Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kochi page 1

and merchant, Pedro Alvarez Cabral, The British dynamited the fort in dropped anchor at Kochi in 1500, 1806. Kochi is filled with colonial-style Kochi accompanied by Franciscan and houses, charming despite their age and Featured in National Geographic Dominican friars and Jesuit groaning staircases. One mansion to missionaries. Vasco da Gama gape at is the Thakur House, a private Traveller's '50 greatest places of a followed in 1502. He died in 1524 and property made famous as the home lifetime' under the 'Urban Space' was interred in St Francis’ Church, the of the protagonists of producer Ismail category, Cochin has carved an oldest European church in . Merchant’s film Cotton Mary. Built by impressive niche for itself. It is the the Dutch as a club, the house — first European colonial settlement Famous For : City once known as Kunal Bungalow — in India and is also known as the Conflicting claims assign the overlooks the sea and is said to have Gateway to . When you’re Surrounded by the Western Ghats and the church variously to St Francis of Assisi underground passages. here, do visit the LuLu Mall, Kerala Arabian sea, Kochi or Cochin was formed as and to St Francis Xavier, who visited Kathakali Centre, Kerala Folklore an ancient port city after the Great Floods of Kochi in 1542. Now under the Church the Periyar River. Historically rich in culture, of South India, it shelters the grave of Vasco Museum, Chottanikkara Temple the city has witnessed settlements ranging da Gama. His remains, though, and Amusement Park for from the Portuguese to the Chinese. Besides were exhumed and removed to a fun-filled trip. being a fast developing commercial and Lisbon. Look for the 16th-century Built in 1667 to guard the harbour, it industrial hub, the city also possesses an palm leaf deeds of the Thampuran, granting commands a panoramic view of the undeniable vigour. A perfect starting point Portuguese nadhuvazhi (middle-rung sea. Believed to have tunnels, it is before exploring the vast diversity of Kerala. feudal lords) status and rights, and now the sub-collector’s residence. It the Doop Book, a register of baptisms stands on the old fort’s Stomberg and marriages. As you emerge from Bastion, which once supported the church, to the left is the Parade cannons. Malabar House, at the Before you start exploring, pick up Ground, where European soldiers corner of the crescent to your right, a map of Kochi and the conducted drills. Past the ground and has a Dutch colonial façade worth –Fort Kochi pamphlet from down the road is the Dutch Cemetery, admiring. It was the residence of the a KTDC office. The latter has a walking where the first grave was laid in 1724. Grindlays Bank manager during the tour map of  and island British era. The building has been cruise schedules. Fort Kochi has The tombstones here, located on the converted into a heritage preserved its history well and shores of the Arabian Sea, provide hotel. From here, turn right and come presents a vivid panorama of a time glimpses of Kochi’s Dutch past. A little to the waterfront on Road. This Pdf and its contents are copyright © when traders and warriors landed on beyond the cemetery is the only 2013,ixigo.com, all rights reserved. ixigo logo, the character and all other marks displayed herein are registered and/or common law trademarks of her shores. All the places in the fort surviving fortification of ixigo.com and/or third parties. area are close to each other, on the the Portuguese — Fort Immanuel, seafront. The Portuguese traveller around which the town once grew. Built in 1506, the Dutch Governor Kochi Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kochi page 2

Van Goens occupied it in 1663. The they seized Fort Kochi. In 1887, a too is now a heritage hotel. The renovated in the Burgher style. Visit it Diocese of Kochi eventually acquired new church was built on the vacant only proof of Chinese influence for the intricate and beautiful murals it for Bishop Dom Jos Ferriera, whose site. in Kerala is the huge cantilevered that adorn the walls. The themes control extended over Sri Lanka, cheenavalas or Chinese nets, have been picked up from the epics Burma and Malay. Within its premises hung from teakwood and bamboo and the murals have been executed is the Indo-Portuguese Museum. The Beautiful paintings on the ceiling poles. in vegetable and mineral dyes. The Dutch force, considerably smaller recall the Sistine Chapel. In 1984, temple of the tutelary devi of than the Portuguese, found Pope John Paul II proclaimed it a the Kochi rajas stands in the it impossible to service the fort basilica. Backtrack and take the first These can be seen off Vasco da Gama courtyard. The Jews, who arrived as and reduced it to a third, taking right turn. Turn right again and you Square. It was Kublai Khan’s traders during Solomon’s reign, care, however, to retain the main come to Delta Study, built in 1808, traders who introduced these nets to preserved their uniqueness, unlike buildings. VOC, the emblem of the once the property of the Swiss Volkart the local fisherfolk sometime the Arabs who adopted Indian Dutch East India Company, is carved on a Company. Turn and head towards the between 1350 and 1450. Ma Huan, a traditions or the Chinese who left large wooden gate called the VOC lagoon. On the left you’ll find a house diplomat accompanying Chinese these shores. Gate, built in 1740. The gate, on the with a red façade, inconspicuously admiral Cheng Ho (1371–1433), far crescent of the Parade Ground, tucked away. The red house was a provided the first reference to Kochi. watches over the entrance to Studer Portuguese mansion bought by He wrote, “The fishermen are tourist- Hall, which once housed Dutch Samuel Koder, the ancestor of several friendly and will happily let you join When To offices. old Jewish families of Kochi. It was them. Stalls serve delicious constructed in 1808 and exemplifies  and tender the way various coconuts.” Standing between a VISIT European architectural designs were synagogue and a church, the Calvathy

