Chinese Fishing Nets, Fort Kochi The chinese fishing nets (Cheenavala) are distinctly unique to Cochin. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here. Oddly, these nets are found only in Kochi, outside China! Many fishermen earn their livelihood by fishing using these massive nets. A whole stretch of the coast along Fort Kochi and Vypeen are dotted with these nets.
Fort Kochi beach A stroll along the beach, particularly at sunset with the chinese fishing nets and sailing ships in the background, is a memorable experience. Many European style bungalows can be seen along the shoreline. The coastal stretch has loads of small stalls, which make on demand mouth-watering traditional cuisines using freshly caught fish.
St. Francis Church, Fort Kochi It is the oldest church built by Europeans in India. On his 3rd visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese trader who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. He was buried in the St. Francis Church. Later his remains were taken back to Portugal. In spite of that, his burial spot inside the church has been clearly marked out.» Vasco House, Fort Kochi Vasco house, located on Rose Street, is believed to be one of the oldest Portuguese houses in India. Vasco da Gama is believed to have lived here. This house features European glass paned windows and verandahs.
Santa Cruz Basilica, Fort Kochi The original church, situated in Fort Kochi, was built by the Portuguese in 1505 and named as a cathedral in 1558. The British colonists destroyed the cathedral in 1795. The current structure was built in 1905 and raised to the status of a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984
Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town, Mattancherry The synagogue, built in 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. It is located near the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry.
Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), Mattancherry The Dutch Palace was originally built by the Portuguese. Later, in 17th century, the Dutch modified it and presented it to the Raja of Kochi. Coronation of many Rajas of Kochi were held here. The palace has a fine collection of mural paintings depicting scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana. The palace is located in Mattancherry.
Bolghatty Palace, Bolghatty Island This Dutch palace is situated on Bolghatty island which is just a short boat ride away from the mainland. The palace has been converted to a hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). The island has a tiny golf course and the panoramic views of the port and the harbour, makes it an attractive picnic spot. Frequent boat service is available from the mainland
Hill Palace, Tripunithura Built in the 19th century by the Raja of Kochi, this palace served as the seat of the Raja of the Kochi province. The palace has been converted into a museum displaying a fine collection of articles showing the wealth and splendour of the Rajas of Kochi, including the thone and the crown. The musuem also houses a large collection of archaeological findings. Hill Palace is located 16km east of Cochin in Tripunithura, a satellite town of Cochin.
Palliport (Pallipuram) FortIt is the oldest surviving European fort in India, built by the Portuguese in 1503. Its situated in Pallipuram on Vypeen island.
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary Mangalavanam is a protected bird sanctuary situated right in the heart of Kochi city. It is the home of many exotic and rare varieties of migratory and resident birds. Mangalavanam is located right next to the High Court of Kerala.
Museum of Kerala History, Kalamassery The museum has on display spectacular audio-visual exhibits depicting the history and culture of Kerala along with many life size statues of many famous personalities and several paintings depicting Kerala history.
Parikshith Thampuran Museum This Rajas of Cochin used to conduct their durbars in this impressive building located within the Durbar Hall grounds. It was later converted to a museum which has a treasure trove of archaeological findings and relics including old coins, sculptures, oil paintings and murals. The building has been taken over by the Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy and now houses the Gallery of Contemporary Art. All the exhibits of the museum have been moved to the Hill Palace museum.
Cherai Beach This lovely beach ideal for swimming is located on the north end of Vypeen island, one of the many small islands just off the mainland. The beach is lined by gorgeous coconut groves and paddy fields. Vypeen can be reached by land or by boat.
Veega Land Veega Land is South India's largest amusement park situated 14kms from Cochin. The park includes a range of attractions including mini castles, water theme park, ferris wheel, rides, slides, shows and fountains. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the fun and activities.
Marine Drive A stroll along the long tree-lined coastal pathway that lines the backwater is well worth the time spent, especially late afternoon or dusk. The bustling backwaters, dotted with fishing boats, speedboats, ships, tankers and passenger boats, can be observed from this walkway that lines the coast.
