With a history stretching back to the time of king Solomon when it was known as the “Queen of the Arabian sea” Kochi has been a hot stop. Arab, Phoenocian & Chinese traders stopped in search of spices while Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama, Dutch East India Companu & the British followed. Curling around water, Kochi is made up of several islands and 2 main centers. Ernakulam & Fort Kochi/ Mattancherry. Highly cosmopolitan, people live together between Chinese fishing nets ,architecture dominated by Dutch & British styles and the mood heavy Jew Town.
13 km from Ernakulam this museum displays the erstwhile wealth and prosperity of the royal family of Cochin, including the King`s throne and crown. Also on show are other trappings of royalty like majestic beds, paintings, carvings and samples of epigraphy. Tripunithura is also known for the nearby Chottanikara Temple and the Tripunithura Poornathrayeesa Temple.
Chennamangalam presents a rare geographical combination of rivers, seven inlets, a hillock and a vast expanse of green plains. It is located 5 Kms from north Paravur, north-west of Ernakulam. The place is surrounded by rivers on all 3 sides, Chennamangalam was the abode of the famous Achans of Paliam who were hereditary prime ministers to the Raja of Cochin Kottayil Kovilakam. The hillock presents an unusual sight of a Hindu temple, a church and a Jewish Synagogue all closely located next to each other, There is a seminary built in 1075 by Jesuit Priests, It was here that printing first began in Kerala in 1577. Another attraction of the place is the Malanappara made up of holders lying one over the other resembling an elephant from a distance.
The highlight of Cochin is a boat ride through the backwaters to all the islands. The most beautiful of all the islands is Bolgatty built by the Dutch. Today it has been converted into a hotel run by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.
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