Climate

Because of its nearness to the sea, the climate of Ernakulam is tropical. This also gives Ernakulam a very pleasant weather round the year. The average maximum temperature can go up to 36.°C in summer months and to a minimum of 18.0°C in winter. Monsoon comes to Ernakulam in the month of May and remains there until November.

Geography of Ernakulum District, Kerala
   

The Ernakulum District has an area of 895.3Sq.k.m and can be divided geographically in to three well-defined parts such as Highland, Midland and Coastal area. The last one is also called as low land consisting of hills and forests, plains and the seaboard respectively. The altitude of Highland is about 1000 feet.

The borders of the district that is the four sides by which the district is surrounded are as follows: in the West the Arabian Sea, in the North Thrissur District, in the East Idukki District and in the South Alappuzha and Kottayam District. Periyar, which is Kerala`s second largest river, flows through all the Taluks except Muvattupuzha. Average rainfall of the district is 3431.8 mm, which is based on yearly basis and the total no of rainy days are 139. As there are rivers, lakes and seas the region has a moderate climate. Temperature is between 31.3oC and 25.8oC.

Periyar river The hilly or Eastern portion is formed by a section of Western Ghats. We can define as Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalm and Aluva can be called the hilly taluks. The midland consists mainly of plain land having natural facilities of drainage via backwaters and canals. The Parur taluk which lies in the flat delta region of the Periyar river and cut by several canals, which have resulted in the formation of many islands and entire Kochi Taluk as well as the western part of Kanayannur come under lowland region. Major part of Kunnathunadu and eastern portion of Kanayannur taluk come under mid land region. It can be seen, as 20 percent of the total area is mainly low land region.
Thodupuzha riverThodupuzha, Muvattupuzha, Aluva, Kunnathunadu and Parur taluks. The Chalakudi River, which flows through north of Aluva, also joins Periyar at Elanthikara. The rivers Kaliyar, Thodupuzhayar and Kothamangalamar join together to form Muvattupuzha River. During rainy season these rivers are full and heavy floods affect the low-lying areas on the banks, but in the summer season they generally go dry and narrow. The Periyar is stretched over with a length of 229 Kms. The river plays a prominent role in the development of agriculture, industrial and commercial sectors of the district.

The seacoast in this district falls entirely in Kochi Taluk. One of the major natural Harbours is Kochi Harbour and is also situated in this taluk. Many Islands can be seen scattered in the backwaters in Kochi and Kanyannur Taluk. The Main islands of this district are Willingdon Island, Vypeen, Ramanthuruth, Cheriya kadamakkudi, Bolgatty The district has two main rivers Periyar and Muvattupuzha out of which the former flows through Ponjikara, Vallarpadam, Valiya Kadamakudi, Kumbalam, Panangad, Chellanam, Nettoor, Pizhala, Korampadam and Chennur. Most of these islands are very small in size extending from less than a 1 sq.km. To 4 sq.kms.

A portion of the Vembanad Lake falls within the Kochi Taluk. The Kodungalloor Kayal and Varappuzha kayal are also present in this district.

Best time to visit Ernakulam is after the monsoons, between the months of July and September.

The railway junction and main bus stations are in Ernakulam. Two bridges built in colonial times, which don’t inspire much confidence now, link Ernakulam to Mattancherry and Fort Kochi. Bridges of more recent vintage connect Kochi to Bolgatty and Vypeen and to the elegant bypasses that ring greater Kochi all the way to the international airport, 34 kilometres away.

Transport options are plenty. Ferries are the cheapest way to travel, with some great views thrown in free. Ernakulam’s Main Jetty (for Vypeen, Willingdon Island, Fort Kochi and Vallarpadom) is next to the Children’s Park and Taj Residency, off Foreshore Road. Another jetty in Ernakulam is near the High Court (for Bolgatty) on Shanmugham Road.

Autorickshaws are handy for negotiating the back streets of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry.

