Ernakulam / Kochi - The Queen of Arabian Sea

Ernakulam / Kochi - The Queen of Arabian Sea

Ernakulam forms a part of the greater kochi corporation which was recently formed joining the adjacent parts of the old Kochi and Ernakulam. Ernakulam is the commercial capital of Kerala. Almost two third of the sales tax is being contributed by Kochi itself is the proof for it’s business magnitude.

Kochi has much more than it’s glitter as a business centre. The rich history of this town is unparalleled. Kochi was ruled by the Dutch, the British and generations of local kings. Each of the rulers have contributed tremendously to the culture and landscape in their own way making this town a collage of diverse cultures. The Chinese nets, still widely used for fishing in the backwaters around Kochi illustrate a centuries old link between India and China. History states that there were numerous Jewish settlements in Kerala. The Jew street in Kochi and the Synagogue beside are sentinels of the bygone era when Jews flocked to this land to escape from religious persecution and found their abode here. Later when Israel was formed most of the Jews migrated to their place of origin. Till now most of the people left communicates their old neighbors with love and affection.

People of Kochi can never forget an English man Mr. Robert Bristow -The great visionary who built the Willington Island Up from the back waters. A multi beneficial deal , first they got an island afresh then the back waters got deepened so that big ships could visit the harbor adding prosperity and development to the region. The two bridges connecting the island from main land are also of relevance Thoppumpady and Venduruthy - centuries old still intact.

Kochi has many more reminders of bygone era The Bolgatty Island with the magnificent palace built by the Dutch during their short spell of reign has a good golf course also. Parikshith Museum and Hill Palace Museum at Thripunithura are reminders of the former Kings and their contributions to the civilization of this piece of land. About five kilometers north of Ernakulam there is the Kerala Historical Museum-a well maintained one where centuries stand frozen before the viewers.

Kochi is a very modern city with palatial shopping malls with very wide selection, (shop till you drop-as they tell in the adds) expensive restaurants and innumerable sky scrappers with residential and business facilities. The streets are crowded with expensive cabs and buses. There are two railway stations Ernakulam Jn. and Ernakulam town. Ernakulam Junction is the busiest one in Kerala and trains to all destinations are available here. There are two Air ports one in the Willington Island and the other one is at Nedumpassery known as the Cochin International Airport. The airport at the island is exclusively for the Naval force who have a large base at the island.

Want to celebrate any festival just go to Kochi wander in the crowded streets fill your mind , then shop till you drop fill your baggage, then go to any eatery select any cuisine fill your stomach –happy celebration of any festival – whether Onam ,Christmas or Ramadan.!!!! Happy shopping !!!!!

Author: Sasi Kumar

Source: Naturemagics.com - website on Kerala Tourism

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