On my way to Kottayam, Kerela, where I was supposed to handle a session in a training programme conducted by CAB, Pune (more about that later !), I took a couple of days off to see the sights around Kochi. This was my first ever trip to Kerela and it was an amazing experience. It is rightly called 'God's Own Country'. Two days were enough to make me fall in love with that part of the country and I am definitely going to see more of it whenever I have the opportunity. It is a state full of lush greenery, exotic flora and fauna, neat and clean environment and is inhabited by polite and helpful locals. During the three days I spent at Kochi and Kottayam I did not see a single stray dog in the streets ! Even in the countryside where the highway has houses on either side for most part of the way one could see the blend of modernity and traditional ethos. No garbage piles were seen anywhere and it was remarkable NOT to see the sight of people relieving themselves unashamedly in the open. A high literacy level coupled with economic strength, in my opinion, are contributory factors to this state of bliss.
Kochi is the biggest city of Kerela and is the state's commercial capital. It consists of the mainland Ernakulam and the islands of Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Willingdon, Vypeen and Bolghatty. From ancient times this place has been an important hub for seafarers. Chinese, Arab, Dutch, Portugese and British seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi and left their imprints on the town. Various historical monuments enrich the heritage of Kochi. It is also called the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' and is still the hub of trade in spices, oil, coffee and other cash crops.
Following are some photos which I clicked during the trip. Enjoy !!
The 'main land' skyline. A view from one of the islands.
A view of one of the islands from Ernakulam - the main land.
One tip of the man made Willingdon island which
is situated between the main land and Mattancherry.
The HQ Southern Naval Command is located here in
addition to other important government offices.
Fort Kochi beach.
Chinese Fishing Net at Fort Kochi. Such nets dot the
sea front and are a semi-mechanical means of
catching fish. This method is said to be brought to
India from China by traders of Kublai Khan's court.
They are used at high tide.
The Bolghatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 AD
is situated on the narrow Bolghatty island. Later
it was the seat of the British resident and is now a
hotel run by KTDC.
The clock outside theJewish Synagogue circa 1760 AD.
The Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry island was
built in 1568 AD. It contains the great scrolls of the
Old Testament, the copper plates in which grants of
privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded,
hand painted Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers.
'Sarah's Hand Embroidery' - a must visit for
exquisitely embroidered clothes and accessories.
And this is 'Aunty' Sarah - still busy with
her embroidery.
Jew Street near the Synagogue in Mattancherry.
It is full of shops selling artefacts and antiques.
The Dutch Cemetary near Fort Kochi. It is
maintained by the Church of South India (CSI).
Directions ?? It is best to go around the islands
on foot and enjoy the peaceful laidback feel.
The old world charm is evident in the foreign
influenced architecture of the buildings.
A war memorial dedicated to those who died in
the World War I outside St Francis Church.
This is where Vasco da Gama was initially buried.
'Fort Kochi' is now the residence of the Collector.
Many such tablets dedicated to ancient Dutch
soldiers and travellers are preserved at the
St Francis Church.
The famous voyager Vasco da Gama was initially
buried at the St Francis Church but his mortal
remains were taken to Lisbon, Portugal,
14 years later by his son.
The interiors of the famous St Francis Church.
This Protestant church was built by the Portugese
in 1510 AD and is said to be the oldest church
built by Europeans in India.
Local fishermen trying their luck in the backwaters !
The'anchor' near the beach at Fort Kochi
A ship (dredger) near the mouth of the Arabian Sea
Ferry service between the main land (Ernakulam)
and the islands which from part of Kochi. The
islands are connected to the mainland/other islands
by bridges also. This is a convenient and cheap mode
of transport. A trip from the mainland to Mattancherry
costs Rs 3.00 and lasts 15 minutes.
The Kochi Port Trust Office on Willingdon Island
(a man made island created from the material
dredged while deepening Kochi port).
