21 Best Things to Do in Kochi
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#AndhakaranazhiBeach
Anthakaranazhi beach is located in cherthala around 5km from the national highway. It’s a calm and serene beach and it’s always a fun to enjoy the sea. Always take care of the waves, and dips which can make issues at times. There are some homestays available near the beach. It will surely make your stressed out day much lighter and have a cool time with family and friends. Altogether its a good option for the beach lovers here.
#AreekkalWaterfalls
Areekkal falls is a must see beautiful place in Kochi, Its 35 kilometers away from the main city on the Ernakulam — Thodupuzha road. One can reach Areekkal falls within one hour travel from kochi main city. The falls is an awesome destination one day outing with the family. The location is surrounded by moderate forest and rubber plantations , you can really enjoy the peace of environment combined by fresh air and occasional rains making it a cool destination for travelers. Areekkal falls is situated within a steep trench near to highway,Best time to visit areekkal falls is during the rainy seasons of June — July [ Monsoon Tourism] when the falls hit the peak water flow.
#AthirapallyFalls
Athirapally Waterfalls are located 1000 feet above sea level at the Chalakudy River in Thrissur district of Kerala. One of the famous tourist attractions in Kerala, the magnificent waterfalls are a sight worth witnessing. This is the biggest waterfall in Kerala. Athirapally falls comes down from a height of 80 feet through several parallel streams. In the monsoon season, in its full might, the waterfalls appear like Niagara Falls. Once can you reach the top of Athirapally falls in about 15 minutes’ wall. It is blessed with spectacular views of the Sholayar hills and the Western Ghats. The trek down from the top of the waterfalls is about 10–15 minutes trek. Swimming is possible in the stream as you enjoy the spray of the water. Rainbows are also a common sight. It usually takes 2–3 hours to explore the waterfalls. The surrounding environs of the waterfalls is a bio diversity hotspot. The river is blessed with 85 species of fresh water fish living in it. The forest is habitat of different species like the Indian grey hornbill, Malabar pied and grey hornbill, lion-tailed macaque, Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard, bison, sambar, etc. The Vazhachal Waterfalls, Charpa Falls, Anakkayam, Sholayar Dam, Valparai and Malayattur Wildlife Sanctuary near Athirappilly are worth exploring. There are adventure activities like river rafting, trekking, etc.
#BolgattyPalace
The Bolgatty Palace & Island Surrounded by 14 acres of green groves and golf course, Bolgatty Island is neatly tucked away amidst a giant umbrella of refreshing green. The Bolgatty Palace & Island Resort just off the Marine Drive,is literally an Island of Calm right in the midst of the bustling City of Kochi.
#CheraiBeach
Cherai Beach is a favourite haunt of those looking for a relaxing swim being the added incentive. The nearby shacks provide you with fresh cuisine that fills you up perfectly after a delightful swim. It is the ideal blend of both the backwaters and the sea. It provides a wonderful view of the famous Chinese Fishing Nets or Cheena Vala well. The area itself has seen many new resorts and hotels crop up, which have facilitated the increase in tourist activity. Today it is amongst the most visited beaches in Kerala with a view that make it near impossible to tear yourself away once you get there.
#ChineseFishingNetsKeralaKochi
The Chinese Fishing Nets at Fort Kochi is a must visit attraction in Kerala. These nets are fixed on bamboo and teak poles holding it horizontally by huge mechanisms so as to pull them down into the sea. These nets are weighed by large stones tied to ropes. Operated by a team of six fishermen, the height of the Chinese fishing nets is around 10 meters, each sprawling to 20 meters over the water body. Each net has a fixed operating depth and due to this a net cannot be repeatedly worked in tidal waters. There are different fishing nets for operation which are based on the state of the tide. While fishing through Chinese fishing nets, the nets are submersed into the sea and kept for a few minutes, raising it finely at once by six fishermen. However, there are multiple usages of Chinese fishing nets in Cochin Harbour. They form the main fishing accessory in Kochi, The water covered with these nets at the time of sunset makes a bewitching and pleasant scene to the travelers. October to March is the best time to visit here.
