"Ernakulam" redirects here. For the administrative district, see Ernakulam District
Ernakulam (എറണാകുളം Eṟaṇākulaṁ) is the heart and transport hub of Kochi. It has three distinct parts: the "Central Business District" (CBD) which has Mahatma Gandhi Road (MG Road) as the main arterial road along with Marine Drive and Chittoor Road; "Downtown" with upscale residential areas and the business district at SA Road and Vytilla Junction and the "Suburb" which has many business and commercial areas.
Get in
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Map of Ernakulam
See
[edit]- 1 Durbar Hall Ground, DH Rd. The venue for many fairs during festivals and regular evening concerts and other programmes. Free.
- 2 Matsyafed Milky-way Aqua-Tourist Village, Malipuram Village, Vypin (12 km from city centre), ☏ +91 4829 273 314. 10AM-5PM. A unique concept where a large shrimp farm of the state-run cooperative Matsyafed is converted into an aqua-tourist village with options to fish for fresh prawns, crabs and shrimp for a nominal fee, canoeing within a mangrove forest, sun-bathing, swimming at a private beach nearby and enjoying sunset picnic cruise. Breakfast and lunch are included in entry cost and have a wide range of fish delicacies and pickles. ₹100 per person.
Museums
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Cochin Royal Crown
The biggest highlight of Hill Palace, is the display of Royal Crown, crafted in pure gold weighting 1.75 kg with 95 diamonds and 2,000 other precious stones. It was a gift by the Portuguese to Veera Kerala Varma on his coronation day, which was regarded too extravagant for the Kochi Rajas, who were known for their simple lifestyle. This became a famous tradition that no Cochin Maharajas ever wore this crown, only to keep it on his lap as a testimony of his humility and simplicity. Nearly ten golden crowns were given to the Rajas by the various colonial powers of Dutch, English, Chinese, Arabs which were never worn by the Maharajas. |
- 3 Hill Palace Museum, Hill Palace Rd, Thripunithura (12 km southeast of Ernakulam), ☏ +91 484 2781113. 10AM-12:30PM; 2-4:30PM (Crown Gallery closes at 4PM) (closed Mondays). The erstwhile Kochi Maharaja's palace, now converted to a large museum with a small zoo. Has paintings and epigraphy from collections of Travancore and Cochin royal families. It is the largest archaeological palace in South India with more than 500 artifacts divided into 16 galleries. The highlight of the Palace is the display of multi-billion worth Cochin Royal Crown and Crown Jewels. The Crown Gallery is a high security zone with elaborate security checks. Photography and bags are prohibited. The Palace complex is huge with several buildings inside. There is a good Deer Park (10AM-4:30PM) which also has peacocks. A small fauna garden was set up in 2003. The palace has more than 100 different species of trees and plants of medical value. The palace has five large gardens and two large resting grounds of late Maharajas. Indians ₹20, foreigners ₹100 (including Deer Park and all attractions).
- 4 Museum of Kerala History (Kerala Museum), NH 47 (near Edappally Toll Gate). A good, well maintained museum with a 40 minute light and sound show (English and Malayalam) about Kerala history. Depicts the history of Kerala through life-like wax statues. Adjacent are the Museum of Dolls with nearly 1,000 dolls from various countries, and M.N.F Art and Sculpture Gallery that has many good collections of paintings and sculptures. This museum has a small, well maintained garden. ₹100 (₹30 for children).
- 5 Pareekshith Thampuran Durbar Hall Art Gallery, Dubar Hall Ground, DH Rd. Contains oil paintings, old coins, sculptures, Mughal paintings plus models of temples and traditional Kerala buildings. It was the official Durbar Hall of Kochi Maharajas, now converted into a large fine arts gallery. It is named after last Maharaja of Kochi, who was an oil painter. A small studio nearby promotes young artists. Free.
Places of worship
[edit]Churches
[edit]- 6 Malayattoor Mount (26 km away). A major Christian pilgrimage centre believed to be the place where St Thomas performed his first miracle in AD 52. Today, it is famous for its annual Holy week-Easter pilgrimage.
- 7 National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom (Malayalam: വല്ലാര്പാടം പള്ളി, Portuguese: Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Resgate), Vallarpadam. A minor basilica and a major Christian pilgrimage centre. The picture of the Virgin Mary and Infant Jesus, installed at the top of the main altar of the Vallarpadam Church, was brought by Portuguese merchants under the leadership of Vasco da Gama in 1524. In 1676 the old church, founded by the Portuguese missionaries, was destroyed by a heavy flood, and the picture was found floating in the backwaters. Nobody except Paliyath Raman Valiyachan, the prime minister of Maharaja of Cochin, could recover it. The present church at Vallarpadamis is built on land donated by him.
