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| • Central Kerala |
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| • Kochi • Thrissur |
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| • Kochi |
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An
all time tourist favourite,
Kochi is the commercial
capital of Kerala. It
has to offer palaces,
forts, beaches, backwaters,
old churches, snakes boat
races, Kathakali, museums
and the convenience of
the big city.
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Kochi is
just about the center
of Kerala. It is basically
a collection of islands
and narrow peninsulas.
Ernakulam is the commercial
center and forms the mainland.
The two main railway stations
and the bus stands are
located here. Fort Kochi
& Mattachery, form
an elongated island
west of Ernakulam. Willingdon
island which houses the
Airport, Port & Naval
base lies between Ernakulam
& FortKochi. Jos junction
in Ernakulam is considered
as the nerve center of
the city. |
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FortKochi (13
km from Jos Jn)
Fort Kochi has probably
the best preserved history
of the colonial times.
Its culture and architectural
styles used in its various
Churches, Bungalows and
Forts reflect the bygone
era. The best way to see
Fort Kochi is either walking
or cycling |
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| Chinese
Fishing Nets |
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A legacy of one of the
earliest visitor to the
Malabar coast, these nets
are unmistakable as one
enters the harbour. Records
show that they were first
erected between A.D 1350
and 1450. Constructed
out of Teak wood and Bamboo
poles, they work on the
principle of balance.
The best place to watch
is from Vasco Da Gama
square, a narrow promena-
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that parallels the beach
with little stalls that
serve fresh seafood, tender
coconuts and so on. |
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St.
Francis Church
Considered India's oldest
European church, St Francis
was originally roman Catholic
during the Portuguese
period from 1503 to 1663,
Dutch reform from 1644
to 1804, and Anglican
from 1804 to 1947. Today
it is governed by the
Church of South India.
The building was originally
constructed out of timber
and later reconstructed
in stone masonry during
the 16th century. Vasco
Da Gama who died in Cochin
in 1524 was buried here
before his remains were
returned to Portugal 14
years later. |
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Santa Cruz Basilica |
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Built
by the Portuguese, the church
was elevated to a Cathedral
by the Pope Paul IV in 1558.
Spared by the Dutch conqueror
of Cochin who destroyed
many Catholic buildings
in 1663, it later fell into
the hands of the British
who demolished it when they
took over Cochin in 1795.
For almost a 100 years there
was no church on the site,
until the Bishop
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Dom Gomez
Vereira commissioned a new
building in 1887. Consecrated
in 1905, Santa Cruz was
proclaimed a Basilica by
the Pope John Paul II in
1984 |
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The
Dutch Cemetery
Consecrated in 1724 and
now managed by the church
of South India, the inscriptions
found here are some of
the most authentic reminders
of the countless men and
women who left their European
houses behind to play
their roles on the colonial
canvas of 17th, 18th and
19th century.
Fort
Kochi Beach
Fort
Kochi Carnival on the new
years eve is a colourful
festival, not to be missed.
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| Kodanad |
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Kodanad, set on the southern banks of the Periyar river amid the beautiful high ranges near Perumbavoor, is one of the largest elephant training centres of Kerala. Earlier elephants captured from the Malayatoor forests (the forests in the east and north of Kodanad) were trained here. Since the introduction of a ban to elephant capture Kodanad has been
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| reduced to a training centre. The famous Malayatoor Church is near Kodanad. |
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| Thattekad - Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary |
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Thatekkad Bird Sanctuary is one of the most popular National Parks of Kerala.This Bird Sanctuary is situated in the dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forests and grassland patches. Thattekad Sanctuary is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar River. The sanctuary was notified in 1983
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based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. It is a home to a microcosm of India's bird population with about 500 winged species. The renowned ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali designed the Thattekad Bird sanctuary. This Bird Sanctuary is spread over an area of 25 sq. km. covered with deciduous forests and plantation of rosewood, teak etc. Rare birds like the Crimson-Throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black winged Kite, and the Night Heron are also commonly sighted here. |
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• Thrissur |
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This
region is rich in cultural
activities. The Trichur
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