#ChottanikkaraBhagavathyTemple
The temple of Chottanikkara is a living legend shrowned in magnificent mythology and awe-inspiring truth. Its historical appeal and traditional influence on generations of people is tremendous. Legends say that the presence of Divinity here was worshipped by BHOGACHARYA. The deity which is swayambhoo in latrite called Rudraksha Sila was worshipped by divine souls like Adisankaracharya, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, Kakkasseri Bhattathiri and
Chemmangattu Bhattathiri. It is the cynosure of thousands of devotees swarming from all over the world on all auspicious and festive occations.The golden hued Idol bedecked with flowers, garlands, jewels and bathed in myrid of light shine splendidly. The temple is situated in hilly region surrounded on all sides by undulating beauty, rich with its green turf, golden farms and provides deep spritiual solace to the entire devotees. This is one of the most celebrated Hindu shrines of Kerala. The sacred doors of the sanctum sanctorum open in the wee hours of the day, at 4.00 a.m. The blowing of the conch and playing of the temple musical instruments lend an enchanting ritualistic rhythm and peace to those who seek a sure answer to the patient prayers. Sree Mookambika Saraswathy is also believed as present in the temple in the morning.
#folkloremuseumkochi
Folklore Museum aims to provide art education to the students and helping to provide visual and academic knowledge to the art lovers, researchers and travelers from all over the world. Folklore museum is the only architectural museum in Kerala and the treasure trove of stone, wood and bronze sculptures, ancient terracotta, stone Age objects, jewellery, paintings, oil lamps, musical instruments, tribal and folk art, wood works, utensils, masks and traditional art forms etc. these are around 4000 artifacts from tiny to large size on display. This ethnic museum is the essence of the life and culture of the common man over the past 1000 years.
#FortKochi
A very beautiful Fort Kochi beach is located on the western coast of India and is often known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. It’s a serene beach that offers a scenic view and natural beauty to its visitors. With its pristine water and tranquil ambience, it is extremely admired by tourists and local people as well. Whether you are alone or with your loved ones, this beach offers a soothing atmosphere to relax and chill out. The main attraction of this beach is the historic fort, which is the perfect example of the European architecture and the annual Kochi Festival that takes place every year on the white sands of the Fort Kochi Beach. Holiday trip to this beach is like an ideal blend of the historical and cultural moments. Stroll along the Fort Kochi beach and over the slippery sands, where you’ll view the Chinese Fishing Nets. One must enjoy the Kochi Carnival, the very popular festival, which is celebrated every year during the New Year eve. If you are bored with the hustle and bustle of the city, then this beach is a perfect getaway for you. Foodies can find several restaurants and eating joints that offer delicious cuisines. Hence, Fort Kochi beach has become a retreat for visitors of different part of the world.
#GowreeswaraTempleCherai
Cherai Gowreeswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Murugan, was constructed in 1912. It is also known as South Pazhani. Sree Narayana Guru installed the idol of the temple. Cherai Gowreeswara Temple is one of the principal Hindu temples in Kerala. It is maintained by Vignana Vardhini Sabha (V. V Sabha) and is the only temple in Asia where you can see Sree kovil with four side doors. It is also known as Malayala Palani or the Muruga Temple. The primary deity in the temple is Lord Subrahmanyan. Though the main deity preached in the temple is Lord Subrahmanya, the temple is named after Sree Gowreeswara or Lord Shiva — the father of Lord Subrahmanyan. Cherai Gowreeswara Temple is famous for being the only temple in Asia where Sree Kovil has four side doors. The main sreekovil is that of Lord Subramanya, and it faces the east. Lord Ganapati faces the South; Lord Shiva faces the west, and Goddess Parvathy faces the north. The chuttambalam showcases agra-mandapams on all sides. Cherai Gowreeswara festival is one of the main festivals in the Ernakulam the festival happens every year during the last two weeks of January or first two weeks of February.