Distance 218 km north of Trivandrum, 223 km south of Kozhikode, 531 km south-west of Bangalore Journey Time 5½ hrs from Kozhikode and 5 hrs from Trivandrum by road

Route from Kozhikode NH17 to Edapally via Feroke, Kuttipuram, Kodungalloor and Paravur; NH47 to Ernakulam; NH47A to Kochi

Route from Trivandrum NH47 to Ernakulam via Kollam, Kayamkulam, Alappuzha and Sherthalai; NH47A to Kochi

Route from Bangalore NH7 to Toppur via Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri; state highway to Bhavani; NH47 to Ernakulam via Coimbatore, Palakkad and Thrissur; NH47A to Kochi

 Kochi is linked to Willingdon Island by a pair of bridges. Willingdon Island is linked to Ernakulam on the mainland by the 6-km NH47A. Ernakulam is on NH47 that links Salem to Kanyakumari via Palakkad (146 km), Thrissur (79 km), Ernakulam, Alleppey (63 km), Kollam (147 km) and Trivandrum (210 km). NH17, which starts at Mumbai, ends at Edappally, just north of Ernakulam, via Panjim, Mangalore, Kannur, Kozhikode and Kodungalloor.
Bus Ernakulam’s KSRTC Bus Stand  has daily services to almost all the destinations in this guidebook, from Bekal in the far north to Trivandrum in the south.

Ernakulam Town  and Ernakulam Junction  stations serve Kochi, both well-connected by the Cannanore, Netravati and Parashuram express trains from Kozhikode and Trivandrum. Ernakulam is connected daily to Mumbai by the Netravati and Mangla Lakshadweep expresses. The latter begins at Delhi, to which Ernakulam is also connected by the biweekly Trivandrum Rajdhani. The Kanyakumari and Ernakulam expresses are daily links from Bangalore. Trivandrum Mail, Madras Guruvayur and Alleppey expresses are all good daily links from Chennai. Less frequent services come from Kolkata, including the Howrah-Trivandrum Express.

Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery (34 km/ 3/4 hr, )north of the city near Angamali, is connected daily to Trivandrum, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mumbai, Chennai and Colombo, six days a week to Agatti, thrice a week to Coimbatore and twice to Goa

Kochi has a magnificent all weather natural port. Regular boat service to places like Kottayam and Alleppey are available through the scenic backwaters of Kerala

SREE RAJESWARI TEMPLE , CHOTTANIKARA

Situated at a distance of about 15 kms from Kochi, the Sree Rajeshwari Temple, Chottanikkara is unique in its own right. Here the Goddess is worshipped as Sarawati in the moming, Bhadrakali at noon and Durga in the evening. This temple having the reputation as a place of redemption from evil spirits, has a temple pond known as Rakthakulam, a dip in which is believed to remove the evil sprits from possessed individuals.
The annual nine day festival is marked by Aarattu performed everyday unlike  the other temples . Large number of devotees come to this temple especially on Makam Thozhal on the 7th day, which is considered to be auspicious for women following a belief that it gives the unmarried women mangalya, (matrimonial bliss), Caparisoned elephants line up for Pooram, on the eight day and a spectacular display of the fire works marks the conclusion of the festival. Navarathri is also celebrated with emphasis on musical concerts.


SIVA TEMPLE , ERNAKULAM

The deity of this ancient temple situated at the heart of Cochin city, is popularly known as Ernakulathappan. The annual festival is an eight-day event and on all these days inside the temple the Seeveli procession with 9 tuskers and the Panchavadyam is held twice a day. On the seventh evening, Pakalpooram is conducted. Kathakali, Ottanthullal, music concerts are presented by renowned artists. The festival concludes with the Arattu.


BHAGAWATHY TEMPLE, PUTHIYAKAVU

This temple is located near Thripunithura, 11 kms from Ernakulam. It celebrates a seven-day festival every year. The third and fourth days are very auspicious for unmarried women and they come to offer thalams. On the last night Thookam is performed followed by a fire works display to conclude the festival.


