Image used for representation purposes. Credits to mishab myladan from unsplash.com
Kochi is the epitome of how great a melting pot of diverse cultures looks. Being a port city famous for its spices, Kochi has been a favourite destination for sailors and traders from around the world (such as Dutch and Portuguese) as well as for people seeking refuge (like Jews from Spain and Portugal).
This migration over the centuries provided Kochi with the great cultural heritage it is known for today, wherein different cultures and nationalities merge into one without losing their essence.
Set on the coast of the Arabian Sea with palm-lined backwaters, the vibrant city has something for every kind of tourist. One can spend time strolling the coast to watch fishermen in action, visit one of the many architectural wonders from hundreds of years ago, or sit in an arty cafe rejoicing in a simple meal of ginger tea and some prawns.
Places to visit in Kochi
Mattancherry Palace
A blend of local and colonial architecture, the majestic fort was built in 1545 by the Portuguese as a gift to impress the king of the Kochi dynasty. In addition to the grand halls and courtyard, what makes the palace truly majestic is its beautiful wall murals depicting scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Paradesi Synagogue
Said to be the oldest synagogue in India – the serene, white-walled structure was constructed in 1568 by the Jewish community of Kochi. The place has a prized possession of artefacts spreading many geographies, such as a rug gifted by the Ethiopian emperor, gold and silver Torah scrolls, Belgian crystal chandeliers, and 1600-year-old copper plates, to name a few.
Clock Tower
Right next to the Paradesi Synagogue is a 45-ft high tower built by Ezekiel Rahabi in the mid-18th century. An ode to the city's cultural diversity, the mediaeval-styled tower has four faces marked with numerals in three languages (Hebrew, Malayalam, and Roman) on each of the three faces, with one face being blank.
Greenix Village
Here, the state’s official dance is performed by trained artists in traditional costumes who depict various scenes of Ramayana and Mahabharata through their perfectly coordinated mudras (hand gestures) and facial expressions.
SNC Maritime Museum
One of its kind, the museum represents the history of the navy in India – both in modern India as well as during the time of Indian Valley civilisation. The galleries are set up in old bunkers depicting the Indian Navy's contribution to various wars, elaborate literature on ship-building processes, detailed maps of ancient sea routes and more.
In addition to the places mentioned above, there is much more to experience in the city. Sit on one of the coasts and watch fishermen in action while they pull out their huge Chinese nets, indulge in a delicious serving of ginger tea and fresh fish dish at one of the shacks, buy some fragrant spices for home, or visit Pepper Exchange in Jew Town to witness a barter (commodity exchange).
As we said, the city does have something for everyone.
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