India - Kerala - Ernakulam

History of Ernakulam

Ernakulam district formed on 1st April 1958 carving areas of erstwhile Travancore-Kochi-Malabar kingdoms. Major portion of the district is from the Kochi kingdom. The district consists of the mainland Ernakulam, the man made Willington Island, Mattanchery, Fort Kochi, world's most populous area of Vypeen Island, Bolghatty Palace etc. Kochi is the most modern city of Kerala where the best shopping, markets and bazars are located.
From time immemorial Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi and left their impressions in the town.

The Chinese fishing nets, believed to be erected in 1350 AD, swaying in the breeze over backwaters, the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, Portuguese Architecture, Bolghatty Palace etc. enrich the heritage of Kerala.

The word Ernakulam was drawn from a Tamil word Erayanarkulam means abode of Lord Shiva's. The present Ernakulam District include Paravur, Aluva, Kochi, Kanayannoor, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Kothamangalam Taluks which come under Fortkochi and Muvattupuzha Revenue Sub Division. Prior to the formation of Idukki District, Thodupuzha Taluk was also a part of Ernakulam District.

Ernakulam District was formed on April 1st 1958. The District which has an area of 895.3Sq.K.M. can be divided geographically as Highland, Midland and Coastal area. The altitude of Highland is about 1000 feet. The borders of the district are the Arabian Sea in the West, Thrissur District in the North, Idukki District in the East and Alappuzha and Kottayam District in the South. Periyar, Kerala's second largest river flows through all the Taluks except Muvattupuzha. Muvattupuzha river and a branch of Chalakkudy river all gifts of this District. Average rainfall yearly is 3431.8 mm and 139 rain days. As there are rivers, lakes and seas the region has a moderate climate. Temperature is between 31.3oCand 25.8oC . Many types of sands and soil and also rocks which are geological importance is abundant here.

Majority of islands in Kerala are in Ernakulam district which was from different parts of old Cochin-Travancore-Malabar area. The main islands of this district all man-made Willington Island,World's most populated Vypeen Island, Cheriya Kadamakkudi, Valiya Kadamakkudi, Ramanthuruthu, Ponjikkara, Vallarpadam, Kumbalam, Panangad, Cheppanam, Nettoor, Pizhala, Kankattuthuruthu, Korampadam, Cheranelloor, Chathanadu, Chendamangalam. All these islands are populated areas. All these islands are believed to have formed from the soil accumulated due to soil erosion of highlands.

Tourism

Bastion Bunglow Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667 AD, Bastion Bungalow get its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old, Dutch fort Ernakulam
Bhoothathankettu scenic dam site with boating facilities is situated in a vast virgin forest. It is a popular picnic sport with Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary near by. 50 km north east of Ernakulam town

Bolghatty palace built by the Dutch in 1744. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin. Today it is a hotel run by K.T.D.C. The grounds have a small golf course & several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour & the sea 3 kms from Ernakulam by Boat
Chendamangalam This land was once the abode of the Paliath Achans, the prime ministers of the Maharajas of Kochi. Their residence, the Paliam Palace represents the architectural splendour of Kerala. The Palace houses a collection of historic documents and relics. about 42 km from Ernakulam

Cherai Beach offers a unique combination of sea and backwaters rimmed by lush green coconut palms. 25 kms from Kochi

Children's Park A high-tech children's Park with Non-Conventional Energy Museum and Musical Fountain. The Children enjoy a lot with the facilities available here.

Chinese Fishing Nets A legacy of the trading connections between China and India many centuries ago. The long rows of chinese nets silhouetted against the sunset present a spectacular sight of Cochin's waterfront. Fort Kochi Beach

Chottanikkara Temple Mother Goddes worshipped in three different forms - as Saraswati in the morning - draped in white, as Bhadrakali at noon draped in crimson, and as Durga in the evening decked in blue 13 kms from Kochi
Dutch Palace, Mattancherry. The palace was originally built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma in 1555. It was later taken over by the Dutch who improved it through extensions and repairs in 1663. Mattanchery

Hill Palace The largest archeological museum of Kerala. Paintings, carvings, etchings and other trappings of royalty like majestic beds ,weapons and samples of epigraphy. 13 Kms from Cochin on the Ernakulam-Chottanikara route. Historical Museum Important scenes of Kerala history are portrayed through through Sculptures. Greeting the visitor outside is a statue of Parasurama , the mythological safe who is said to have created Kerala. 6 kms from Ernakulam at Edappally

Iringole Forest Temple Iringole Kavu, a temple in tropical rain forest in the middle of a town 8 kms from Kalady Town

Jewish Synagogue The Synagogue at Mattancherry built in 1568 is the oldest Synagogue in the Common Wealth Countries. It was partially destroyed in the war of 1662, but was rebuilt by Dutch. In the mid 18th century the clock tower was added. Fort Kochi

Kalady is the birth place of Adi Shankaracharya the great Indian Philosopher who lived in the 8th century. 2 shrines in memory of Sankaracharya - one for Dakshinamoorthy and the other for the Goddes Sharada. Kalady, 45 Kms from Cochin .