Willingdon Island This man-made island was created in 1933 by sand dredged while deepening the backwaters for the Cochin Port, under the direction of Sir Robert Bristow. A while back the Airport, Sea port and the railway terminus (Cochin Harbour Terminus) were situated on this island. Today, it is the home of the Cochin Port and the headquarters of the Sourthern Naval Command. The airport continues to be the naval air station, while the main airport has been moved to Nedumbassery, 30kms north-east of Cochin. Most of the trains now terminate at Ernakulam Junction instead of Cochin Harbour Terminus.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor The Nehru stadium in Kaloor, has a seating capacity of 60,000 in multiple tiers. It is the fourth largest stadium in India and the largest in Kerala. The ground is lit by a set of unique convex pylon floodlights that arch over the ground. The stadium is home to both the Kerala Ranji cricket team as well as FC Kochi football team.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Sunday, April 1, 2007
AS the rains engulf Kerala with the annual dose of wetness and luxuriance, the weathermen may be tearing their hair out, wondering if this year's monsoon rainfall will match their predictions, but one class of people will be celebrating the drops of seasonal precipitation - tour and travel operators and, of course, their clients, the tourists from within and beyond the country, who come to savour the delights of God's Own Country.
They are coming at a time, as Kerala Tourism is now energetically pointing out, "when the heavens touch the earth." Yes, it is that magical time of year when the southwest monsoon casts its spell over the land of coconuts for three months. And, increasingly, visitors from outside the State are learning to enjoy the special treats that accompany the monsoon.
And these range from the mundane, like shopping for a range of umbrellas to simply sipping tea and watching the boatmen ferry across the backwaters to the adventurous, like trekking in the western Ghats for some diehard nature-watching. But these days, what is really bringing the smiles to the faces of Kerala's tourism professionals are the beelines for Kerala's ayurvedic health centres.
Traditionally, according to ayurvedic physicians, rejuvenation therapies have their best effect during the wet monsoon months, when the winds and the cold temperature render the body especially amenable to the therapeutic and restorative powers of the herbs and concoctions used in ayurveda. That is why upcountry visitors throng Kerala's ayurveda spas during the rainy months.
Yes, the natural synergy between the monsoon and ayurveda is finally stretching the traditional tourism season in Kerala, so much so that today the State's hoteliers can boast that there is no off-season in Kerala, just a peak season and the green season. Kerala, it appears, is well on the way to perfecting "monsoon tourism."
They are coming at a time, as Kerala Tourism is now energetically pointing out, "when the heavens touch the earth." Yes, it is that magical time of year when the southwest monsoon casts its spell over the land of coconuts for three months. And, increasingly, visitors from outside the State are learning to enjoy the special treats that accompany the monsoon.
And these range from the mundane, like shopping for a range of umbrellas to simply sipping tea and watching the boatmen ferry across the backwaters to the adventurous, like trekking in the western Ghats for some diehard nature-watching. But these days, what is really bringing the smiles to the faces of Kerala's tourism professionals are the beelines for Kerala's ayurvedic health centres.
Traditionally, according to ayurvedic physicians, rejuvenation therapies have their best effect during the wet monsoon months, when the winds and the cold temperature render the body especially amenable to the therapeutic and restorative powers of the herbs and concoctions used in ayurveda. That is why upcountry visitors throng Kerala's ayurveda spas during the rainy months.
Yes, the natural synergy between the monsoon and ayurveda is finally stretching the traditional tourism season in Kerala, so much so that today the State's hoteliers can boast that there is no off-season in Kerala, just a peak season and the green season. Kerala, it appears, is well on the way to perfecting "monsoon tourism."
Saturday, March 17, 2007
houseboats of kerala
In Kerala house-boat cruises, you'll set sail in a traditional Kettuvallam. Your house boat will be equipped with every luxury and safety measures. Not to mention an English speaking crew, including a personal chef, at your service round-the-clock. All materials on board are eco-friendly. From the solar powered energy system .
Houseboat Cruises on Kerala Backwaters take you along tranquil waterways, lakes and canals in the comfort of Kerala House Boats. With luxurious bedrooms, dining areas and observation decks, Kerala House Boats take you closer to nature, while you travel in modern comfort. See the beauty of the Kerala countryside on Houseboat cruises on Kerala Backwaters., to the décor.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
KERALA-GOD'S OWN COUNTRY
Kerala is a beautiful stretch of land between the Arabian Sea and a mountain range. Irrigated by over 40 rivers and two pouring monsoons, this small stretch is a green and clean place. It is a land of green hills, forested countryside, coastal backwaters, beaches, monsoon rains, quaint little towns, country boat races, grand elephant festivals and other fascinating experiences
The backwaters of Kerala are unique attraction to tourists. The biggest among these backwaters is the Vembanad lake, with an area of 200 sq km, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port. Backwaters, historical structures, culture, wildlife, and natural beauty, the state has all these and more.
The major tourist destinations in the State include Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Munnar, Palakkad, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kannur, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sabrimalai
Out of the five states lying south of Maharashtra, Kerala has the charm and grandeur which equals natural beauties distributed over the globe. Kerala boasts of the beaches of Hawaii, the vales of Switzerland, the wildlife of Africa, the festivals of Spain, the boat races of Singapore, the waterfalls of North America, the health resorts of Phuket and the backwaters of Venice. Out of all these heavenly places, the interconnected backwaters mesmerise you the most and take you closest to the lives of Keralites.