#HillPalaceofTripunithura
Hill Palace Museum was Located about 10 kms from Kochi, the official residence of the erstwhile rulers of Kochi. Built in 1865, it is now famous for being a full-fledged Ethno-Archaeological Museum and Kerala’s first ever Heritage Museum. The palace complex itself comprises 49 buildings and is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. It has over 52 acres of terraced land around it. if you visit oil-paintings, murals, sculptures, manuscripts and belongings of the Kochi royal family. Antique ceramics from the Far East, Kudakkallu (tombstone), Thoppikkallu (hood stone), laterite memorials and wooden memorials from ancient civilisations like the Indus Valley and Harappa can also be found here. It even has a gallery housing contemporary art. its have relics of such value and significance placed here.
#IndoPortugueseMuseum
The Portuguese left an indelible mark on our history and culture. The Indo-Portuguese Museum situated in Fort Kochi tries to encapsulate this bond. Their influence on the art and architecture of the region is on full display here. The constant efforts of late Dr. Joseph Kureethra, Bishop of Kochi, played an integral role in its formation so that future generations could understand the Indo-
Portuguese Christian Art heritage. The museum is divided into five main sections — Altar, Treasure, Procession, Civil Life and Cathedral. One can see a piece of the altar made in teak wood (16th century) from the Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen, a chasuble (19th century) from Bishop’s House, Fort Kochi, Processional cross, which is a combination of silver and wood (17th century) from Santa Cruz Cathedral, Fort Kochi, Indo-Portuguese Monstrance (18–19th century), from The Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen, The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation contributed sculptures, precious metal objects, and vestments, among others from the Cathedral of Santa Cruz and other churches of the Kochi diocese. All these and much more chronicle the important relationship shared by our respective cultures.
#KeralaKathakaliCentre
When you will comes to South India, one must watch the traditional Kathakali Dance. which is one of the oldest theatre dance forms in the world. Kochi is one of the best places to witness this heritage dance form. Kathakali artists wear elaborate, billowing costumes with intricately painted faces, flowing scarves, detailed ornaments, and magnificent crowns. In the beginning, you can indulge yourself in watching make-up application on the artists and see the details of the makeup. Then experience the traditional dance form of South India as the artists perform in a classical way. This classical Indian dance performance tells stories of Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata through footwork and hand gestures. Note : Children below 5 years can join free, and those between 5–10 years can book a child package. How to reach Kochi Kathakali Dance Show Centre: The Kathakali Centre is located on KB Jacob Rd, Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi which is at a distance of 20 km from Ernakulam Junction. You can easily book with our transportation.
#KodanadElephantTrainingCentre
Elephants are considered as auspicious animals in Kerala. No major festival or celebration in Kerala is complete without a massive elephant processions. Considered an important part of our culture, elephants are loved, revered and groomed with the utmost care and respect. The Kodanad Elephant Training Centre, which was moved to Abhayaranyam near Kaprikkad, is one of the largest elephant training centres in Kerala. It is flanked by the high ranges and is set near the southern banks of the Periyar River. Since the ban on capturing elephants was enforced, this place now serves as one of the premier elephant training centres in Kerala. Muthanga of Wayanad and Konni of Pathanamthitta are two other elephant training centres. may also visit PunnathurKotta in Thrissur where over 40 elephants specially groomed for the Guruvayur Temple are kept. Visiting Time: 08:00 hours to 17:00 hours.
#LuluShoppingMallEdappally
LuLu International Shopping Mall is a shopping mall located in Edappally Kochi, Kerala. The mall its car parking facility, the convention center and the hotel altogether got total area of 1.85 million sq ft. With an average daily footfall of more than 80,000, it is one of the most visited places in Kerala. Spanning 17 acres (6.9 ha), the mall has a total retail space of 6.2 lakh sq ft. A hotel and convention center totaling 0.35 million sq feet is also build along with the project. The mall was opened in March 2013. It contains more than 225 outlets, including food courts, restaurants, family entertainment zones, a multiplex, ice skating rink,
gaming arena, Beauty parlours, a toy train joy ride and bowling alley.
