COCHIN

KOCHI - THE NAME

Like most cities in India, Kochi has a very long and illustrious history. But, the origin of the name is still shrouded in mystery. Many theories exist, but none are strong enough to be conclusive. Some historians believe that Kochi is a modified form of the word 'Cochazhi' which in Malayalam means 'small sea'. Others are of the opinion that 'Kochi' was named so by the Chinese. The peculiar Chinese fishing nets found here, the only place outside China where it has been spotted, can possibly be attributed to the heavy Chinese influence the city has had in the past. Still another theory is that Kochi is derived from the word 'Kaci' meaning 'harbour'

DUTCH PALACE (MATTANCHERRY PALACE)

DUTCH (MATTANCHERRY) PALACE

Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala Significance: Kerala Murals depicting Hindu temple art, Portraits and exhibits of Rajas of Kochi Best Season :August - May Timings :Open 10.00 am - 5.00 pm on all days except Fridays and national holidays, Photography not allowed inside

Also known as Dutch Palace, the Mattancherry palace with its medieval charm is situated at Palace Road, Mattancherry,10km from Ernakulum city, Kochi, Kerala. Built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Kochi Veera Kerala Varma (1537-65) in 1555 AD, it took on its present popular name 'Dutch Palace' after 1663, when the Dutch carried out some extensions and renovations in the palace. The rajas also made more improvements to it. Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas and notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, which are in the best traditions of Hindu Temple Art.

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 Mahabharata and Ramayana. The palace is located in Mattancherry.

ST. FRANCIS CHURCH

Town Country Started Completed

Kochi India 1506 1516

ST. FRANCIS CHURCH, FORT KOCHI

It is the oldest church built by Europeans in India. On his 3rd visit to Kerala, Vasco de 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. The Church was declared a protected monument in April 1923 under the Protected Monuments Act of 1904. It has services on Sundays and commemorative days. On weekdays it is kept open for visitors

Vasco da Gama, who discovered the sea route from Europe to India, landed at Calicut (later renamed Kozhikode) in 1498. Vasco da Gama was followed by Pedro lvares Cabral and Afonso de Albuquerque. They built a fort at Kochi with permission from the Raja of Cochin. Within the fort, they built a church with a wooden structure, which was dedicated to St. Bartholomew. The neighborhood is now known as Fort Kochi. Francisco de Almeida, the Portuguese viceroy, was allowed, in 1506, by the Raja of Cochin to reconstruct wooden buildings in stone and masonry. The wooden church was rebuilt, presumably by the Franciscan friars, with bricks and mortar and a tiled roof was erected. In 1516, the new church was completed and it was dedicated to St. Anthony.

KALADY

Kalady (Malayalam: ) is a village located east of the Periyar river, in the Ernakulum district of Kerala, India. Notably, it is the birthplace of Sri Adi Shankara, and thus is a popular destination for pilgrims. Kalady started featuring in the spiritual map of India only after its rediscovery in the late 19th century by the then Shankaracharya of Sringeri and the subsequent consecration of a temple for Sri Adi Shankara in 1910. The Centenary of Kalady was celebrated in May 2010 and the story of Kalady has been documented in digital media.

BRINDAVAN OF ARYAMBA, KALADY

This is a holy spot in Kalady where Aryamba, the mother of Sri Adi Shankara was cremated. The lamp post made of black stone just near this Samadhi was in existence from the time of Sri Shankara. Timings: 6 am-1 pm, 4-8 pm. Near to this is a Ganapati Shrine.

CROCODILE GHAT, KALADY

Crocodile Ghat or Muthala Kadavu is the place where Sree Shankara took 'Manasa Sanyasam' or his vows of renunciation. It is situated on the bank of the Periyar. Even from a young age, Shankara was spiritually inclined and wanted to take up sanyasa much against his mothers wishes. Once while Shankara was taking bath in the Periyar river one day, he was caught by a crocodile. Shankara demanded his mother Aryamba to permit him to take up sanyasam so that the crocodile will leave him. His mother was forced to give permission and then the crocodile released him immediately, and the Ghat came to be known as Crocodile Ghat

Athirampalli Falls

This particular falls has been featured in numerous films and advertisements. It is also called as Punnagai Mannan Falls, since this falls have been featured in Tamil film Punnagai Mannan. It is about 35 km from Sholaiyar. Totally, it gives us mystic natural scenery on the way to Athirampalli Falls and Sholaiyar.

HOW TO GET THERE ?

Athirampally

is just 90 km from Cochin and is a popular picnic spot. Bus services are available from Chalakudy on Cochin Thrissur highway or you can catch a cab (Taxi) from Chalakudy Town or Railway Station. This scintillating waterfall in thick green forest is a part of the Chalakudy river stream.