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 | Kochi Things To Do | Tips 61 - 70 of 119 |  |
Por supuesto, you come all this way to Cochin and dont go on a Backwaters tour? Suresh will arrange for a pick up at the hotel and then one hour later, at Vaikom you board boats, in our case a small boat with just one oarsman and one guide and just two chairs
Emerging from the canal into the river Ita, 35ft at times , the canopy of the greenery with gentle reminders of the people who live in this area.. living here rather than intruding like we do. A cornucopia of botany.. i could recognize, palm trees from Borneo, Cacao from mexico, wild flowers of New Guinea, some australian visitors like myself ( Banksia) and oodles of coconut trees... Leave a Comment Address: Start from Vaikom 20 km from CochinDirections: Get in touch with Suresh at Travel Land and he would organize everything. also you could stay over there and enjoy a kerala village during the evening, and sumptous malayalee food at his house... and perhaps even visit a temple or two or a wedding.
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We encountered this snake charmer near St Francis Church. As someone who used to have a phobia about snakes, I was surprised that I allowed myself to get so close.
It was quite an entertaining performance, as he played a wooden penny whistle, first to entice one cobra to dance, then releasing a second from its basket. so they were both moving in rhythm.
I don't know who the lady is in the second picture, but she was a lot braver than me!
If you see him, and you want to take a photo, probably best to offer a few rupees! Leave a Comment Directions: We saw this man near St Francis Church, I don't know if this is his regular spot.
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Situated in Jew Town, Mattancherry.
Open Sun - Fri 1000 - noon and 1500 - 1700.
This synagogue was originally constructed in 1568.
Following destruction by Portuguese cannon fire, it was rebuilt by the Dutch in 1662.
Remove your shoes on entering.
Probably of most interest is the flooring. Hand painted Chinese willow pattern, delft inspired tiles cover the surface. No two tiles are identical!
They were imported from Canton in the mid 18th century.
Overhead, 19th century Belgian chandeliers light the Synagogue.
In the Synagogue are also giant scrolls of The Old Testament, and some copper plated Hebrew scripts
Upstairs is the women's' gallery.
Guide books and postcards on sale, and the custodian is very knowledgeable.
The Synagogue does get quite busy, as it's on every tour groups itinerary - so probably best to visit early morning or out of season if you want a more peaceful visit.
Services are held very rarely, as there has to be a certain number of worshippers before this can occur. During our stay we learned that one of the few remaining Jewish inhabitants had died, leaving only 12 local inhabitants.
Probably if family and friends visit Cochin, there is occassion to hold a service Leave a Comment Address: Jew Town, Mattancherry, CochinDirections: Jew Town, near The Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace
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Mr Suresh is the genial owner operator of the TOURISTLAND agency which is located near the South Railway Station in Ernakulam.
He can arrange: Boat Cruises, Homestay with Kerala family , car rentals, visits to places of interest in Kerala. All done with genuine friendship and warmth.
The prices are very reasonable and he can be located on his mobile phone at 91 94472 91601. office is located at Room no 9, Cochin Corporation Bus stand building,south railway station road, Ernakulam, email is touristland@hotmail.com.
website is www.indiatouristland.com Leave a Comment Directions: Near the South Railway Station in Ernakulam.Tell him the doctor from Cuba sent you...
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On the island is also a Jewish community with roots going back to 1000 AD and a 16th century synagogue. It was built in 1568 by 'white' jews and destroyed during fightings between the Portugese and the Dutch, afterwards it was entirely rebuilt
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The synagogue is decorated with imported Chinese hand-painted tiles on the floor, the walls and the ceiling, not two tiles are alike.
There are a lot of legends based on those tiles, they should be able to tell the history, and are changing along with time.
The Jewish community flourished under the Rajahs of Cochin and, later, under Dutch rule, in a rare atmosphere of tolerance and respect. They maintained an active religious life, combining ancient traditions with distinctive local customs and liturgy. However, today this ancient community, which prior to 1951 boasted 8 congregations, is depleted. Most of the young have emigrated to Israel and only one synagogue still functions.
