Ernakulam
: Places of Interest
» Dutch Palace, Mattancherry
This Palace was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin
in 1555 A.D. Though built by the Portuguese, it is popularly known as the 'Dutch
Palace' as the Dutch renovated it during their short lived reign here.
The palace is well known for its mural paintings which are noted for their high
level of excellence. These paintings represent scenes from the epics Ramayana
and Mahabharatha. The paintings cover a wide range of themes from the 'Puthra
Kameshtiyagam' to Rama's return to Ayodhya after vanquishing king Ravana of
Lanka.
They cover nearly 300 sq. feet of wall surface. In the central courtyard of
the Palace is the temple dedicated to Panhayannur Bhagavathi In the Coronation
hall ,there is a display of dresses and palanquins used by the rulers of Cochin.
The Palace is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days except Fridays and National
holidays.
» Jewish Synagogue
This synagogue built in 1568 A.D., was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1662 and
rebuilt by the Dutch two year after Scroll of Old Testament and a number of
the Copper Plates inscribed in the Hebrew script script are preserved in the
synagogue. The synagogue is open from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and from 3 p.m. to
5 p.m. excepted on Saturdays and Jewish holidays
» Kanjiramattam Mosque
It is believed that this Mosque was erected over the mortal remains of Sheikh
Parid.
It was here that the Great Muslim Saint Baver is believed to have paraid and
attained eternal bliss. The Kudikkuthu Festival which Falls in December-January
attracts thousands of devotees the Mosque is situated at Kanjiramattam 30Km
Away from Kochi there are Private buses to Kanjiramattam from Ernakulam.
» St. Francis Church
at Fort Kochi
It is India's oldest European built Protestant church. The Church was built
in 1503 by the Portuguese Franciscan friars. It became an Anglican Church after
the occupation of Kochi by the British in 1795. Vasco da Gama, the first European
to reach India, died in Kochi in 1524 and his tomb Stone can be seen inside
the Church even though his mortal remains were transferred to Portugal 14 years
later.
» Cochin Carnival
Cochin Carnival is a merry making feast observed during the last week of every
year in Fort Kochi. Its origin goes back to the Portuguese New Year revelry
here during the colonial days. With unique games, competitions and illumination
during these days, Fort Kochi puts on a festive look. The highlight of the Carnival
is the massive procession on the New Year Day. The procession is led by a caparisoned
elephant accompanied by drums and music, spectacular floats, different folk
art forms, Panchavadyam etc.
» Santa Cruz Basilica
at Fort Kochi
Built in 1902, this magnificent Church has a fantastical and bewitching interior.
» Chinese Fishing
nets, Fort Kochi
The Chinese fishing nets are a fascinating sight to us. These nets, at the entrance
of the harbour and along the backwaters with pivots of wood, were introduced
by traders from the court of Kublai Khan in 1350AD.They can be seen all along
the backwaters of Kerala.
» Hill Palace Museum,
Tripunithura
It is the largest archeological museum in Kerala. Set on top of a hillock, this
prodigious palace-turned-museum displays 13 categories of exhibits, including
paintings, carvings and other royal antiquities donated by the Cochin and Travancore
royal families and the Paliam Devaswom. The Heritage museum located on the rear
side of the palace buildings, familiarizes with the traditional lifestyles of
ancient Kerala. As part of the establishment of a mini zoo, a deer park with
spotted deer, sambar and peacocks is run by the Society for the Preservation
of Hill Palace Premises.
The museum premises has also been converted into a botanical garden with exotic
tropical trees from Central America to Australia.
» Willington Island
This is a man made island created from the materials drudged while deepening
the Cochin Port. Lord Bristow was the architect of this island. There are frequent
ferry and bus services to this place from Ernakulam. The Harbour , Airport and
Harbour Railway Terminus are in this island.
» Ernakulam Siva
Temple
This temple is situated at the centre of the town, near the Durbar Hall Grounds.
The presiding diety is Lord Siva and the annual festival in the temple is celebrated
for eight days during January - February every year. The festival is rounded
up with the Aarattu procession when the image of the diety is taken for a sacred
bath in the temple pool . A cultural festival is also held with a variety of
programmes of music concerts , Kathakali, etc., as part of celebrations.
» Thirumala Devoswam
Temple, Mattancherry
This is one of the temples of Gowda Sarawatha Brahmins. The presiding diety
is Lord Venkatesha.There are two main festivals in this temple which are celebrated
for eight days each during March-April and November-December respectively every
year. The festival is rounded up with the Aarattu procession when the Chakra
Snanam the sacred bath is conducted in the temple pool.
The main specialty of this temple is that it has the second largest brass Bell
in Asia.
» Bolghatty Palace
This long narrow palm-fringed island, easily accessible from the mainland is
where the Bolghatty Palace is situated amidst 15 acres of lush green lawns.
Built by the Dutch in 1744, it became the seat of the British Resident later.
In 1976, the palace was converted to into a hotel under the Kerala Tourism Development
Corporation. The palace has a golf course on its grounds.This island is connected
by frequent ferry services with the mainland Ernakulam. Boats to this island
start from the High Court Jetty.
Country boats(Machuvas) can also be hired near the Jetty.
Kerala Must See › Alappuzha
› Ernakulam › Idukki
› Kannur › Kasaragod
› Kollam › Kottayam
› Kovalam › Kozhikode
› Malappuram › Palakkad
› Pathanamthitta › Periyar
› Thiruvananthapuram ›
Thrissur › Wayanad