- 8 Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Manjummel, Eloor. A parish church coming under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Verapoly.
- 9 St. Antony's Shrine, Banerji Rd, Deshabhimani Junction, Kaloor (metro: JLN Stadium Metro ), ☏ +91 484 253 0591. At this shrine that belongs to Archdiocese of Verapoly people of different faith and culture flock together day and night seeking blessings.
- 10 St. George's Church, Edappally, NH 47. A popular church, also amongst non-Christians. Famous for its poison cure treatments.
- 11 St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica, High Court Junction, Marine Dr (behind Verapoly Archdiocese HQ), ☏ +91 484 235 1516. The cathedral is dedicated to "Our Lady of Ports". The cathedral was built in the early twentieth century under the direction of Mar Louis Pazheparambil. It is also a prominent Marian pilgrim centre in India.
Mosques
[edit]- 12 Kanjiramattom Mosque, Kanjiramattom Thalappara Rd, Millungal Junction, Kanjiramattom (30 km to the east), ☏ +91 484 274 5057. Major Muslim pilgrimage centre and venue of the Kudikkuthu Festival. Famous for the annual Urs festival. Imams of this mosque are famous for being leading scholars who were advisors to Kochi Rajas. This mosque is an example of antique beauty of mazhars and dargahs. This was recognised by Kochi Maharajas as official along with temples. The annual Chandanakudam in January attracts many pilgrims. During the festival, pilgrims carry pots smeared with sandalwood paste in a procession to the mosque, with caparisoned elephants and percussion musics – both found in temples – form essential parts of the Chandanakudam festival.
Temples
[edit]- 13 Chottanikkara Devi Temple, Thripunithura. One of the 108 large Devi (Goddess) temples of India. The temple is famous for treatments of various psychic disorders like split personality syndrome as well as for its annual Makam festival (mid Feb-mid March). It is believed to have 3 forms of the Goddess in 3 phases of day. Famous for its Navaratri festival.
- 14 Ernakulam Shiva Temple (at the centre of town, near the Durbar Hall Ground, Ernakulam), ☏ +91-0484-2370, ernakulamsivatemple@gmail.com. Has three temples within its complex.
- 15 Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha (in Perumanoor in Thevera, south end of MG Rd), ☏ +91 484 405 0813. It is the lone Sikh Gurudwara of Kerala, established by the Punjabi community of Kochi in 1955. Special rites and Guru ka Langar rituals are held every Saturday and Sunday.
- 16 Kalamassery Mahaganapathy Temple (കളമശ്ശേരി മഹാഗണപതി ക്ഷേത്രം). A temple dedicated to Ganapati and other deities, including Subramanian, the Navagrahas, Shiva, Parvati, Rama and so on. The temple has a simple construction with the original shrines of Ganapati and Subramanian (along with the Navagrahas) housed inside two concrete structures located side by side facing west. Between these two structures is located the stairs leading to the more recent elevated structure which houses the shrines of several other deities.
- 17 Poornathrayeesa Temple (in the heart of Thripunithura). Devoted to Lord Vishnu was once the royal temple of Kochi Maharajas. This temple is famous for its Panthizhuaari (Milk Dessert made of rice flakes) distributed during afternoons and grand temple festivals twice in a year.
- 18 Thrikkakara Temple, Thrikkakara. A major centre for celebration of the Onam festival and the only temple in India devoted to the Hindu deity Vamana. Get here during Onam and you can catch ten days of festivities, peppered with performances of Kerala's traditional arts including songs, dances, dramas, musical instruments, apart from fireworks and elephant parades, and ending with a Onam feast. The makaram Ayyapan festival, Saraswati puja and other Hindu festivals are also celebrated here. Open, free..
Do
[edit]Parks and nature
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- 1 Changampuzha Park, Edappally, ☏ +91 484 234 7591. A spacious place established in 1977, ideal for picnics and group discussions.
- 2 Managalavanam, Tatapuram-Pachalam Rd (Behind High Court Complex), ☏ +91 484 246 8680. A thick 80-acre mangrove forest in the heart of Kochi and declared a flora sanctuary. More than 30 unique flora are found here and it is also a major bird sanctuary, where migratory birds feed and rest when they escape the cold northern winters.