Openingtimes: sunday-friday, 10am-12am and 3pm-5pm. Leave a Comment
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when you got to kochi (cochin) or erunakulam as they say. donot forget to check out the famous french antique market and the spice market which is in the same location.
worth a look. it is said kerala has the maximum spice in india.
a must place to visit in cochin Address: ask anybody where the antique market isDirections: i had gone with a friend 2 yrs back, so cant really recollect the location. it is close to the place where you c the chinese fishing nets.
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Situated in the Mattancheri district you reach an area known as Jewtown. Toward the end of this colourful quarter stands the synagogue recognized by its square clock tower. A visit will allow you to admire the temple’s interior. Especially noteworthy are the hand-painted blue and white floor tiles brought from Canton, China. The Jewish community in Cochin only has 14 surviving members; a lot having left for Israel or converted to other religions and no rabbi is here anymore.
Make sure you leave a contribution to the Synagogue since this is the only way it will survive.
Interesting are the old buildings mostly occupied by numerous, interesting shops that are on the road to the Synagogue. Leave a Comment
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This is India’s oldest European-built church and today the Church of South India. A tombstone inside the church marks the place where Vasco da Gama was buried in 1524. His remains were later transferred to Lisbon. (Shoes have to be removed to enter the church.) Leave a Comment
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Of all the maritime nations that traded with ancient India, the Jews were the first to come to India not only as traders but as settlers. They made their home on the South-West coast as early as the first century, if not earlier.
The Jews then were the first aliens to settle in India, and it was as a result of generosity and tolerance to all religions, shown to them by successive Hindu rules in SW India.
Some sources say that the earliest Jews were those who settled in the Malabar coast during the times of Solomon, and after the Kingdom of Israel split into two. They are sometimes referred to as the "black jews".
The Paradesi Jews, also called "White Jews", settled later, coming to India from European and Middle Eastern nations such as Holland and Spain, and bringing with them the Ladino language. Spanish and Portuguese Jews (Sephardim) settled in Goa in the 15th century, but this settlement eventually disappeared. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Cochin had an influx of Jewish settlers from the Middle East, North Africa and Spain
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The Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in the British Commonwealth. Paradesi is a word used in several Indian languages, and its literal meaning is a "foreigner". Accordingly, the Paradesi Synagogue literally means a synagogue of foreigners.
As is normal for Orthodox Jewish synagogues, the Synagogue has separate seating sections for men and women.
It is the only functioning synagogue in Cochin today with a minyan. In conformity with the Hindu traditions of Kerala, the worshippers are required to enter the Synagogue barefoot.
It has the Scrolls of the Law, several gold crowns received as gifts, beautiful chandeliers, and a brass-railed pulpit. It houses the copper plates of privileges given to the earliest Malabar Jewish people over 2000 years ago, by the ruler of the Malabar Coast.
[took the picture from the net. Visited on Holiday - Sukkoth (joined the prayers). Photography in holidays is forbidden according to our religion's laws]
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- Taj Residency Ernakulam
Marine Drive, Kochi - Hotel Presidency
Paramara Road Eranakulam Town, Kochi - Hotel Abad Plaza
M.G. Road, Kochi - Taj Garden Retreat
1/404 Kumarakom, Kochi - Gokulam Park Inn
N H Road, Kaloor Opposite PVS Hospital, Kochi - Quality Inn Presidency
Ernakulam Town, Kochi - Abad Atrium
M.G. Road, Kochi - Taj Malabar
Malabar Rd Willingdon Island, Kochi - Trident Hilton
Bristow Rd Willingdon Island, Kochi - Abad Airport
Cochin International Air Port Nedumbassery, Kochi - Hotel Fort Queen
Manthra Road Fort Kochin, Kochi - Casino
Willingdon Island, Kochi - Gokulam Park Inn (Kaloor, Kochi.)
N H Road, Kaloor Opposite PVS Hospital, Kochi - Le Meridien Cochin Resort & Convention Centre
Maradu, Kochi - Abad Metro
Rajaji Road (off. M.G.Road) Ernakulam, Kochi
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