Kochi

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Kochi is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city is one of the principal seaports of the country and is located in the district of Ernakulam, about 220 kilometres (137 mi) north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. It has an estimated population of 600,000, with an extended metropolitan population of about 1.5 million, making it the largest urban agglomeration and the second largest city in Kerala after the capital.

South India Travel » Kochi » Trivandrum » Kollam » Alleppey » Chennai

Before the arrival of the Portuguese, the history of Kochi is somewhat obscure. Kochi rose as an independent kingdom from the ruins of the Kulasekhara Empire. The advent of the Portuguese in Kochi proved to be the turning point in its history. The Kochi Rajas readily welcomed the Portuguese, seeing in them a valuable ally against the common enemy, the Zamorin of Calicut.

History
Kochi was the centre of Indian spice trade for many centuries, and was known to the Yavanas (Greeks) as well as Romans, Jews, Arabs, and Chinese since ancient times. Kochi rose to significance as a trading centre after the port at Kodungallur (Cranganore) was destroyed by massive flooding of the river Periyar in 1341. The earliest documented references to Kochi occur in books written by Chinese voyager Ma Huan during his visit to Kochi in the 15th century as part of Admiral Zheng He's treasure fleet.There are also references to Kochi in accounts written by Italian traveller Niccolò Da Conti, who visited Kochi in 1440.

Climate & Clothing
The climate of Kochi is tropical, because of its closeness to sea. The city enjoys a pleasant weather round the year, with no harsh extremities. The average maximum temperature in summers can go up to 38°C and to a minimum of 18°C in winters. Monsoon comes to the city in the month of June and remains until September. Cochin can be visited any time in the year but the best time to visit the city is from October to April. The tropical climate recommends light cotton clothes in summers and woollens in winters. Waterproofing is required during monsoons.

Famous Tourist Places in Cochin

St. Francis Church: Believed to be the oldest church built by the Europeans in India, it is the principal landmark in Fort Kochi. This historic church was constructed around the site of St. Bartholomews, a wooden structure erected by the five Portuguese priests who accompanied Alberqueque to Kochi in 1503. Hitherto confined only to royalty, the singular privilege of building a church with mortar and stone, roofed with tiles, was extended to the Franciscan priests by the Kochi Raja. The fact that the church was also the original burial site of Vasco da Gama before his remains were shipped to Lisbon in Portugal, has added to its historic value. Only his tombstone remains today. Preserved inside the church are several inscriptions on leaves, which shed some light on the life and times of the Portuguese and Dutch settlers. In the interior of the church, a plain arch separates the chancel from the nave. The church was originally dedicated to the patron saint of Portugal, Santo Antonio.

Santa Cruz Basilica: Situated close to the St. Francis Church, this Roman Catholic Cathedral, established in 1557, is a must-see for history buffs. In the 18th century, the British used it as a warehouse. But the church regained some of its lost glory after it was rebuilt in the early 20th century. The pastel interiors have ceilings that are adorned with some of the most exquisite paintings. Its carved wooden panels and pulpit are fine specimens of craftsmanship.

Chinese Fishing Nets: Fishing being an important commercial activity in Kochi, visitors can see large Chinese fishing nets standing out at the mouth of the Kochi harbour. It was the Chinese traders, hailing from the court of Kublai Khan who brought the fixed, cantilevered, Chinese fishing nets to the coast of Kerala. The nets are also strung along the backwaters between Kochi and Kottayam, and between Alappuzha and Kollam. The nets are used mainly during high tide.

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