Kerala's backwaters are a semi flooded area of land behind the coast that stretch south from Cochin to Trivandrum.
The backwaters of Kerala are unique to Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world (The nearest equivalent might be the flooded polders of Holland in Europe). The Kerala Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and the deltas of 44 rivers that all drain into the Arabian sea. Most of these rivers rise in the Western Ghats which have high rainfall all year.
The backwaters of Kerala are a self supporting eco-system teeming with often unique aquatic and riverine life. The man made canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport. Some 900 km of this riverine water world is navigable to boats.
The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad Lake which flows through three regions and opens out into the sea at the port at cochin.
The Ashtamudi Lake, literally having eight arms, which covers a major portion of Kollam district in the south, is the second largest and is also considered a gateway to the backwaters.
The most exciting experience on the backwaters of Kerala for visitors is the Kettuvallam (or traditional rice boat ). In a land as water bound as Kerala it wouldn't be an unusual sight, but for a visitor to God's Own Country a houseboat gliding along the vast green expanse of the backwaters is a unique, tranquil spectacle in the world.
The backwaters of Kerala are unique attraction to tourists. The biggest among these backwaters is the Vembanad lake, with an area of 200 sq km, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port. Backwaters, historical structures, culture, wildlife, and natural beauty, the state has all these and more.
The major tourist destinations in the State include Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Munnar, Palakkad, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kannur, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sabrimalai
Out of the five states lying south of Maharashtra, Kerala has the charm and grandeur which equals natural beauties distributed over the globe. Kerala boasts of the beaches of Hawaii, the vales of Switzerland, the wildlife of Africa, the festivals of Spain, the boat races of Singapore, the waterfalls of North America, the health resorts of Phuket and the backwaters of Venice. Out of all these heavenly places, the interconnected backwaters mesmerise you the most and take you closest to the lives of Keralites.
Kerala's backwaters are a semi flooded area of land behind the coast that stretch south from Cochin to Trivandrum.
The backwaters of Kerala are unique to Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world (The nearest equivalent might be the flooded polders of Holland in Europe). The Kerala Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and the deltas of 44 rivers that all drain into the Arabian sea. Most of these rivers rise in the Western Ghats which have high rainfall all year.
The backwaters of Kerala are a self supporting eco-system teeming with often unique aquatic and riverine life. The man made canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport. Some 900 km of this riverine water world is navigable to boats.
The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad Lake which flows through three regions and opens out into the sea at the port at cochin.
The Ashtamudi Lake, literally having eight arms, which covers a major portion of Kollam district in the south, is the second largest and is also considered a gateway to the backwaters.
The most exciting experience on the backwaters of Kerala for visitors is the Kettuvallam (or traditional rice boat ). In a land as water bound as Kerala it wouldn't be an unusual sight, but for a visitor to God's Own Country a houseboat gliding along the vast green expanse of the backwaters is a unique, tranquil spectacle in the world.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
POORAM FESTIVAL
The major attractions of Pooram are the grand procession of devotees along with caparisoned elephants and the wonderful fireworks displaying spectacular light and color patterns in the night sky.
Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants), and the cool monsoon season (June - November) are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative packages.In fact, today, Kerala Ayurveda packages are based on the ancient Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda. Ayurveda is one of the major highlights for spending holidays in Kerala. Ayurveda medical system, which was evolved in Kerala, is around the 5,000 year old. Kerala is the only state in India which practises this system of medicine with absolute dedication
Monday, February 26, 2007
tourism-kerala
A perfect honeymoon location
Kerala, with its geographical diversity and natural richness, is undoubtedly one of the most visited destination in India. This God's ''Own Country'' own everything what an avid tourist is looking for. Many of Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tranquil Backwater, Hill Stations, abundant Sea beaches with unique stillness, the divine Ayurvedic and Rejuvenation Treatment - All make it a place to satiate the longing for enjoying holidays and honeymoon.
see this picture and rate it -kerala has many more to offer other than this
Kerala, with its geographical diversity and natural richness, is undoubtedly one of the most visited destination in India. This God's ''Own Country'' own everything what an avid tourist is looking for. Many of Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tranquil Backwater, Hill Stations, abundant Sea beaches with unique stillness, the divine Ayurvedic and Rejuvenation Treatment - All make it a place to satiate the longing for enjoying holidays and honeymoon.
see this picture and rate it -kerala has many more to offer other than this
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