk through the colonial streets visit the small and beautiful fishing village in Cochin “The Fort Kochi”. It is one of the earliest European townships in the country. It is patronizes since 16^th centaury by traders , visitors, conquerors from Portugal , Holland, England, the heritage town carries all their footprints in various monuments, mansions, churches etc more than 500 year old.

• Jewish Synagogue:

It can be arguable that, Kerala is the only place on earth was Jews did not face persecution and were accepted with open arms. The synagogue is located in Mattanchery was built in 1568is the oldest in the common wealth countries, noted for its 18^th century Chinese floor tiles Hebrew inscriptions and old testament scrolls. The site for synagogue was gifted to the Jews by the 16^th century Travancore King.

• Portuguese and Dutch palaces:

The palace is built by Portuguese in 1557 and renovated by Dutch in 1663. Bolgatty palace is another Dutch mansion built in 1744 is located in the beautiful island called Bolgatty.

Other places to visit in Cochin:

• Salim Ali sanctuary
• Kumbalangi Tourist Village
• The Marain Drive
• The Hill Palace – Museum Thripunithura
• Kaladi, the birth place of Sri Adi Shankaracharya
• Cherai Beach
• The Malayattoor Hill (St. Thomas Church)            
• Bhoothathankettu
• The hillocks of Kottayil Kovilakam
• The historical church Santa Cruz Basilica
• The Durbar Hall Art Gallery & the Durbar Hall Ground
• Kodanad