SREE POORNATHRAYEESA TEMPLE, THRIPUNITHURA

Devoted to Lord Krishna, this temple is one of the most important temples in Kerala. The temple festival here attracts devotees from every part of Kerala.


SREE KRISHNA SWAMY TEMPLE, CHITTOOR

This temple 8 kms from Ernakulam celebrates an 8 day festival Ezhunullathu procession in which the deity is ceremoniously taken around the temple in a specially decorated chariot, Garuda Vahanam take place every day starting from the second day. Kaathakali is presented on the first five evenings.


St. THOMAS SHRINE , MALALAYATTUR

This popular shrine situated at the top of a hill nearly 2000 ft. high in Malayattur, 52 kms from Ernakulam is believed to be one of the seven churches built by St. Thomas, apostle of christ. The annual feast of this church is observed on the Sunday after Easter, on the day of the 1st moon after the Vernal Equinon. The Octave is celebrated on the following Sunday.


SRINGERI MADAM, ADHI SANKARA JANMA BHOOMI, KALADY

This is the birth place of Adhi Sankara, the Advaitha philosopher and is on the banks of river Periyar, formally known as Poorna river.,It celebrates a ten day festival during Navarathri and procession lead by a decorated temple chariot is conducted. Eminent artists present classical music concerts during the festival days. On Sankara Jayanthi, the birthday of Sankara a Vedic discourse and debate is conducted in which Vedic scholars from all over the world participates.


MAHADEVA TEMPLE , THRIKARIYUR, KOTHAMANGALAM

This ancient Siva temple celebrates a ten-day festival. Commencing with flag-hoisting the festival presents Kurathiyattam , Chakkiyarkoothu, Patakkam rrtc., On the last three days, elephants escort the image of the deity for a procession around the temple.


KADAMATTAM CHURCH, KADAMATTAM

This church renowned for its legendary priest ‘Kadamattath Kathanar’ is 35 kms to the south-east of Ernakulam.Two feasts are celebrated, during January-February and April – May. The first feast is believed to be the death anniversary of either the priest or his guru.


St. MARYS CHURCH, VALLARPADAM

This Catholic Church situated in a small island of Ernakulam is believed to have been established in 1676 by the Portugese. The annual feast of Vallarpadathamma (St. Mary) lasts more than a week. A fair is conducted here at this time.


KANJIRAMATTAM MOSQUE

This mosque 25 kms from Erankulam is said to have been erected over the mortal remains of Sheik Faridudeen and it is also believed that the great muslim saint Vaver prayed here and attained Eternal bliss. The Kodikuthu festival is observed on the 14th of January every year and famous Chandanakuda Mahotsavam is at night. The procession with six caparisoned elephants and folk arts such as Aravanamuttu, Chendamelam, Doobakali etc, is the main attraction. Cultural fare includes Oppana, Mappila Pattu etc.


SIVA TEMPLE, ALUVA

The unique feature of this temple, the venue for the famous Alwaye Sivarathri is that the idol Sivalinga is not enshrined in any pagoda, but stands on the vast sand banks. On the night of Sivarathri pilgrims keep awake and recitie the puranas and in the early morning perform Vavubali in honour of their forefathers. A fair is also organised for a month from the Sivarathri day.daily Ezhunnallippu of the deity atop a caparisoned elephant, a procession known as Dikvijayam is conducted on the third and fourth days, and pallivetta ceremony on the fifth day. The festival concludes with the Aarattu known as Thapotsavam.


AZHAKIYAKAVU BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE, PALLURTHY

This temple celebrates a twenty two day long festival. On the last three days, grand processions led by decorated elephants are held to the accompaniment of Panchavadhyam. Various temple art forms are performed during the festival. The festival concludes with a magnificient display of fire works. Pulavanibham, a trade fair held here also attracts many. 