Walk past the VOC Gate and venture assimilated to create a style truly Jamaath Mosque on Calvathy Road http://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-kochi-lp-1138144 behind St Francis’ unique to Kochi.  blends effortlessly with the Church. Diagonally opposite to the landscape. Jan right, you’ll see Vasco House, one of Walk down Rose Lane to get an Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. the oldest surviving Portuguese idea of its architecture. A wooden Built by Arab traders, it favours the Max: 31.5°C Min: Rain: bungalows, believed to have been the bridge spanning the lane connects Kerala style of architecture and it’s 23.10000038 32.2999992370605 1469727°C 5mm home of Vasco da Gama. If you look two sections of the house. You’ll also worth going there for the view from from the road, the typical Portuguese see the Old Courtyard, once a part of the outside. Visitors are not welcome Feb staircase will be evident through the Koder House, now a heritage hotel. inside. Another must-see is the Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. Max: Min: Rain: windows and balconies. On the right Next to it is the Old Harbour House.  Palace (1555), gifted by 31.79999923 24.10000038 24.2999992370605 side of Bastion Street stands Santa Built over the ruins of a Portuguese the Portuguese to the Thamburan as 7060547°C 1469727°C 47mm Cruz Basilica. Built as a church by the hospice in 1808, Old Harbour House a gesture to make up for their Mar Portuguese, Pope Paul IV elevated it was once a bungalow owned by Carrit governor looting the Pallurithi Temple Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. to a cathedral in 1558. The British Moran (a tea brokerage company). It in 1542. The palace was later demolished it in 1795 when Kochi Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kochi page 3

Max: Min: Rain: Max: Min: 24.0°C Rain: the Island. The centre of the beach 32.40000152 25.39999961 39.0999984741210 30.39999961 422.100006103515 Bishop's House, Fort Kochi, Kerala, 5878906°C 8530273°C 94mm 8530273°C 6mm sees some activity, but as you venture out 682001, India Apr Nov further, it becomes more and more quiet. Indo-Portuguese Museum has the history of Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, There are a number of restaurants and umbrella. umbrella. resorts situated on the beach. If you come Portuguese which has a influence on the Max: Min: Rain: Max: Min: Rain: 135.0mm here during early dawn or dusk, you can deccan city of Kochi, which goes back a long 32.79999923 25.70000076 103.699996948242 31.10000038 24.10000038 706055°C 2939453°C 19mm 1469727°C 1469727°C catch the fishermen in action. The Chinese way. But when the city's bishop, Dr. Joseph Kureethra, saw that the marks left by the May Dec fishing nets are a popular attraction here. If Portuguese were being stamped out in the Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. you are looking for a happening beach party mad rush of modernity, he decided to umbrella. Max: 31.5°C Min: Rain: place, this beach will not really make the list. Max: Min: Rain: 23.10000038 40.4000015258789 It only becomes somewhat crowded during protect this history, and thereby preserve 32.20000076 25.60000038 270.799987792968 1469727°C 06mm 293945°C 1469727°C 75mm the weekends, otherwise it is frequented by the rich cultural heritage of Kochi itself, by building the Jun the locals and lone tourists.  Indo-Portuguese Museum. The museum Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, What To umbrella. served the purpose of both removing his Max: Min: Rain: Archdiocese from danger and acting as an 30.10000038 24.29999923 615.900024414062 1469727°C 7060547°C 5mm SEE important source of knowledge for the 5 Sights future generations in understanding the Jul If you feel like swimming, be careful of the significant of the Portuguese Christian Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-kochi-lp-1138144 undertows. They get pretty strong especially umbrella. around the centre of the beach. The waters culture which till today remains enmeshed Max: Min: Rain: 1 Beach are comparatively calmer and safe for kids with the city's own culture. The museum is 29.29999923 23.70000076 516.099975585937 an impressive domicile of priceless artifacts 7060547°C 2939453°C 5mm on the beach ends. is also quite popular for Dolphin sightings. Schools belonging to the Indo-Portuguese era, and a Aug of dolphins could be seen chasing small superior collection of art and architecture of Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, umbrella. boats or somersaulting in the water, which the city which was so conspicuously Max: 29.5°C Min: Rain: 330.5mm make for a very enjoyable experience. But influenced by the Portuguese style. The 24.10000038 building is divided into five separate 1469727°C all said, the beach is a photographer's delight with long stretches of sand, clumps sections viz. Procession, Civil Life, Altar, Sep of palms and coconuts, an abandoned Treasure and Cathedral. Some of the pieces Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, which hold the place of pride in the museum umbrella. fishing boat or two and a lone ship sailing Max: 30.0°C Min: Rain: away in the distance silhouetted against the are a 16th century teak wood altar from the 24.20000076 283.799987792968 Church of the Lady of Hope, a 19th century 2939453°C 75mm sun. chasuble, a 17th century silver and wood Kochi, Kerala 683514, India Oct 2 Indo-Portuguese Museum processional cross belonging to the Santa Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, Cruz cathedral and an antique monstrance umbrella. An ideal spot to spend some alone time, from the 18th century. The coat of arms of Cherai Beach is a nice and clean beach on Kochi Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kochi page 4