- 3 Marine Drive, Ernakulam Park Jetty. The Marine Drive is a two-km-long promenade and no car is allowed to ply there. The backwaters are on one side and a busy shopping district is on the other side of the walk. The walkway starts from the High Court jetty, goes through two scenic bridges and ends at Rajendra Maidan. The total distance is less than a kilometre. Stroll along this calm stretch without motorised traffic and enjoy an ice cream or fruit juice. A few malls stand along the way. Chill off the heat while you walk with a Sharjah shake or ice-cream, or one of the local delicacies. There is a children's park in the middle and two hanging bridges.
- 4 Subhash Bose Park, Park Ave. One of the largest parks in Kochi.
Performing arts
[edit]- 5 JT Pac Cultural Theater, Choice House, Choice lane, Kumbalam. is one of the most modern and upscale performing arts complexes, which has regular concerts, drama festivals, dance programs and other arts and cultural activities. A 1000-seater theater, it also has a good gallery and latest visual-audio systems. Booking may be necessary to secure seats and the theater has strict dress code regulations.
- 6 Kalikotta, Palace Rd, Thripunithura. is the official concert palace hall of the Kochi royal family who are patrons of more than a dozen cultural institutions and societies. Most performances are free. The mega Kathakali festival organised prior to Temple festival of Thripunithura Poornathresya Royal temple, is one of the largest Kathakali events here.
- 7 Kerala Fine-Arts complex, Foreshore Rd. This is one of the oldest centres, with regular cultural performances. Many require prior booking, as they are organised by prestigious societies and groups. There are some performances that have free entry, and the monthly cultural programs of Bank Employees Union is one such.
- 8 Kerala Folklore Theater, Near Thevara-Island bridge, Folklore Junction, Thevara. Good cultural theatre with regular evening performances, a state-of-the-art museum and cultural gallery.
- See India Foundation, ☏ +91 484 2376471. Kalathil Parambil Crossroad, nr Valanjambalam Temple, Chitoor Rd. An evening Kathakali theater, where daily performances take place from 6PM-8PM. This is the oldest and first evening Kathakali theater in India. The show is preceded by a detailed discourse of Kathakali history and philosophy, elaborate make-up performances and a demonstration of Kathakali techniques.
Stadiums
[edit]- 9 Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor (metro: JLN Stadium Metro ). Good open multipurpose stadium where locals play regularly, free of cost. Badminton and tennis courts next to this ground can be used on payment of fees at sports office of St. Albert's College which owns them.
- 10 Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kadavanthara. It has badminton, tennis, squash, volleyball and basketball courts. Rooms for chess, caroms, table-tennis and board games are also available. For an entrance fee payable at the indoor sports office, you can play here or join regular users. There is a state-of-art fitness complex and billiards-snooker pool inside this stadium. An Olympic-sized swimming pool is available outside. Large football and cricket pitches are available free-of-charge. Locals play regularly here and you can join them.
Theme parks
[edit]- 11 Wonderla, Kakkanad. 9:30AM-7PM. second largest theme park in South India. Spread over 50 acres of land with more than 50 Rides and various shows, it has well maintained gardens and five restaurants as well as small cafes
- 12 Silverstorm Water Park (Near Athirapally Waterfalls area, this park is 50 km from Kochi City, 18 km from the airport). A good family theme park with 29 water and dry rides, a very large park and a Chinese village
- 13 Dream World, Near Silver Storm (Near Silver Storm).
Buy
[edit]- 1 Broadway Market. One of the Kochi's oldest shopping corners where you can buy anything from safety pins to motor scooters (light motorcycles). A spice market operates inside, offering the best of Kerala's spices, saffron and various oils. There is also a cloth market, a jewellery market, a fancy items market, a vegetable/fruit market and an electronic/watch market.
- Cauvery, M G Rd (at Jos Junction), ☏ +91 484 2351968. A government emporium well known for quality handicrafts at reasonable price.
Apparel and fabric
[edit]- Kalanikethan, M G Road. A newly opened shop in Kochi, a place for women's wear.
- 2 Kalyan Silks, General Hospital Rd. One of the largest silk saree showrooms and a good place to get many kinds of Indian and western clothing, including popular western brands, at very reasonable rates. Silk Sarees are its trademark and most of them are well priced.
- 3 Kasavukada, South End of Foreshore Rd near Church Landing. A good place to buy a wide range of ethnic Kerala dress like Mundu, Kasavu Mundu Neyriyattu and ethnic men's Jubas
- 4 Seematti, North End, MG Road. One of the posher silk and dress fashion centres and a trend setter in creating unique designs and special materials for its Sarees. Its owner - Beena Kannan - is a leading fashion designer and new designs come every six months. Most of its sarees are out-of-traditional kind, making its unique. It is comparatively more costly than other brands. The men's area is not so elaborate and has only few collections.