   
   
Culture of Ernakulam District
   

Festival at Siva Temple of AluvaImportant temples of the district are Shiv temple of Aluva, Chottanikkara, Thrikkakkara, Thrippunithura, Ernakulam, Ponnurunni, Palarivattom, Chowara, Sreenarayanpuram and Perumbavoor. Kalady is famous because of the fact that Adisankara was born at that place. There is a famous Christian pilgrim Center at Malayattoor present in this District. The festival starts at April 10 and lasts for 10 days. St. George Church at Kadamattam is very old and was founded by Mar Abo Metropolitan in 5th Century A.D. He brought a cross from Persia, which is still preserved in the church. The name of Kadamattathu Kathanar is associated with this church.

The festival at the church of Vallarpadam on September 24 is very famous and attracts people belonging to all religions. The icon of Virgin Mary in this church is credited with many miracles. St. George Florence Church at Edappally is considered to be the oldest church in Kerala, which was founded in 593 A.D. before that St. Thomas founded the 7 churches. A large number people are fed for the feast of St. Joseph on March 19 in St. Antonys church situated at Kannamaly.

Another worth mentioning festival is the Easter Festival at St. Marys Church at Piravom. One of the ancient mosques in Kerala is at Kanjiramattam.

Chavittu Natakom
The Chavitty Natakom is the famous Neo-classical dance form of the Coastal belt of Ernakulam District. The Portuguese influence in Kerala helped the spread of Christianity along the South West Coast. As a result, a new type of community was slowly brought into existence, which being cut off from its original set up had to look upon the westerner for cultural sustenance.

Out of this situation there was born a new art form with songs, dialogues and dances similar to the miracle plays of the west. They are known as Chavittu Natakom. The influence of the west can be shown in the stage settings, introduction of certain costumes, etc.

Some of the important plays, which are staged at that time, were Genoa, Caralman, Charitham, Napoleon charitham, etc. Mainly the Places like Gothuruth, Mundamvely, Varapuzha were famous for this art form.

St Francis Church

Location - Fort Kochi
USP - Body of late explorer Vasco Da Gama was originally buried here
Timings – 9. 30 am to 1 pm, 2 to 5 pm, Mass on Sundays.
 
The Church at Fort Kochi was built in 1503. Church is very simple with not much of Architectural work done. The church stands as a milestone in our history and in the church architecture of India. Many churches are built in India keeping the Saint Francis Xavier Church of Cochin in mind.
The church was categorized as a protected monument in 1923, under the Protected Monuments Act of 1904. St Francis Church is also famous because Vasco-Da- Gama, died here in 1524 on his third visit and was buried in this church. Later after 14 years his remains were shipped to Lisbon but the gravestone is still here.
 
Santa Cruz Cathedral

Location ­- Fort Cochin
USP - Amongst the oldest churches in India & is one of the eight Basilicas in India
Timings – 9 am to 1 pm; 3 to 5 pm, Mass timings Daily 6am and 6 pm(Malayalam)
Contact no. - 2215799
The Santa Cruz Cathedral not only happens to be one of the oldest churches in Cochin, but also in the whole of India. Tourists visit the church, the whole year round.
In 1795, the Britishers shattered the church but a highly structured granite pillar of the church remained standing. The pillar is still kept on the southeastern corner of the present Basilica. The church was reconstructed and on November 19, 1905 it was sanctified. The architecture of the church is a combination of the Indo-European and the gothic style.
 
St George Ferona Church

Location- Edapally
USP- Annual festival in April - May

This Roman Catholic Church was built in 594 AD. The church is one of the oldest churches of Kerala. It is belived that the holy being of the church has the power of getting rid of snakes. The church is also quite popular amongst the non-Christians, who also visit the church for reverence. At the time of festival, several stalls are put selling wares of different kinds, made mainly out of mud. The festival begins on the 23rd of April with a solemn High Mass and Litany. This nine-day festival at the St George Ferona Church near Cochin is a real majestic affair.
 