Kallil Temple A 9th century Jain temple shaped out of from a huge rock on a small hill in a picturesque surrounding. The visitor has to climb 120 steps to reach this rare historic temple. 22 kms from Kalady

Kanjiramattom Mosque It is believed that the mosque was erected over the mortal remains of a Muslim saint, Sheikh Parid. Another great Muslim saint, Baver is supposed to have prayed here and attained salvation. Kanjiramattom, 30 km from Kochi

Kodanad one of the largest elephant capturing centres of South India. In 1977 the elephant capturing came to an end, but the elephant kraal and training centre are still there intact. 45 kms. to the north east of Cochin city and 12 kms. to the east of Perumbavoor town

Kottayil Kovilakam at Chennamangalam, which was the seat of Kshatriya chieftains of Villarvattom is situated near the ancient Kunnathali temple. Chennamangalam is an important center of handloom weaving and coir manufacturing. 42 kms from ernakulam

Malayattoor A place of prayer and pilgrimage; made rich by the foot steps of St. Thomas the Apostle, who sowed the seeds of Christianity in this part of the world. 47 kms from Ernakulam
Marine Drive Marine Drive is considered to be one of the most beautiful part of Kochy city. The marine walk is the main hangout for the local populace as the view of the backwaters and the harbour from here is excellent.

Pallipuram Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1503. It is one of the oldest existing European monuments in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold it to the State of Travancore in 1789 This fort is situated in the northern extremity of the Vypeen Island at Pallipuram

Parikshit Thampuran Museum This museum features collections of the 19th century paintings , Pre-historic monuments , Old coins in a numismatic gallery,Scriptures in stone & Plaster of paris, Copies of mural paintings etc & the collection from the Cochin royal family. adjacent to the Shiva temple in Darbar Hall Road, Ernakulam

Santa Cruz Bascillica This Roman Catholic church is situated near the St.Francis church and is worth a visit.It is a specimen of portugese architecture built in 1503. ‘Frescoes’and mural paintings decorate the ceiling and interior parts of the church. Fort Kochi
St.Francis Church The first European church in India. Originally built in wood and named Santo Antonio in the 16th Century. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524. Fort Kochi

Thrikkakara Temple The "Vamanamoorthy" temple has notable inscriptions dating back to the 10th-13th century 8 Kms. From Kochi

Willingdon Island A manmade island named after Lord Willingdon a former British Viceroy to india. Cochin Harbour, Southern Naval Command, Best hotels in the city, Port Trust head quarters, major trading centers etc. are situated at Willingdon Island. Connected to the mainland by road-cum-railway Venduruthy Bridge

Pilgrime centres in Ernakulam

• St Francis Church: First church constructed by the Portuguese in India. Located at Fort Cochin.
• Roman Catholic Church: Has beautiful paintings. Located near the St Francis Church.
• St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica: Head of Syro-Malabar Eastern Catholic Church, with communion with Roman Catholic Church in Vatican.
• St. George Church Edappally , very famous for blessings
• Marth Mariam Church Kandanad– Ernakulam The Marth Mariam Church of Kandanad is believed to be about 600 years old. Since its inception, the church was renovated, remodeled and rebuilt on several occasions and the edifice in its present magnificent form appears to have been completed in AD 1910.
• St. Marys Church, Nagapuzha,Vazhakulam via Muvattupuzha
• Holy Magi Church, Piravom
• Jewish Synagogue: Made in 1568 at Mattancherry. Chinese ceramics and old testament are attractions here.
• Sree Sankaracharya Ashram: Located at Kaladi, 30 km away from Cochin.
• Malayattoor: Church constructed in memory of the visit of St Thomas. Every year thousands of believers visit here, mainly during the Easter season.
• Chottanikkara Bhagawati Temple: Enshrines Bhagawati - the mother Goddess, one of the most popular deities in Kerala. The town of Chotanikkara is located near the city of Ernakulam. Enroute is the Poornatrayesa Temple at Tripunittura.
• Sree Bhagavathi Temple:Located at Kothakulangara.-Thiruvithamcore devaswam Board Majour Temple having encient history.One Large Banian tree with jackfruit ,Mango ,Athi trees inside that.Really attractive and old one..
• Poornatrayesa Temple: Located at Thrippunithara.
• The Lakshmana Perumaal Temple: Located at Tirumoozhikkalam near Alwaye and Kaaladi.
• Iriangol Bhawagati Temple: Located at Perumbavoor near Alwaye.
• Kannamkulangara Vishnu Temple: Located at North Paravur.
• Kottuvallikkavu Bhagwati Temple: Located at Kottuvally near North Paravur.
• Mahadevar Temple: Located at Ernakulam.
• Mar Thoma Cheria Pally:Located at Kothamangalam.
• Edapally Ganapathy Temple: Located in Edapally near Ernakulam.
• Marattil Kottaram Bhagawathi Temple: Located at Maradu near Tripunithura.
• Mookambika Temple: Located at Paravur near Cochin.
• Mukkannur Kuttala Temple: Located at Kothakulangara North near Karukutty (Angamali).
• Onakkoor Bhagawati Temple: Located at Onakkur (Piravom).
• Pandara Parambu Shiva Temple: Located at Ernakulam (Mulavukkadu).
• Pandavathu Shiva Temple: Located at Maradu near Tripunithura.
• Pariyaram Vishnu Temple:Located at Aikernad near Tripunithura.
• Perumankavu Bhagawati Temple: Located at Arakkuzha near Alwaye.
• Tirumala Temple: Located at Ernakulam.
• Tirumaradi Durga Temple: Located at Piravom near Ernakulam.
• Thrikariyur Shiva Temple: Located at Thrikkariyoor(Kothamangalam)near Ernakulam.
• Thrikkara Temple: Located at Thrikkara near Alwaye and Kochi.
• Kallil Jain Temple: 13 km away from Perumbavoor. Very old. One of the few Jain temples in Kerala
• Mulanthuruthy Mar Thoman Church: Established between 1110 and 1125.