- 5 Village Shop, Behind Sony Center, Ravipuram, MG Road, ☏ +91 484 3078472, +91 484 2361717, kochi@villageshop.in. Village Shop is a Home Furnishing store in Kochi. They sell hand-loomed soft furnishings.
- 6 Jayalakshmi Silk, Shenoys Junction, MG Rd. The oldest and most popular destination for bridal collections and popular throughout Kerala. It also houses a very large men's collection with many traditional and modern outfits. It is suitable for a wide range of budgets.
Bookshops and stationery
[edit]There are numerous bookstores in Convent Junction. In particular, Pressclub Rd is a hotspot for book lovers.
- 7 Blossom Book Fair, I S press road. Good place to get brand new and second hand books at discounted rates.
- Crossword, Lulu Mall. Stationery and bookstore, providing various fiction and non-fiction books and music CDs, branded pens like Cross, Sheaffer and Parker and other stationery.
- DeeCee, Island Castle Complex, Chittoor Rd (Opposite YMCA), ☏ +91 484 2362796. A very large multi-lingual bookstore, famous for wide range of English fiction books.
- 8 Kurien's Tower, Banerjee Rd (opposite Saritha Cinemas). Has many good book stores within it. Includes DC Books.
- Pai&Co, Broadway and MG Rd. The first bookstore of the city, its very popular for all kinds of reading materials.
- The Penguin Store, Centre Square. a desirable place to buy all sorts of books.
Jewellery
[edit]- 9 A Geeri Pai, Broadway, M G Road.
- Alapatt Gold, Jewel Junction, MG Road, ☏ +91 484 2381862. One of the oldest with an extensive gold collection, ranging from traditional to modern.
- Bhima Silver Palace, Jewel Junction, MG Rd. Large collection of silver ornaments, souvenirs and cutlery.
- H. Venkatesha Naik Jewellery, ☏ +91 484 4041890. Rajaji Road, Near Kavitha Junction. Offers modern designs and lightweight collections. It also has an extensive diamond gallery and trendy collection of watches.
- Josco Jewellers, M G Road, Lulu Mall. A Good 916 gold and diamond jewellery.
- 10 Kirtilals, ☏ +91 484 2372911. Opposite Maharaja's College Ground, MG Rd. A grand exclusive diamond gallery, featuring more than 2,000 diamond collections and platinum jewel designs.
- 11 Malabar Gold, ☏ +91 484 2352916. Jewel Junction, opposite Grand Hotel, MG Road. An extensive gold, platinum and diamond collection. It has one of the largest watch gallery selling latest international premium brands like Rado, Tissot and others.
Shopping malls
[edit]- 12 Lulu International Shopping Mall, Edappally. A big shopping mall. Opened in 10 March 2013, the mall consists of more than 360 outlets including food courts, restaurants, family entertainment zones and a nine-screen multiplex, ice skating rink and bowling alley. Buses frequently leave Kochi Bus Station for Lulu Mall for around ₹20 one way.
- 13 Oberon Mall, nr Padivattom Signal Junction, NH Bypass Road, ☏ +91 484 280 9666. was one of the earliest large scale multi-format shopping malls here. A typical mall with wide range of branded stores, large hypermarket, anchor store of Reliance Trends (multi-brand apparels), book/stationery store, spa, beauty saloon, large food court and four-screen cinemas.
- 14 Nucleus Mall, Maradu. is the latest entrant to the Kochi's Mall culture. A spacious sub-urban mall, ideal for shoppers to shop in hassle free area without worries of traffic and large crowds.
- 15 Centre Square, M.G road. was the latest mall opened in Kochi and has a food court and a 11 screen multiplex called Cinepolis.
- 16 Bay Pride Mall, Marine Drive. A small-sized family mall, one of the earliest in Kochi, in heart of city with a few brand stores, a small food court, a fitness centre, a gift shop and a music store. Also connects directly to Marine Drive.
Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | Under ₹750 |
| Mid-range | ₹750–3,000 |
| Splurge | Over ₹3,000 |
Budget
[edit]- YMCA Youth Centre, NH 47 Bypass (Opp.Medical Centre Hospital), ☏ +91 484-2342585, +91 484-2534909, ymcapvt@gmail.com. Check-in: 24 hrs. indoor sports, parking facility with a reasonable restaurant. A/c starts from ₹800 and non A/c starts from ₹375.