St. Mary`s Church

Location - Vallarpadam Island
USP - Picture of Virgin Mary
How To Reach -  just 45 minutes, by ferry 

Vallarpadam is a little island located in the middle of the Cochin backwaters. It can only be accessed through water. It is a major Christian pilgrim center because of the St Mary`s Church. The church looks like a gem on the island. The church was built in 1676 and has a famous picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Portuguese missionaries, who had brought it from their native land, installed this picture here. It is believed that the picture has some miraculous powers. The church was declared as a special church in the year 1888, den in 1951 the Union Government declared it as a major pilgrim center. On 12 February 2005, the church was given the status of a basilica. On 24th September every year, the feast of Vallarapadath Amma is held here. It`s a weeklong celebration, which goes along with by a huge fair. People of all religion celebrate the seven-day festival.
 
Poornathrayeesa Temple

Location - Tripunithura (10 kms from Ernakulam)
USP – Supposed to built by the Arjuna of Mahabharata and is famous for its annual festivals

The temple is located at Tripunithura, at a distance of about 10 kms southeast of Ernakulam. There are several temples at Tripunithura and due to which it is also referred to as the Land of Temples. The Poornathreyesa Temple is amongst one of them. It is belived that Arjuna, from the epic of Mahabharata, built this temple. The temple is dedicated to lord Maha Vishnu, who is also called as Sree Poornathrayeesa.
 
Apart from a place of worship, the temple is also known for its annual festivals. Vrishchikoltsawam, the main festival at the temple takes place in the month of November/December. A procession of decorated elephants is taken out on the fourth day. A golden pot is kept on a raised platform during the festival and it is belived that the
person  who makes offerings here gets good luck in return.
The other popular festival celebrated here is the Athachamayam, which is held during the harvest festival of Onam.

Jewish Synagogue

USP - Rated as the oldest synagogue in all the 53 member-countries of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Timings -10 am to 1 pm; 3 pm to 4 pm.,
Closed on: Saturdays and Jewish holidays
 
The Jewish Synagogue here is the oldest synagogue in all the Commonwealth of Nations and is also known as Paradesi Synagogue and Mattancherry Synagogue. It tops the list of the places to be seen in the itinerary of the tourists visiting the city. Cochin Jewish community constructed the synagogue in 1568. Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers beautifully decorate the monument, which remains intact till date. As customary with Hindu and Muslim religious places, the worshippers enter the grounds of the Jewish Synagogue barefoot.

Kerala has a rich stock of historic and cultural monuments that represent a unique mixture of various styles of architecture, sculpture and art. Nalukettu is the main architectural style employed in the region, though in regions like Fort Kochi, an interesting mix of Chinese, European, Jewish and Arabic styles are visible in the architecture. The monument categories of Kerala include temples, churches, mosques, forts, palaces, houses and mansions. Some of the significant monuments in Kerala are Krishnapuram Palace, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Kaudiar Palace and the Hill Palace.

All about when the sun goes away and grown ups come out to play

Like other major cities in India, Kochi is a shopper's delight with textiles, readymade garments, jewellery, handi crafts, antiques as well as spices. Kochi city has a wide range of shops to cater to the needs of the tourists. With factory outlets opening up in the city, fancy, ready to wear brands are available at reasonable prices for the fashion conscious Kochinites.

The major shopping centers are located on the M.G road, Broadway and Marine Drive in the mainland Ernakulam and Jew Town in Mattancherry. Kadavanthara, half a km east of downtown Kochi and the adjacent Vytilla Junction is also fast developing into shopping centres in their own right.

M.G.Road
The Mahatma Gandhi Road (M.G road) earlier known as the Seventy-feet Road, branches off from Banerji Road in its north end right up to Thevara Junction down south covering approximately four kilometers. M.G. Road is today the city's main commercial centre housing
retail shops selling all kind of goods such as textiles, ready made garments,  jewellery, toys, home furnishing, handicrafts, decorative items etc. Outlets of International Ready to Wear brands such as Van Heusen, Arrow, Lee, Bennetton, Allen Solly, Louis Philippe and leading Indian brands such as Park Avenue are located on this road. Raymonds and Only Vimal are good places to buy suit lengths. For casuals, Graffiti at Hotel Abad Plaza is a good option with reasonable prices. For large collection of  ready-mades and textiles for the whole family including sarees, salwars etc visit Seematti, at the northern end, Jayalakshmi and Parthas near Jos Junction on the MG road.

