Kochi, a major port city on the south-west coast of India by the Arabian Sea and the Laccadive Sea and is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala. Called as the the Queen of the Arabian Sea the city was an important spice trading city from the 14th century. It was also one of the first European colonies of colonial India. Kochi remained as the hold for the Portuguese till 1530 and afterwards it was occupied by both the British and the Dutch. It has been a port since 1341, when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants.
Today, Cochin stands as an important city and tourist place in Kerala. It is also popular with tourists heading south for religious tour. Each one of the mesmerizing places to visit in Kochi has some kind of historical and colonial significance to it. For those you want to tour this city, will not be disappointed as the city has a lot of exciting places to offer from beaches and backwaters, tea plantations and spice estates, hot steaming appams with stew and vibrant Kathakali performances – these and much more epitomize the God’s Own Country, Kerala on the global tourism map.
Football is the most passionate sport which is common among the locals of Kochi. The nation’s two major professional football teams are from this city i.e. FC Kochi and Chirag United Kerala. This city also boasts of having its own team for the ISL, Kerala Blasters FC. The team was runner’s up in the first and the third season of the ISL.
The Regional Sports Centre at Kadavanthra houses the Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academy
India’s third largest stadium and second largest cricket stadium, the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium located in Kaloor, is a major facility for football and cricket. Recently, the stadium was renovated to facilitate more cricket tournaments as well as for hosting IPL Matches. Kochi was home to the Indian Premier League cricket team, the Kochi Tuskers which won franchise rights to play IPL which participated in the 2011 edition of IPL. Kochi is selected as one of the six host cities for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in India. Because of this selection, huge investments and business opportunities are expected to come to the city.
Another major athletic facility is the Maharaja’s Stadium located on MG Road in the heart of the city with synthetic tracks and turf grass as per international standards. The Ambedkar stadium, maintained by GCDA, will be developed exclusively for Football with funds from Government of Kerala and FIFA. Spanish club Real Madrid has proposed to set up a football school in Kochi. The Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex at Kadavanthra is a major indoor stadium, mainly used for conducting badminton, tennis and basketball tournaments.
Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium locally known as Kaloor International Stadium is a multipurpose international stadium situated in Kochi, Kerala. The stadium is used mostly for association football (soccer) and cricket matches and it has a capacity of approximately 75000 spectators making it one of the largest stadiums in India(third largest cricket stadium in the world). The stadium was built in 1996 by the Government of Kerala with Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). The stadium is widely touted to be one of the noisiest cricket stadiums in the world due to its distinctive architecture. In fact, the Kochi crowd is so vociferous that during international cricket matches, it is very difficult for the umpires to hear minor edges off the bat by the ball for catches by the wicketkeeper. It is to be noted here that the stadium was originally built as a football stadium.
The stadium has played host to a number of international cricket and football matches. The extensive grounds of the stadium serve as venue for important exhibitions, cinema events and political rallies in the city. The most innovative aspect of the stadium is its unique lighting towers of 2 kW Floodlights which when switched on fully can provide lighting levels for HD telecast. The Structure of the tower is itself one of a kind in India. Greater Cochin Development Authority leased out the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium at Kaloor to the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for a period of 30 years.
The stadium acts as the home ground for teams including Kerala cricket team, Kerala Blasters FC (Indian Super League).
The stadium holds the privilege of having the fifth loudest crowd (128 db) in the world, during ISL 2016 final match where Kerala Blasters played against Atletico de Kolkata.
Kochi is selected as one of the six host cities for 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in India. This stadium will be the venue for matches in Kochi.
Kochi is a mixture of history and tradition woven together with modernization. The tourist places are both mesmerizing and captivating.
1. Mattancherry Palace – The Dutch palace, much like a typical Kerala house
Built by the Portuguese in the early 1557 and popularly known as the Dutch palace, this particular building is a famous place to visit in the town. It resembles a traditional Kerala house with four individual wings and a patio in between.
Located in Palace Road Mattancherry palace also has a courtyard in the center which has a beautiful temple of Bhagavati, the protective deity of Kochi community. Apart from that there are two other temples of Shiva and Krishna in this palace.
There is huge collection of beautiful fresco paintings on the walls while its beautiful lawns encircling the palace attract many tourists. With a minimum price of just Rupees per head, this palace is a must visit if one is in Kochi.
2. Indo-Portuguese Museum – An amalgamation of Indian and Portuguese culture
This museum is a mixture of both Indian and Portuguese culture, heritage and architecture. Built by former Bishop Joseph Urethra this grand museum is located in the Fort Kochi area. The museum is divided into 5 wings exhibiting Altar of Furniture, Treasure, Procession, Civil Life and Cathedral.