the Fransiscans is pretty popular amongst looking for more from this centre, a curio attempt to expand their territory. The Kalthil Parambil La, Ernakulam, the tourists. If you venture down into the shop and a book shop are there to ease that cemetery is more than 280 years old and Kochi, Kerala, 682004, India basement at urge to shop for some unique Keralan was consecrated in the year 1724. Today it is Indo-Portuguese Museum, you will find the souvenirs. Do visit the looked after by the St. Francis CSI Church in If you are interested in the world-renowned remnants of the fort walls. A visit to Kochi Greenix Village and take a walk through the Fort Kochi. Amongst the 104 tombs, lie the Kerala traditional dance form, Kathakali, this will be incomplete without going through its . Be ready to have an names of some of the eminent Europeans is the place to head to. Sea India Foundation history. insightful and enriching tour of the who had a major hand in changing the is a dance theatre which stages small-scale museum, for your knowledge of Kerala and history of not only Kochi, but of the whole Kathakali performances. The shows typically 3 Greenix Village its culture will surely increase after looking world. If you wish to visit concentrate on the dance's cultural and at the amazing displays there. Watch a Dutch Cemetery, you can ask the church for religious aspects. For those who don't have mesmerizing session of the ever-famous permission to open the gates for viewing. In much idea on Kathakali, here's a small brief. Kathakali dance or increase your love for fact, there had been so many such requests Kathakali, according to societal views, is a Kerala with the audio-visual cultural history and visits made especially by European dance form which goes back to the 17th at the museum. If you want some benefits tourists, that over the years the laterite century and is inspired from for your health, join the morning yoga stones and the plaster covering the tombs 'Krishnanattam', another traditional dance classes. had disintegrated. The church spend a form, which essentially showcases the fortune restoring the tombs back to its old accounts and instances from the life of Lord 4 Dutch Cemetery look. The original calligraphic inscription of Krishna. Originally there were 101 stories '1724' carved on the entrance of the that were depicted via the dance form, but modern Kathakali covers only around 30 of Greenix Village, Kalvathy road, Fort- cemetery is still preserved, along with the them. Famous for the elaborate and Kochi, Kerala, 682001, India surrounding thick walls. Unlike other modern cemeteries, the tombs do not bear colourful make up of the performers, From Kathakali to Mohiniattam and various crosses but are structured in the typical Kathakali has become a more refined and other dance forms, the art and culture of Dutch architecture pertaining to that period, aesthetic dance form over the years. It has Kerala will charm you and beckon you to with Dutch inscriptions carved on them. A five basic elements of 'Natyam' or come and visit record of all the people buried here is expressions, 'Nritham' or dance, 'Nrithyam' Greenix Village again and again. What could maintained by the church. or enactment/mudras, 'Geetha' or a song be more convenient than going to a center accompaniment, and 'Vadyam' or an which has all that comprises of the rich 5 Sea India Foundation instrumental accompaniment. cultural heritage of Kerala. Consider it as your doorway to this amazing legacy of Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala, 682001, Kerala. A huge complex for cultural India Where To activities, this place has two huge theatres The oldest European cemetery in India, that hold dance performances. Besides this, Dutch Cemetery is a solemn reminder of the Eat there is also a Kalaripayattu Training Centre, hundreds of Dutch and English soldiers and 5 Places that shows the famous martial arts merchants who lost their lives in their http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-kochi-lp-1138144 performances of the state. And, if you are Kochi Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kochi page 5