M.G. Road also has some excellent jewellery shops selling both traditional, ethnic and modern jewellery. Allapattu House, Alukkas, Josco and Bhima here are some of the largest showrooms. Bata, Boots and Woodlands on M.G. road and Mesco's in Jos junction are good places to buy shoes. The Kerala State Handicrafts Development Corporations Showroom Kairali and Kathais near Jos Junction and Khadi Bhavan, have excellent collection of handicrafts and Khadi products including pure Khadi cotton and silk, Kolhapuri Chappals etc. respectively. Convent Road, branching westwards from the MG road, has a growing number of exclusive boutiques and outlets for the trendy and brand-conscious. The Esplanade building in the convent junction has showrooms selling ready to wear International brands. Besides the shopping malls, MG road has a number of hotels and restaurants and Cinema halls for entertainment

Marine Drive
The Marine Drive or the Shanmugham road on its left side has the lively GCDA commercial complex and the Pioneer Towers along the water front, which houses a variety of showrooms selling a range of wares from perfumes, watches, bags & suitcases, music cassettes and CD's, textiles to refrigerators, many business establishments and several fast food cafes and restaurants. The Penta Menaka complex on the right side of  Shanmugham Road, also has fast food cafes and restaurants, and a variety of duty free shops selling mainly electronic items and mobile Phones. On the eastern side, the Penta Menaka complex opens out to Broadway. The shops in these complexes usually open at 10am and close around 8pm on weekdays and remains closed on Sundays.

Broadway
Broadway, despite its name is a narrow road lined with shops running parallel to the Marine Drive. This was the city's busiest commercial centre in the yesteryears. Even now Broadway is always busy and the best buys include clothes and spices.

Ernakulam Market 
The Northern end of Broadway is the Ernakulam Main Market selling fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, meat,

Kadavanthara & Vytilla
Kadavanthara junction half a km east of downtown Kochi and the adjacent Vytilla Junction is fast developing into shopping centres in their own right. The GCDA (Greater Cochin Development Authority) and Rajiv Gandi Indoor stadium, the second largest of its kind in India is located in Kadavanthara. Kadavanthara has a number of shopping malls and showrooms including Varkeys, The big Graffiti etc. Vytilla has its own shopping malls with V-Mart supermarket and Kemco selling branded clothes, luggage, leather bags and belts etc including international and local brands and Wardrobe with casuals for youngsters. Kemco and Wardrobe are seconds sale outlets which offers designer
ware and branded clothes at reasonable prices. Other such outlets include Raymond Seconds and Priceless.

Jew Town
The area around the Synagogue in Mattancherry,  is a major centre of spice trade and curio shops.

Kerala veg. food is tasty and mostly coconut based. There is always the famous Aapam and stew, iddiyappam, puttu and kadala and much more.

If you eat fish you have to try the sea food in Kerala. Fantastic indeed. Do not forget to eat Karimeen fry.


To buy spices you should go to Broadway in Ernakulam.

The Hill Palace Museum, Thripunithura (Open 0900 -1230 hrs; 1400 - 1630 hrs. Closed on Mondays):

10 km from Kochi, Hill Palace, the official residence of the erstwhile Kochi royal family, was built in 1865. The palace complex consists ofThe Hill Palace Museum, Ernakulam Tourism 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala and is surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with a deer park and facilities for horse riding. A full-fledged ethno-archaeological museum and Kerala's first ever heritage museum are the main attractions. Displayed inside the thirteen galleries are oil paintings, 19th century paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and plaster of Paris, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins belonging to the royal family.

Parikshith Thampuran Museum:
This museum houses a collection of coins, bronzes, copies of murals and megalithic relics of Kerala.

Sasthamkotta Lake
Sasthamkotta known as the ‘queen of lakes’ has the fresh Water Lake spreading over the area. It is situated 29 kms away from Kollam.

