ad collaborative post // Kochi is the modern name of Cochin, which has been a prime port city of Kerala for many centuries. It was once called the Queen of the Arabian Sea, due to its importance in the spice trade. Now, this city is the financial and industrial capital of Kerala, as it houses the headquarters and production units of many reputed commercial companies.
Photo by Sahil Pandita on Unsplash
Tourism is an important industry here, as plenty of tourists visit this city throughout the year to enjoy their holidays. Thus, hotel and transport businesses have also flourished due to the high demand from Indian and foreign tourists.
How to reach Kochi
Several flights from different Indian and foreign cities reach Cochin International Airport regularly, which is only 20 Km away from the city centre. Flydubai, IndiGo, Go Air, Air India, and SpiceJet are the airlines that offer direct domestic and international flights between Kochi and other cities in India and abroad.
People can also travel by train to reach Kochi Railway Junction or Kochi Harbor Terminus, from various metro cities of India, like Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi. Kochi is also connected by roadways to many nearby cities, like Kozhikode, Chennai, Mangalore, Goa, and Mumbai. Thus, people can travel by car while enjoying the roadside scenic beauty.
Climate and geography
Kochi experiences a tropical monsoon climate, as it is quite near to the Equatorial region. Thus, the air contains moderate to high-level humidity throughout the year. This city gets heavy rainfall from June to September, as it lies on the windward part of Western Ghats at this time. The amount of rainfall becomes the least from October to December when this area lies on the leeward side of the monsoon winds.
Kochi is situated on the southwest part of the Malabar Coast. It is flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west and the urban areas of Kerala on the east. It has a coastline of 48 Km, as a major part of this city is at sea level. It comprises some islands, a part of the peninsular region, backwaters, and a part of the mainland. Thus, the soil is diverse, including salty loam, deposited alluvium, and brown sandy soil. River Periyar and River Muvattupuzha are two rivers flowing through this city.
Culture
Kochi experiences a wide cultural diversity, as people from various communities from different parts of India live here, apart from the ethnic Malayali and Konkani folks. Many Jews and Anglo-Indian families also live here. However, most of the local people of this city follow South Indian culture and celebrate Onam and Vishu with great enthusiasm.
They also celebrate festivals of all religions, including Holi, Diwali, Christmas, Easter, and Eid-ul-Fitr. Cochin Carnival is another festival celebrated by all at Fort Kochi every December 31st. Local people enjoy Keralite foods, loaded with coconut and various Indian spices. Kochi can also boast of housing a huge number of restaurants offering all kinds of cuisines, thus earning the title of the Food Capital of Kerala.
Photo by Divyanshi Verma on Unsplash
Sightseeing in Kochi
Fort Kochi is the most notable tourist attraction and 11 Chinese fishing nets adorn the beach outside this fort, representing the city of Kochi. St. Francis Church is another tourist spot in this area and it was the first church built by Europeans in India, close to Vasco House where Vasco da Gama probably lived for some time.
Bolgatty Island is close to the mainland of Kochi and it holds Bolgatty Palace made by Dutch, which is now converted into a luxury resort with golf courses and other facilities.
Vypeen Island is popular for its long and sandy beaches, among which Cherai Beach is nicknamed Princess of the Arabian Sea. Tourists can take local ferry tours for a view of the city from the sea. It also houses the old Pallipuram Fort built by Europeans in 1503.
Hill Palace Museum was built by the king of Kochi and later turned into a museum in 1986. Now, it displays various sculptures, ancient weapons, coins, inscriptions, and other belongings of the royal family. Mattancherry Palace Museum, Mattancherry Pazhayannur Royal Temple, Paliarakkavvu Temple, and Goud Saraswat Brahmin Temple are the main notable sites of the town of Mattancherry in Kochi.
Marine Drive, Andhakaranazhi Beach, and Kodanad Elephant Training Centre near River Periyar are other tourist attractions of Kochi. People also visit Malayattoor Church on Malayattoor Hill and Museum of Kerala History in Edapally, near Kochi city centre.
Therefore, people can spend a wonderful time amidst nature while touring Kochi for their family vacations.