The museum consists of some highly valued artifacts like the Processional Cross made of silver and wood, Indo-Portuguese Monstrance, and Coat of Arms of the Francis.
3. Paradesi Synagogue – The Jewish church is among the b’ful places to visit in Cochin
Paradesi synagogue or the Jewish synagogue is one of the oldest buildings of the city. Built in 1568, this synagogue is located in Jew Town area of Cochin and was built by Cochin Jewish group or Malabar Yehudan people.
The paradesi synagogue has many antique artifacts like a carved teak ark with four scrolls of Torah (the first five books of Old Testament), silver and gold crowns, chandeliers made of Belgian glass, century old copper plates, hand-woven oriental carpet and a clock tower.
4. Hill Palace – A heritage museum dedicated to the Maharaja of Kochi
The Hill Palace is a heritage museum which belonged to the Maharaja of Kochi. This grand palace was built in 1865 and consists of total 49 buildings. Apart from beautiful gardens, there are a lot of important artifacts in the building.
The museum also has a modern day art gallery along with Kudakkallu (tomb stone), Thoppikkallu (hood stone), granite & laterite memorials, rock-cut armaments of the Stone Age, wooden temple replicas, and plaster cast prototypes of objects of Mohenjodaro and Harappa of the Indus Valley Civilization. A visit to the museum takes one to a place filled with
5. Folklore Museum – An interesting museum with an interesting facade
One of the most popular tourist places of the city this museum exhibits all the culture and the tribal folklore and the legacy associated with the city.
It has many kathakali masks, costumes and artifacts which belongs the Stone Age.
6. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary – A biosphere heaven for nature enthusiasts and bird-lovers
A biosphere reserve in the heart of the city is a home to many endangered and regular species of local and migratory birds. The Sanctuary has a tidal lake which is connected to the backwaters and is also a home to mangrove vegetation.
Different varieties of birds can be spotted like spot redshank, greenshank, brahminy kite, white breasted water hen and marsh sandpiper.
7. Santa Cruz Basilica – One of the oldest tourist places to visit in Cochi7
One of the 8 Basilicas, this church is one of the ancient churches of the country. The Cathedral church of the Diocese of Cochin and is considered as one of the heritage sites of the city.
One will be truly amazed by the gothic architecture of the church along with the innumerable historical paintings which hangs on the wall of the churches.
8. Cherai Beach – One of the most tranquil tourist places in Cochin
The Cherai beach is one of the most tranquil and pristine beach located in the state. This calm and serene beach is a perfect spot to enjoy a day or a weekend. This beach is located at the Vypin Island.
One can experience the backwaters, coconut grooves, paddy fields located alongside this beach.
9. Shiva Temple – One of the 7 royal temples in Kochi
Situated in the downtown Kochi, this temple is also known as Ernakulathappan Temple. It is one of the seven royal temples of Kochi and the deity is considered to be the guardian of the city.
The temple reflects the Malabar culture with its finely sculpted walls with intricate designs which would fascinate any visitor.
The 10 Best Restaurants In Kochi, India
Kerala cuisine has the finest to offer if you are in Kochi. The specially flavoured spices like turmeric, pepper, cardamom and ginger are paired with Kerala’s abundance of fish make the finest of dishes.
Arca Nova Restaurant
Overlooking the Arabian Sea, this hotel produces the finest and the freshest of fish dishes in Kochi. Specialised in Latin-Christian cuisine, the dishes served are perfectly blended with the appropriate spices. Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian dishes alongside appams – a fluffy fermented rice pancake are famous delicacy of this hotel.
Dal Roti
While majority of hotels in South specialise in their indigenous dishes, this hotel however serves varieties of north Indian dishes. The Kathi Rolls are the most famous cuisine of this hotel. While being in South, one must ensure he has the South Indian dishes; however a difference in taste is always welcomed!
Ginger House Restaurant
The only restaurant in India which is located inside a museum, the Ginger House serves food with a flavour of history. Going with its name, the restaurant specialises in ginger-based dishes, offering everything from ginger prawns, ginger ice cream and ginger lassi to ginger milkshakes and the zingy ginger tea.
Malabar junction
The true soul of Kerala can be experienced in the Malabar junction with the food and the ambience which the place offers. Located in the middle of beautiful Portuguese courtyard, the place is surrounded with scenic gardens. The place specializes in Kerala’s cuisine.
Solar Café
Set in the middle of the ornate building, the well lit and spacious hotel serves one of the finest of the dishes of the place. The balcony of the cafe is a perfect place to sit and relax and enjoy a warm cup of coffee while observing the scenic beauty of the surroundings. Apart from serving fresh juices, the cafe has wide varieties of books which one can enjoy over a cup of coffee.