Vembanadu Lake
Vembanad lake and various other canals provide boating, canoeing, fishing and sight seeing. The vivid blue and green palm fringed backwaters of Kottayam is a main source of attraction to the tourists.

Lakes of Alappuzha
Alappuzha is considered as a prime area of backwater tourism and angling. The town has several canals and lakes fit for boat cruise. A journey by boat through the lakes is a memorable experience. The watercourses are flanked by coconut trees, which leave and swing to the tune of gush. A ride by boat or by country craft from Changanassery to Alappuzha through Punnamada Lake will provide an unforgettable sight of some of the paddy fields and stretches of coconut palm groves.

Pookkode Lake
Pookkode, the fresh Water Lake is located between Lakkidi and Pookkode. Surrounded by lush green forests, it is about 2000 m. above mean sea level. There is boating a facility for tourists in the lake.

Ashtamudi Lake
Ashtamudi Lake is another important lake in Kerala, which lies in Kollam district. It is called Ashtamudi because it has eight 'mudis'(channels). In form and nature this lake has its peculiarities. It has a length of 16 Kms. Kalladayar is an important river that flows into this lake. Through the Neendakara estuary Ashtamudi Lake finds its way into the sea.

Bestseason

May to September is the best season to visit Ernakulam.From May it is monsoon season.

Tourist offices
*District Tourism Promotion Council
Old Collectorate Building, Park Avenue Road Ernakulam. Tel: 0484-2367334
TIP Information for Ernakulam District

*Tourism Information Counters
Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, Main Office, Government Guest House, near St Theresa’s College
Shanmugham Road, Ernakulam. Tel: 2360502

*Information Counter, Nedumbassery Airport. Tel: 2610115, extension 2105

*KTDC Tourist Reception Centre
Opp Hotel Taj Residency, Shanmugham Road Ernakulam, Kochi. Tel: 2353234
Fax: 2382199; Website: ktdc.com

*India Tourism, Government of India Tourist Office, Willingdon Island, Kochi
Tel: 2669125; Telefax: 2668352
All-India Tourist Helpline: 1913
STD code 0484

State Bank of India
L.I.C. Building
M.G. Road
Ernakulam
Cochin-682011

State Bank of India
Ernakulam South, Ernakulam Junction
Ernakulam
Cochin-682011

Oriental Bank
Majestic Filling Station, Lisie Junction
Ernakulam
Cochin-682018

Lakshmi Vilas Bank
#818
1st Floor
Chittoor Road, Karthika
Ernakulam
Cochin-680018

Dena Bank
INCS Complex
Naval Base
Ernakulam
Cochin-682001

Axis Bank
Rajagiri College of Social Sciences
Ground Floor
Chavara Block, Rajagiri, Kalamassery
Ernakulam
Cochin-682035

Places To Visit

The Cochin Club
The club, with its impressive library and collection of sporting trophies, is housed in a beautifully landscaped park. In the early 1900s, when the club had just become operational, admission was restricted to the British and to men only. Today, though the club retains its traditional English ambience, its rules are more liberal and the membership of 250 includes women as well. Strangely enough, alcohol is not served on the premises.

Mattancherry Palace
(Dutch Palace) (Open 1000 - 1700 hrs. Closed on Fridays): Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. On display here are beautiful murals depicting scenes from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, and some of the Puranic Hindu legends. The palace also houses Dutch maps of old Kochi, royal palanquins, coronation robes of former maharajas of Kochi as well as period furniture.

Cherai Beach
This lovely beach bordering Vypeen island is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are occasionally seen here. A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby is an added attraction.

Bolghatty Island
This island is famous for its palace of the same name. The Bolghatty Palace was built in 1744 by the Dutch and later taken over by the British. Today it is a hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, with a small golf course and special honeymoon cottages.

Willingdon Island
Named after Lord Willingdon, a former British Viceroy of India, this man-made island is surrounded by beautiful backwaters. The island is the site of the city's best hotels and trading centres, the Port Trust and the headquarters of the southern naval command