- Hotel Sreekrishna Inn, Near ESI Hospital, North Railway Station, ☏ +91 484 2393312, +91 9349267906. Mr. MG.Menon, manager: 9349267906
- C.R.H. Dormitory A/c, Banerji Road, Near North Railway Station, ☏ +91 484 2364295. ₹100.
- Grand Residency, St. Benedict Road, North Railway Station, ☏ +91 484 22396996.
- Hotel Classic, North side of the North Railway Station, Near ESI Hospital, ☏ +91 484 2394259. ₹500.
- Hotel Malabar Plaza, Opp. Town Hall, North Railway Station, ☏ +91 484 4055998. ₹350.
- Elite Tourist Home, Paramara Road, Near Speciality Hospital, North Railway Station Area., ☏ +91 484 2395070, +91 484 2395616, +91 484 2395692. ₹500.
- Thankam Tourist Home, St Benedict Road, Near the North Railway Station, ☏ +91 484 2390007, +91 9249416635, +91 9846021201, fax: +91 484 2390399. ₹500.
- K. K. International, Opp. South Railway Station, ☏ +91 484 2376010, +91 484 2376040, +91 484 2376264. good restaurant attached. ₹600.
- Hotel Excellency, Nettipadom Road, Ernakulam South (Near Avenue Regent), ☏ +91 484 2378251. Very near to South Railway station, this is a moderate business hotel. Very good interiors, a restaurant and nice staff. ₹750-1,500/ night.
- Hotel Kavitha International, Chitoor Rd (btw Mulasserry Canal and Iyyattil Jn), ☏ +91 484 2350618, +91 48 4236 2622. Check-in: noon. Clean hotel, very near MG Rd at the heart of city. 24 hr reception. ₹600-900.
- Railway Retirement Room (inside the south railway station). ₹180.
- 1 John’s Residency, TD road (between Cannonshed Rd. and Mullassery Canal Rd.). At the Ernakulam side, its a very laid back place, where the check in is sometimes done by phone at the reception with the number to call. The fact that is on the Ernakulam side make it cheaper. It's not far from the train station (Ernakulam Jn.), the metro Maharaja College it's even closer, and the ferry jeti (to reach Fort Kochi) it's also at 5 minutes walk. They have double rooms and apparently one single room (which is always taken) ₹700 for a double room (also for one pax).
Splurge
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- 2 Bolgatty Palace, Bolgatty Island South (take ferry from High Court Jetty or reach through Goshree Bridges), ☏ +91 484 2750500, +91 484 2750600, bolgattypalacekochi@ktdc.com. Check-in: noon. A premium heritage property of KTDC, where English Royals celebrated their life during British Raj days. The Palace complex was built in 1630s by Dutch owners and soon became the residence of the British Resident Commissioners for Cochin and Travancore. The resort is famous for its honeymoon cottages, large Dutch style gardens, horse tracks and golf course. A marina and accompanying marina suites are nearby near to the ex-Residence. ₹5,000-15,000 per night.
- 3 Crowne Plaza Kochi.
- 4 The Gateway Hotel Marine Drive Ernakulam. Near the harbour with good sea views. Popular amongst business visitors and upscale tourists. It has very large pools, cafe, gardens and own ferry services. This is a 4-star property of the Taj Group.
- Gokulam Park Inn International, Kaloor (opposite Techno-towers), ☏ +91 484 2400707. A 4-star property in the business corner of Kochi. Has a good convention centre and a host of facilities. ₹4,000-12,000.
- 5 Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty, Mulavukad, ☏ +91 484 266 1234.
- Harbour View, Atlantis Junction, MG Rd (opposite Shipyard), ☏ +91 484 2358444. Ideal business class hotel, with lot of premium features, in the main area of city. ₹4,000-12,000.
- 6 Holiday Inn, NH Bypass, Vennala 33/1739 A, Chakkaraparambu Junction, ☏ +91 484 4199000, fax: +91 484 4199111. 132 king bedrooms, 47 twin rooms; 18 deluxe rooms; 12 executive suites, 1 presidential suite and 2 specially able rooms. Tea/coffee makers, iron and iron board, separate work area; LCD, TVs, mini bar and safe. Restaurant, cafe, sports pub, pool bar, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, multilingual staff and business centre.
- 7 Le Méridien Kochi, Maradu Junction (near Maradu Bridge), ☏ +91 484 2705777. One of the most exclusive addresses in the city. It has a host of facilities, including a large convention centre. Near to riverside, it offers good boating facilities and has an indoor shopping complex selling luxury items. ₹6,000-20,000.