Kochi City Guides

Kochi, or more familiarly, Cochin is a city of many parts. Around for a long, long time, Kochi played a pivotal role in the development of shipping and trade in the region. Kochi's prime location on the west coast, its fine bay and protected harbour made it popular with seafarers and merchant ships who made frequent stops to stock up on spices, coffee and wood enroute to the rich markets of Europe and West Asia. And so down the ages, Kochi prospered as a busy port city and commercial centre. Its seafront is still extremely relevant to Cochin and to India: it houses a Naval Base and one of India’s busiest ports. It’s twin city, Ernakulum, is an important railhead and industrial centre.

Cochin's history is a bright tapestry - many coloured threads woven through centuries together present the fabric of the present. Its involvement with the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British are evident in the architecture of city buildings, the old durbar hall is the spice in the dish! Modern day Kochi may be a busy port and shipping centre but it has many attractions for ordinary tourists.

Kochi's location between the blue, blue waters of the Arabian Sea and Kerala’s emerald backwaters, its rich medley of Indian and foeign architeture, its truly unusual sights like the Chinese fishing nets and its quaint quiet localities like the Jewish Quarters demand the attention of all who travel to Kerala. Cochin's Jewish Quarter is another story - the ancestors of Cochin's Jews came here two thousand years ago, got involved in the spice trade, prospered and stayed back to build a new life free from religious persecution. Sadly, the population dwindled significantly with immigration to Israel and the few families that still live here struggle to maintain their cultural heritage like the beautiful Synagogue.

COCHIN CULTURE

For the Culture enthusiasts, Kerala has much to offer. Kerala's history and culture dates back to centuries. Ancient rulers of the State took special interest in promoting the art and culture of the State. Raja Ravi Varmas paintings, Kathakali and Mohiniattam dance forms, Sculptures, temple architecture, Martial arts, handicraft items etc are great attractions of Kerala. The meeting place of many cultures, Hindu and Muslim, Christian and Jewish, Kerala has a particularly rich heritage of dance and drama and the people are among the most industrious and well educated in the country. Seafarers have also played an important role in shaping the history, socio-cultural background and food of Kerala.

COCHIN SHOPPING

Among Kochi's best buy are metalware, camel-bone carvings, wood carvings, articles made of coconut shels, baboo cane, embroidered screwpine mats; grass mats; and several other types of handicrafts. Kochi also has several antique dealers. Jewellery, readymade garments, and ethnic hand-woven textiles follow closely. The major shopping centres are on M.G.Road which cuts across the heart of the city, and the Marine Drive including Broadway. Shops open at 10 a.m. and close around 8 p.m. Generally all shops remain close on Sundays. Shopping Centres: M.G.Road, Broadway, Marine Drive, Government emporium: Kerala State Handicraft Apex Society, M.G.Road, Kerala State Handicrafts Development Corporation (Kairali) M.G.Road, Khadi Gramaudyog Bhavan, M.G.Road, Eranakulam, Jew Town, Broadway, Eranakulam Market, spices Board, N.H.Bye Pass.