Cochin - The Pride of Kerala
The first city in India to obtain hundred percent literacy. Undoubtedly the commercial hub of Kerala , the city of Kochi is where ancient civilizations gracefully mingles with modern life. Right from the early years, Kochi has the cultural and trade relations with the outside world. She has also experienced pulsating episodes of European colonial rivalry.
Kochi has a fascinating blend of cultures. It is the most cosmopolitan of the state’s cities, Kochi has long been eulogised in tourist literature as the "Queen of Arabian Sea".
Cochin - The Queen of Arabian Sea
Cochin’s maritime history began in the remote past. The enlightened rulers of the past, with their cosmopolitan outlook, traded goods as well as knowledge with visitors from far off lands. From the ancient time onwards, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese followed the sea route to Cochin and left their impression on the town.
An interesting point is that Cochin is probably the only city in India formed from parts of three different states, viz: the two princely states of Travancore and Cochin, and the British Malabar.
Composed of coastal, high and midlands, Cochin is the most appealing commercial and tourist destinations of the state. The spreading backwaters carries many tiny natural islands which forms the Subland.
The city has a tropical humid climate with almost uniform temperature throughout the year. The total annual rainfall per year in the city is more or less the same as the total average rainfall per year of Kerala.
The lowland region of the city is blessed with a network of canals and backwaters. Vembanad and Granganore lakes stretch along the western and north-western coast of the Ernakulam district and many streams and rivulets empty themselves to these backwaters. Vembanad Kayal is a large specious lake with a length of 82 km and a maximum breadth of about 14 km, extending to an area of 205 sq. km. The waters of Pamba, Manimala, Achankovil, Meenachil and Muvattupuzha rivers are emptied in it. The backwaters, apart from providing facilities for navigation, provide the livelihood to a large section of people in the district. Coir spinning and inland fishing owe their existence to these backwaters. The backwaters have also facilitated the development of fairly large net work of inland water ways providing comparatively cheaper modes of transporting men and materials.
The tranquil Vaishnavite temple at Tripunithara, the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Cochin, The Hill Palace Museum rich in exhibits of bygone days, The Saivite Temple on the shore of the backwaters - all are living symbols of the native culture of Cochin. The Adi Sankara's abode at Kalady is an hour's drive away.
And when you want a respite from hectic work schedule, get on a boat and waft away along the backwaters of Kumarakom for an unforgettable exposure to the tranquil, contented life-style of the Malayalees.
Therefore, Cochin is in the midst of tourism festivities all around the year.
For further details and tourism information about Cochin,
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