#Malayattoor
Have you heard about this place called Malayattoor? It is a village in the Aluva Taluk. If we talk about its exact location, it is somewhat 15 km northeast of Angamaly in the Ernakulam District, in the state of Kerala. How do you suppose it got its name? It is a combination of three small words. Mala (mountain), Arr (river) and Oore (Place). Thus, Malayattoor is a meeting point of the river, mountain and land. It is a wonderful pilgrimage destination around 47 km from Kochi and the Catholic church on top of the Malayatoor Hill is also praiseworthy. It is devoted to St. Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ, where a lot of pilgrims gather together to celebrate the Malaytoor Perunnal during the months of March/April. History Of Malayattoor Let us explore the history of this place. St. Thomas is said to have arrived at the Kodungalloor port in Kerala via an Arab merchant vessel. And in AD 52, he took it upon himself to build a Christian community at Malayattoor. So, while he traversed the entire area, he is believed to have found the churches in Kodungalloor, Quilon, Niranam, Nilakkal, Kokkamangalam, Kottavaku and Paalayoor. Those searching for spiritual happiness shall not be disappointed in this Nature’s lap. As it is believed to be the largest pilgrim centre in India, the most important occasion being the feast of St. Thomas takes place on the first Sunday right after Easter, when a multitude of devotees set their foot in the shrine for his blessings. It shall definitely catch your eye. With the altar designed in a traditional Greek style, the church is a fabulous combination of Greco-Roman architecture with the front portion of the church following the Roman Catholic Church style. If you go to the backside of the central altar, you shall find carvings, designs and paintings, which again comprise the five joyful mysteries of Jesus Christ. You shall also observe the ancient baptismal pond and the traditional pulpit at the pilgrimage site of Malayattoor. They are relevant objects of history which hold a lot of value.
#MangalavanamBirdSanctuary
The ‘green lung of Kochi’. the innate appeal of Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is augmented by the Arabian Sea which borders the sanctuary and adds to it a panoramicambience. Mangalavanam, a nesting ground for a large variety of migratory birds, is a paradise. This green paradise is also a roosting place for resident as well as migratory birds. A survey conducted in 2006 revealed that there were 194 type birds belonging to 32 species, in Mangalavanam. Thickly imbedded with a variety of trees and plants, including teak, the sanctuary enjoys a cool temperature. Mangalavanam also supports many types of mangroves. The mangroves and their associated species that have their roots in the nourishing earth of Mangalavanam include Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata, Acanthus ilicifolius and Acrostichum aureum. Among these Acanthus ilicifolius is considered to be endangered and Rhizophora mucranata as a vulnerable species, according to International Union for Conservation of Nature. This green dreamland also shelters around six species of mammals including Indian flying-fox, painted bat, Eurasian otter, house rat and three-striped palm squirrel, Further, here two species of amphibians, limnonectes limnocharis and duttaphrynus melanostictus. Amid the thick greenery of Mangalavanam cascades a shallow tidal lake bordered with thick mangrove vegetation. The lake is connected to the Cochin backwaters by a canal. And down under the silent depth of this water lives seven species of fishes Anabas testudineus, Striped panchax, Orange chromide, Etroplus suratensis, Malabar swampeel, Blackline rasbora and Sarotherodon. In the fresh air of Mangalavanam flies 17 species of butterflies, the little beauties that bedeck the sanctuary with multitudes of hues. The best time to visit the sanctuary are the early summer months, especially from mid-January to early-March.
#MarineDrive
Marine drive is a beautiful and picturesque promenade in Kochi which faces towards the backwaters of Kochi. It’s one of the famous must-visit places for tourists and local populace. It’s 140 m walkway that stretches from the Jankar Jetty (north) to the Emakulam Boat Jetty (South). It is situated along the edge of backwaters that begins behind the Children’s Park ending at the Shanmugham Road. It is surfaced with black-dotted, red-carpet ultra tiles. Wooden benches, cast-ironed, weather-proof seating on ash grey tiles offers utmost relaxation. There are various shopping malls and fast food joints which attracts many tourists from all across the world. It’s a major centre of economic activities in Kochi and visitors throng this place to view the glance of rising sun over the sea jaws. A few adjoining areas include the Public Ground, Federal Bank Building, the Kerala Trade Center, Skyline apartments, Pioneer Towers, Abad Bay Pride Mall, Alliance Residency, Hotel Taj Gateway, and DD Samudra Darshan apartment. These buildings and grounds are in between the marine drive walkway and the Shanmugham Road. There are two beautiful bridges along the walkway now where there is a plenty of country boats and motor boats parked for backwaters rides.