enjoy the place with a cup of freshly 1/293, Lilly Street, Fort Kochi, Kochi No. 40/9646, Chittoor Road, 1 Kashi Art Cafe grounded coffee and superb tea. Did we tell 682001, India Pullepady, Ernakulam, Kerala you, they serve breakfast at any time of the 682018, India day. +91-97464-59244 +91-484-2353983 If you think that finding good North Indian 2 Oceanos Restaurant food in the sourthern states of the country If you are in Kerala, you should not go back is as hard as finding water in a desert, then without trying authentic Keralan cuisine at we would like to very happily break it to you Frys Village Restaurant. Having a meal of that Keralan dishes will leave you with an Dal Roti is going to amaze you. It is what any experience, that you will definitely cherish Kashi, Burgher Street, Fort Cochin, North Indian food lover would want. From for the rest of your life. If you are a non- Kerala, 682001, India curries to Biryanis, from thalis to seafood vegetarian and have a soft-corner for seafood, this is the perfect place for you. +91-484-2215769 prepared in a North Indian style, the place has everything. The restaurant is basic and Savour those delicious, freshly prepared Built in 1997, Kashi is an art cafe cum you will not find anything out of the dishes, from Pollichathu ( a kind of Keralan restaurant in the city of Kochi where being a ordinary, agreed. But, the food is just dish, prepared using banana leaves) to laid back and casual place takes a whole amazing and you are not going to pay any simple fried fish. You will fall in love with the new meaning. You can spend great time at attention to anything else for sure. cuisine of Kerala! this place just by sitting and chatting with Elphinstone Residency, Beach Road, your friends and of course the great food is Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala 682001, Also, the quantity of every serving at 5 Subhiksha always there to complement it. India Dal Roti is quite generous which is anyway +91-484-2218222 an added advantage for the pocket. How can we forget desserts! From Raj Bhog to Oceanos Restaurant is a multi-specialty Gulab Jamun and from Rasmalai to Gajar Ka seafood restaurant at Fort Kochi, specialized Halwa, this place will keep on surprising you The western breakfast and lunch is in Mediterranean Seafood delicacies. It is a with the sheer variety that it has to offer till something that you must try out at this part of the Elphinstone Residency the time you move out of the place. The place. Kashi is the best place where you can hotel.  Here, you make  tables in front of the verandah are a hit have the perfect combination of great your  own menu by picking up from a among the locals and the tourists alike. ambiance with cheap and awesome food. variety of fresh fish, tiger prawns, lobster, Interestingly, the restaurant's location on And when we talk about the ambiance of and other rich seafood from the day's catch, Lilly Street is also a plus point, being a BTH Bharat Hotel, Square, Durbar the place, we cannot miss the surrounding at their seafood counter. popular area of the city. Hall Road, Pallimukku, Kochi, Kerala beautiful art pieces which give such an ease 682016, India to the place. Amazingly creative, this is the 3 Dal Roti 4 Frys Village Restaurant +91-484-2353501 place where you will experience the best of both worlds, Food and Art. Do not forget to Subhiksha is a popular eating out place for Kochi Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kochi page 6

mouth-watering vegetarian dishes. Check out the thalis of this restaurant and you will be lost in the aromas of pure Indian delights. Apart from this, there is also a coffee shop, for that famous Keralan coffee! Kochi Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kochi page 7

Quick LOCATE

http://www.ixigo.com/hotels-in-kochi-lp-1138144

See A: Cherai Beach B: Indo-Portuguese Museum C: Greenix Village D: Dutch Cemetery E: Sea India Foundation Accommodation F: Bens Homestay G: Pavana Homestay (annex) H: Warm Stay Retreat I: Bens Homestay J: Pavana Homestay (annex) K: Warm Stay Retreat L: Bens Homestay M: Pavana Homestay (annex) N: Warm Stay Retreat Food O: Kashi Art Cafe P: Oceanos Restaurant Q: Dal Roti R: Frys Village Restaurant S: Subhiksha