Inspiring and invoking: The magnetic Kochi

Pic: Aditi Sharma

Step into a beautiful and unimaginable land wrapped around the nature’s bounty. Take a trip to the magical and historic land of Kochi

Every traveler dreams to visit a surreal, enigmatic destination which is not only heavily laden with never-seen-before sights but also has a story that inspires. Kochi, the heart of a state, that God calls his own not only is a place that is any poet, dreamer or painters fantasy, it is also is a small town capsuled with timeless imprints of various cultures. If you are a traveler who lives to satiate his hunger for travels that are larger-than-life, fly, walk or just sail to the beautiful land of Kochi

Raise the green curtains

Kochi, being the financial capital of the state of Kerala has an entire web of well connected routes - land, air and sea. For people traveling from land-locked cities and countries to Kochi, the air connectivity is in order and extremely convenient. Many domestic flights fly in and out of this place, promising a comfortable journey. A bus service operates from Tamil Nadu to Kochi City. From regular buses to AC Volvos, the travel is convenient and fast. And, if you are a sucker for adventure and have been visiting port cities like Goa, Lakshadweep, etc., you can hop onto the frequent cruise ships to reach Kochi. Of course, if you have the luxury of a personal yatch, then you can get to the port in style.

Drown deep and deep down

As you walk on the long, stone roads of the city, you realise that this world so perfectly and wonderfully aligned with nature has just the perfect mix of calmness and the regular buzz of city life. Frequent drizzling keep the concrete and greens washed, alive and happy. Though traces of commercialisation can be seen scattered around the city, the natures overbearing beauty still makes the city seem like a town of yesteryears.

Pic: Aditi Sharma

Most sight-seeing spots of the city are concentrated in a place called ‘Fort .’ A huge dome-like overhead barrier and metal gates separate this place from the main city. As you walk or drive into the fort area, it almost feels like time has come to a standstill and many reverse oscillations take you back through various periods of colonial invasions. The entire area in fact, is dotted with houses, forts and even cafes built by the British, Dutch and Portuguese.

Not only is this place enveloped by trees of gigantic shapes and peculiar sizes, the greenland on one end and the huge expanse of the sea’s nothingness leaves the spectators completely tongue tied. Fort is definitely different and mesmerising than all other tourist spots in Kochi because of its one prime differentiating quality- it is a melting pot for various religions, set together in a circumference of a few kilometers.

St. Francis Church at Fort has a stark architectural reflection of the Portuguese rule. A massive structure and a popular worship place for many localites, this Church houses many unique and interesting artifacts. It is said that Vasco da Gama was buried at this church. A few kilometers ahead is a Jain Temple, visited by the many Hindus in the city. The temple is known for its astounding beauty and extensive architecture. To complete the religious vibrancy of the place, a Jewish Synagogue stands tall and firm at the end of the long road ahead. Silent and magnetic, this synagogue is one of the few left in the country. This worship place is considered the property of the few Jewish families living around Fort. The area also has a one-of-a-kind museum for coastal police, a Dutch cemetery and a small café in the memory of Bob Marley! As you walk along the periphery of the Fort, you are welcomed by the sight of the beautiful sea. Gigantic ships carrying goods can be seen lazily sitting on the erratic waves. While sitting on the beach at Fort, one can see the hustle-bustle of many fishermen, going about their business, throwing ‘Chinese fishing nets’ into the water, collecting the flapping fish in their deep drums. Kochi is also very famous for exotic spices. Many small shops along the coast line can be seen selling spices, herbs, of every kind.

Pic: Aditi Sharma

Once the sight-seeing of the old tombs and forts is complete, gear yourself for another adventure circling this magical city. Every itinerary list which spells Kerala has to have the ‘backwaters’, which should compulsorily be ticked once the journey concludes. Don’t forget to take a ride on the melancholic waters, separating Ernakulam from Fort  and Mattanchery. You can also extend your journey to visit the glorious Munnar, a tea gardens hill station, 140 kms from the city. If you are a nature-lover, you should definitely visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, around 190 kms from Kochi.   

So get ready, pack your bags, and look up ahead. A fulfilling vacation, a journey called Kochi is waiting along the cost of the Arabian Sea.

Pic: Aditi Sharma