#MattancherryPalace
The Mattancherry Palace, also known as Dutch Palace, is one of the finest examples of the Kerala style of architecture interspersed with colonial influences. Located at around 12 km from Ernakulam, it was built around 1545 C.E. by the Portuguese as a present to King Veera Kerala Verma of Kochi dynasty. It came to be known as the Dutch Palace as it underwent major repairs at the hands of the Dutch. It is famous for its long and spacious halls along with its central courtyard. It is also the home of the deity of the royal family, Pazhayannur Bhagavathy. This double storied palace has a lovely collection of murals. These depict some of the great Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata along with revered Gods of the Hindu faith like Lord Krishna of Guruvayur Temple. The great works of Sanskrit poet Kalidasa have also been depicted. The mural paintings cover an area of almost 300 sq. km. One gets an idea of the lives of the royal family with some of the other exhibits. These include the life-size
portraits of the Kings of Cochin since 1864, sheathed swords, daggers and axes besides ceremonial spears decorated with feathers. Royal caps, coins issued by the Kings of Cochin along with plans laid out for Cochin by the Dutch can also be viewed here.
#MuseumofKeralaHistoryEdappally
Museum of Kerala History, also known as Kerala Museum is one of the oldest arts and history museums in Kochi. This Museum at Edappally, Kochi, is established by the entrepreneur and philanthropist R. Madhavan Nayar in the year 1986. It is now preserved as a registered charitable trust by the Madhavan Nayar Foundation. The Museum of Kerala History, the Dolls Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art are the three galleries of Kerala Museum. This museum foretells the history of the state of Kerala through life-size figures of historical episodes and personalities from the state. The museum also displays paintings and sculptures along with 200 original works by contemporary Indian artists. The most interesting part of the museum is the sound and light shows that is performed in both English and Malayalam.
#SantaCruzBasilica
Though Fort Kochi is full of monuments that throb with history and have an unmistakable old-world charm, the Santa Cruz Basilica, one of the eight basilicas in India, makes an indelible impression on visitors. The church, which is more than 500 years old, has an eventful past going back to the arrival of the Portuguese in 1500. As a token of gratitude for the help they rendered in defeating the Zamorins of Calicut, the erstwhile king of Cochin gave the Portuguese permission to set up a fort. Later, in 1505, permission was granted to the first Portuguese viceroy, Dom Franciso de Almeida, to build the church. In 1558, Pope Paul IV raised the church to the status of a cathedral. During the Dutch conquest of Cochin in 1663, all Catholic monuments, except a few, were crushed. Santa Cruz Cathedral, which was the armoury of the Dutch, was unscathed. However, it was not so lucky during the British invasion in 1795. One of the decorative granite pillars of the destroyed church is preserved as a relic in the basilica. Bishop D. Joao Gomas Ferreira who reached Kochi in 1887 spearheaded an initiative to reconstruct the cathedral. The reconstruction work was a success and in 1905, it was again consecrated by the bishop of Damao, Dom Sebastiao Jose Pereira. It was in 1984 that Pope John Paul II raised the status of the cathedral to that of a basilica. The Basilica has magnificent Indo-European and Gothic architecture and the grandeur in the use of colours. It has two bright lofty spires. The indelible charm of the monument owes a lot to its pastel-coloured interior, adorned with paintings of Italian painter Brother Antonio Moscheni and his disciple De Gama of Bangalore. Moscheni has created breathtakingly beautiful paintings on the theme, ‘The Passion and death on the Cross’ in the altar of the Basilica. His imitation of Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ is an arresting sight. The frescos and murals on the life of Christ that embellish the ceilings and the interior and the beautiful stained glass windows add to the charm of the place. The bright blue pillars at the entrance and the pulpit also bear testimony to the craftsmanship of those behind the making of the magnificent monument.
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