Kochi Things to Do

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St Francis Church
At Fort Cochin, is the oldest Church in the subcontinent, established by the Portuguese Franciscan friars in 1503. It became a Protestant Church with the arrival of the Dutch & an Anglican Church after the British occupation. Vasco da Gama was buried in this churchyard.

Fort Kochi beach
A stroll along the beach, particularly at sunset with the chinese fishing nets and sailing ships in the background, is a memorable experience. Many European style bungalows can be seen along the shoreline. The coastal stretch has loads of small stalls, which make on demand mouth-watering traditional cuisines using freshly caught fish.

Museum of Kerala History, Kalamassery
The museum has on display spectacular audio-visual exhibits depicting the history and culture of Kerala along with many life size statues of many famous personalities and several paintings depicting Kerala history.

Find out about festivals in the area while you are there. A list of festivals can also be found on the Kerela Tourism website (site listed below). Although one can usually not visit the inside of hindu temples, you are welcomed at the festivals. It is very vibrant and colourful. We visited a festival in Kottayam, on the way back to Kochi, we ran into another two festivals! These were not advertised anywhere, so do ask the hotel reception or other locals about festivals. It is a fantastic experience.
See Travelogue for PICTURES FROM A HINDU FESTIVAL

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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!

This is reputed to be the oldest European Church in India, built by Portuguese Franciscan Friars in 1503.

The original church was made of wood, being rebuilt in stone mid 16th century.

The Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, arrived in Kerala in 1498, and settled in Cochin in 1502, hoping to establish Spice trading and convert the citizens to Catholicism. He set up a factory here, and returned as Portuguese Viceroy in 1510, Following his death in 1524, he was buried in this church, although his tombstone can be seen at the east end of the church, his remains were transported to Lisbon. Other colonials are buried here.

Dutch protestants, and Anglicans later ran the church, now it is in the hands of The Church of South India.

It is only open for well attended services on Sundays. English at 8am and Malayalam at 9.30am.

It's not possible to look around the church during services, but you may stand in the entrance and enjoy the solemnity of the service.

An unusual feature is the punga or punkah system of manual air conditioning. large fans suspended from the ceiling are manually operated by men pulling ropes (punkhawallahs)

We were only able to view the church from the entrance, as a service was in progress, but we could clearly see the punga fans, and it was very moving to hear the hymns sung by the mainly female congregation.

See intro for more info.
Afraid my photo didn't turn out

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It is Kerala's very own, much celebrated dance drama. Kathakali evolved in the 8th century from 'Ramanattam' a dance drama created by Kottarakkara Thampuran, a great admirer and promoter of traditional art forms. Kathakali draws its theme from the wealth of Indian mythology and folklore. The performer is assisted by vocal and percussion accompaniments while the dancer through 'hasta mudras' or hand gestures expounds the theme. Expressions of face and eyes hold the key to perfection. Unique among the Indian dance forms, Kathakali ranks high among the Indian dance forms. Noted for its archaic costumes, weird make up, the elaborately painted faces often mistaken for masks and grand headgears, Kathakali is perhaps the only dance form in India in which the masculine aspect of the dance is preserved in its elemental vigor.

Some of the noted Kathakali centres in Kochi are India Foundation located at Kalathiparambil Road, near the Ernakulam Junction Railway station where the daily show begins at 6.45 p.m., the Cochin Cultural Centre situated at Manikath Road, behind Medical Trust Hospital where the daily show begins at 7 pm, Art Kerala situated at Kannanthodathu lane, Valanjambalam and one may also catch the exotic shows of the dance at Kerala Kathakali Centre functions at Fort Cochin near the Chinese Fishing Nets.

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This imposing structure was built in 1568, when the Jews settled in Mattancherry, after their expulsion from Rahabi, who built a clock tower and paved the floor synagogue with hand painted willow pattern tiles brought from China. Its most important relics are the impressive copper plates recording king Bhaskara Ravi Varma's 4th century decree that guaranteed the Jewish settlers domain over Cranganore (Kodungalore). The Synagogue itself is elaborately decorated with crystal chandeliers and carved wood with blue and white ceramic tiles.
Opens from 10 am to 12 noon; 3 pm to 5pm,
Closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays

Chinese Fishing Nets" a hallmark of Cochin, speaks of the first traders, who visited this coast during 1350 - 1450 AD. These nets are built using teak wood and bamboo poles. They can be best viewed at " vasco-Da-gama Square" Fort Cochin, located fourteen kilometers from the City.The Chinese fishing nets (Cheena vala) of Fort Kochi (Fort Cochin) in the City of Kochi (Cochin), in the Indian State of Kerala, are fixed land installations for an unusual form of fishing — shore operated lift nets.[1] Huge mechanical contrivances hold out horizontal nets of 20 m or more across. Each structure is at least 10 m high and comprises a cantilever with an outstretched net suspended over the sea and large stones suspended from ropes as counterweights at the other end. Each installation is operated by a team of up to six fishermen.
The Chinese fishing nets have become a very popular tourist attraction, their size and elegant construction is very photogenic and the slow rhythm of their operation is quite hypnotic. In addition, catches can be purchased individually and need be taken only a short distance to an street entrepreneur who will cook it.

Constructed by the Portuguese in 1555. This palace is set in walled gardens, containing mango trees.

The Portuguese presented the palace to the Cochin Raja, Veera Kerala Varma, as a goodwill gesture (or to assist in their bid for trading supremacy)

Dutch occupation around 1663, resulted in huge renovation work, and thereafter it became known as the Dutch Palace.

Open Sat - Thursday, 1000 - 1700.
Free entrance, but donations may be requested.
Photography is not permitted.
Guide book on sale.

A Hindu Temple is situated in the quadrangular courtyard.

The central hall, originally the coronation hall, has exhibits of costumes and headgear of the Rajas. The ceilings are made of carved Teak.

Hindu Wallpaintings, depicting the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana adorn the walls.
These murals are considered to be one of the wonders of India.

Downstairs in the ladies bedchamber are examples of erotic indian art, some have been considered controversial, especially one depicting Vishnu and Shiva!