Mattancherry: A Cultural Medley
The Synagogues of Jerusalem. The Art Cafés of Paris. The Tropical Paradise of Bali. The Souqs of Morocco. They are some of the checkpoints that a vacationer might be inclined to include in his/her itinerary. These attractions are synonymous to certain parts of the world, however, they are not unique to these regions. Let me introduce you to a stretch of land that is home to all the attractions mentioned above and more: Mattancherry.
Mattancherry is located in the city of Kochi, housed in the Indian state of Kerala which incidentally claims the moniker, ‘God’s Own Country’. Kochi is a port city in South India and is, therefore, no stranger to overseas influences owing to its geographic location. Kochi was a hub for Sephardic Jews and as their influence grew in the region, they built the Paradesi Synagogue, as it came to be known, near the Mattancherry Palace Temple in 1568. A symbol of the cultural and religious harmony in the area, the synagogue is a beautiful piece of architecture and has a humble pictorial museum that outlines the history of Jews in Kerala. I would recommend the synagogue as the first stop on your day out in Mattancherry. It is located at the far end of Jew street (not very creative with names though!).
Once you have had your fill of Malabari Jewish culture, it is time for some rest and reflection. As you make your way out of the synagogue, you will be overwhelmed with hanging signs beckoning you to the plethora of art cafés in the area. As a poet, I found them to be the highlight of my visit there. A typical Mattancherry art café will be found inside an old structure providing it with a rustic aesthetic from the outside. Step inside and you will be privy to an entirely different world. The walls are decked with paintings and other artwork mirroring the café’s theme and there will be a mini-library for you to pick a story to go with the hand-pressed cup of coffee you ordered. These cafés are a mesh of old and new and the interior is designed with an old-school vibe and a touch of millennial flourish. Their menus are just as eclectic and I would highly recommend their freshly baked chocolate cakes. Choose a cozy corner overlooking the streets below and you are likely to spend a couple of hours in one of these enterprises.
Now you’ll be buzzing with caffeine and looking to do justice to the pastries you just ate. Take a walk along the streets of Mattancherry that will be lined with an array of shops selling Kashmiri shawls to handcrafted wares and other such novelties. If that is not your cup of tea, there are plenty more to explore. Hop on over to the Mattancherry palace and see how the kings lived. You’ll find murals and paintings depicting the lives of the royals and can immerse yourself in the history of the land. Moreover, Mattancherry is full of museums displaying relics of the past and also has a few with modern relevance such as the Police museum. The best part is that most of these museums have no entry fee. Yep, you heard right! I was struck by a particular display piece at one of the antique museums. It was a box camera about a 100 years old and as I shot a pic of it on my phone, I caught the reflection of my camera on the ancient behemoth’s lens: two different eras looking eye to eye.
Once you, the gentle traveler, is done assimilating the wonders of Mattancherry, grab a cup of tea from the local tea stall and secure a seat overlooking the tropical lagoon. The sun setting over the lagoons will kindle a romantic flame even in the most hardened of cynics. All that’s left is to grab a ferry to the mainland and enjoy the city’s mouthwatering cuisines (seafood here is one of a kind).
Mattancherry is truly a medley of cultures and its quaint and alluring streets will leave you with memories to be cherished. It is one of the most economical travel destinations and rest assured, you’ll be getting your money’s worth. Natural beauty, rich culture, throbbing history, and bang for your buck: Mattancherry is simply a complete travel destination.
