A Guide to Kochi | The Pretty Port of Kerala | Cochin Tourism
Kochi or Cochin, also known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea,” is a haven for vacationers who are on the hunt for unique and amazing experiences while they are away from home. Kochi is often regarded as one of the best places in the world to spend a vacation since it offers guests the opportunity to gain an intimate familiarity with the prehistoric, ancient, and modern periods. In point of fact, Kochi is situated in the state of Kerala, sometimes known as “God’s own land.” It is the city’s financial hub due to its status as one of the most important port cities in the country, which also features a flourishing information technology sector in addition to a wide range of other commercial enterprises. This global city has everything that can draw visitors year-round, including the amenities of a big city, spectacular natural beauty, exceptional culture, and more. It is a destination that has it all. Tourism in Kochi will never fail to meet its guests’ expectations, regardless of whether they are going on an exciting journey or a peaceful vacation.
Significance of Kochi in History
The first time that the history of Kochi was ever written down was during the colonial era in the fourteenth century. In point of fact, Kochi was the very first settlement that the Portuguese established in Europe. Following in the footsteps of the Portuguese, the city was conquered by the Dutch and then the British, who established a princely state within its borders. Because it was the most important port city of the period, Kochi was widely recognized as the most important center for the spice trade. The majority of the spice trade was conducted by Chinese, Jewish, Syrian, Arab, and Greek merchants. According to historical accounts, the Chera Kingdom came to an end in the 12th century, making way for the establishment of the Kochi Kingdom.
The enormous number of merchants, the majority of whom were Jews, who came to this place and stayed here for a variety of reasons over time was the distinguishing characteristic of this particular location. The Portuguese were the first people to control Kochi until it was later conquered by the Dutch and then the British. As part of the terms of the Anglo-Dutch treaty that was signed in 1814, the Dutch government was required to hand over control of Kochi to the British government. Willington Island, the largest man-made island in the world at the time, and a significant modern port both began to emerge in the city while it was still under British control.
Following India’s declaration of independence, the Kochi Maharaja gave his approval for Travancore-Kochi to become a part of the Indian Union. As a result, Travancore-Kochi became a part of the Indian Union in the year 1948. During your trip to Kochi, make sure you set aside some time to appreciate the city’s historic beauty.
Kochi’s Geographical Significance
Kochi may be found in the southwestern most part of the Ernakulam district. An unusual feature of Kochi’s geography is that the majority of the city’s areas are located at sea level, and the city itself has a shoreline that extends over 48 km. The stunning natural beauty of the backwaters around Cochin is another factor that contributes to the city’s overall attractiveness and lures visitors from all over the world. Due to the fact that the majority of the city is located on islands that are surrounded by water, there are a lot of beautiful islands in and around it.
Due to its proximity to the ocean, the climate in this area is typically humid, much like that in Goa. Because of their location on the western edge of the subcontinent, the Western Ghats get a significant amount of monsoon rain. The average daytime temperature ranges from 30 to 35 degrees Celsius, while the average nighttime temperature ranges from 25 to 28 degrees Celsius. However, the city experiences its best weather from the middle of September until the middle of March.
Sightseeing in Kochi
Cochin is home to a number of tourist destinations that are notable for their historical significance, cultural significance, and geographical location. The Cherai Beach, Vypeen Island, Fort Kochi Beach, the Kodanad Elephant Training Centre, the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, and Marine Drive are all crucial destinations for travelers who are looking to experience the natural beauty of the area. The Indo-European architecture that can be found in Cochin’s medieval churches and temples is a significant part of the city’s appeal to tourists who are on tours of the city. The Santa Cruz Basilica, the Church of Saint Francis, Vallarpadam Church, Kadamottom Church, St. Antony’s Shrine, Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, Ernakulathappan Temple, Ettumanoor Shiva Temple, and Poornathrayesa Temple are some of the most popular tourist destinations due to the architectural marvels that can be found there. Other popular destinations include the Poornathrayesa Temple.
Visitors who are interested in colonial history and want to learn more about the way of life of a European-inhabited community should go to sites like Mattancherry Jews Street, Fort Kochi, Willington Island, Bolgatty Palace, Dutch Palace, Bastion Bungalow, VOC Gate, David Hall, and so on. These are some of the places that they may learn more about.
In addition to these incredible places to see, the city of Cochin is home to illustrious art galleries, museums, and amusement parks that visitors may enjoy throughout their time there.
Things to do in Kochi
The Cochin Carnival takes place around the New Year, the Onam Festival takes place in August or September, the Shivaratri Mahotsavam takes place at the Aluva Shiva temple, and many other celebrations take place throughout the year. Since festivals are the primary reason people visit Cochin, you should schedule your vacation around the city’s various celebrations. To experience the gorgeous backwaters of Cochin, tourists can also take a deluxe houseboat cruise through the Vembanattu Kayal.
Tourists with a penchant for retail therapy will not lack for options at Cochin’s many markets and other shopping districts. When tourists come to Kochi, they usually make purchases of antiques, traditional apparel and jewelry, spices, and other accessories. All of these are stocked in a wide variety of retail establishments, including shopping malls, grocery stores, and art galleries, among others. Mattancherry Jews Street is one of the most well-known sites for street shopping in Kochi, and it is also one of the few streets in which one may buy anything and anything.
How to reach Kochi
Kochi is a major metropolitan metropolis, and as such it has strong connections to the remainder of the country via air, rail, road, and water. The city can be reached from the Cochin International Airport in Nedumbassery, which handles flights to and from both domestic and international destinations, in just under 28 km.
The city is well connected to the rest of India by road, making it an ideal transportation hub. There are a great number of significant national and state roadways that link the southern and northern portions of India.
Trains depart from Kochi on a regular basis for destinations all across the country and are operated by the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Division of the Southern Railway Zone of the Indian Railways. Both Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town are considered to be the most important train stations in the city.
A large seaport and one of the most secure harbors in the Indian Ocean, Kochi is located in the state of Kerala. Passenger ships are run from Kochi to Colombo and Lakshadweep by the State Water Transport Department, which is responsible for the overall operation of these ships.
From the city’s most popular tourist destinations, convenient and reasonably priced public transport is readily available for visitors, making it simple for them to go throughout the city. Visitors can navigate their way around the city by using either the land-based or the water-based transit options available.
