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THRISSUR SIGHT SEEING----
Sightseeing: Thrissur offers a wide choice of natural, cultural and religious places to explore. Among the natural locations stands the 80 ft high Athirapilly Waterfalls, 63 kms from Thrissur in the Sholayar ranges. Just 3 kms further, near the dense forests along the Chalakudy river is the Vazhachal Falls. You could also visit the largest elephant park in the world at Punnathurkotta Elephant Sanctuary with its elephant race and feast for elephants. For history buffs there is the Kerala-Dutch style Sakthan Thampuran or the Vadakkekara Palace and the Kudakkallu, the over four thousand year-old umbrella rocks of Chiramanangad. It is said that when aristocrats died they were cremated and their ashes placed in earthen urns with umbrella rocks placed over them as landmarks. The Archeological Museum and the Art Museum are a repository of ancient wood carvings, metal sculptures and jewellery. Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy, founded by the Poet Vallathol Narayana Menon to encourage the study of the ancient arts of Kathakali and Mohiniattom is worth a visit. The Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple at Chavkkad, 29 kms West of Thrissur, the Mummiyur temple a kilometre away, dedicated to Lord Shiva and renowned for its wall paintings and exquisite sculpture, and the Vadakkumnathan temple, built in classical Kerala style of architecture are temples worth visiting.
I visited Athrampally waterfalls which is about 60 KM from Trichur. It is very beauitiful falls worth seeing.
Festivals: The Thrissur Pooram in the Vadakkumnathan temple is an annual affair held in the months of April-May. Other festivals are Kodungallur Bharanti, Bharani utsavam, Kodungallur Thalapoli, Koodalmanickam utsavam Arattupuzha Pooram; Palayur palli perumnal or the feast of the Palayur church; and the Id ul-fitr (Ramzan) and Id ul-Aza (Bakrid) celebrations at the A.D. 629 erected Cheraman Juma Masjid. Activities: For those looking for some activities, it’s a great place for picnics and to feast your eyes on some colourful festivities. The amusement park at Vilangankunnu hillock or picnics at Peechi Dam (20 kms from Thrissur town), or at the Chavakkadu Beach is a great option. The Zoo at Thrissur is a good place for children. Tourism Info: Department of Tourism, Park View, Thiruvananthapuram, Phone: 91-471-2321132 Tourist Information toll free No:1-800-425-4747 Government India of Kerala 033
Kerala,
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Cochin Get around
By bus
Cochin has an excellent and cheap local bus service system, operated by private bus operators. The numbering system is rarely used although it appears to exist. The buses are red in color, and though they may vary in appearance, they still can be distinguished as city bus services. Destination boards display signs prominently in Malayalam and in small letters the English version. Using the local bus service is not that difficult as most bus conductors would be able to provide assistance with basic knowledge of English or Hindi or even Tamil. Remember however that peak hours on weekdays can lead to overcrowded buses. That is not the best time to use these buses, like in any busy city. Travellers must remember that a certain number of seats are allocated for ladies in the forward portion of each bus. Unless these seats are empty, gentlemen are not expected to occupy them, and they must be vacated when a lady wishes to sit there. The standard precautions of being wary of pickpockets and other anti-social elements must be maintained. Several important points serviced by Cochin's city bus service include Fort Kochi, Thoppumpady, Edakochi, Mattancherry, Island (Willingdon Island), Thevara, Kaloor, Palarivattom, Kakkanad, Kalamassery, Edapalli,North Paravur, Alwaye, Tripunithura, and Vytilla Jn. Many key routes that pass through the city (from Alwaye/Kakkanad etc to Fort Kochi/Thevara Jn etc) will have the following route/stops 1. Kaloor (interchange for Long Distance Private Bus Services for Kottayam, Palai, Changanacheri, Mundakayam, Erumeli, Pathanamthitha etc.& night services towads Calicut, Kannur, Wayanad) 2. Lissie Jn (Some Private Long Distance Luxury Bus Operators) 3. Town Hall (Closest point to Ernakulam Town (North) Station) 4. Kacheripady Jn (KSRTC State Transport Bus Stand - 1 km away & MG Road Start) 5. High Court (KSINC Boat Jetty for Ferry to Vypeen, Mulavukad, Panambukadu, Ochanthurth, Murikkumpadam & Bolgatty, Long Distance Private Bus Services to Guruvayoor,Thrissur, Calicut,Irinjalakuda,Kodungaloor,North Paravur )Private ordinary Bus Services to Vypeen,Cherai Beach,Munabam,North Paravur,Kodungaloor via Goshree Bridges 1. Marine Drive (GCDA Complex) 2. Main Boat Jetty (Boat Jetty for Ferry to Vypeen, Fort Kochi, Mattencherry, Willingdon Island, Vallarpadam, Varapuzha, Perubalam, Karthedom, Mulavukad) Also KSRTC's ordinary limited stop buses to North Paravur, Kodungaloor,Guruvayoor,Thrissur, Calicut starts from here. 3. Shenoys/YMCA (Some services only & services towards Kaloor) - (Closest point to KSRTC State Transport Stand - 0.5 km) 4. Jos Junction - Virtual Centre of Ernakulam (Alighting Point for Ernakulam Jn (South) - 0.5 km, Private Bus Operators to Thekaddy/Kumili, Munnar, Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam, Idukki and Private Long Distance Luxury Bus Operators - To Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Mangalore Coimbatore etc.) 5. Ravipuram - Main Business & Commercial Area. Buses for Thevara, Edakochi, Fort Kochi, Mattancherri, Thoppumpady & W. Island Pass through here. 6. Thevara Jn 7. Island (Old Airport) 8. Thoppumpady
9. Mattancheri 10. Fort Kochi Buses from/to Tripunithura/Vytilla Jn will deviate after Jos Junction to pass through: 1. Kadavanthara 2. Vytilla Jn. 3. Tripunithura Buses from/to Alwaye follow the following broad route Kaloor Jn., Edapally, Kalamassery, Alwaye Buses from/to North Paravur follow the following broad route Kaloor Jn., Edapally,Varapuzha,North Paravur Buses from/to Kakkanad follow the following broad route Kaloor Jn., Palarivattom Jn., Palarivattom Bye Pass, Chembukmukku, Padamugal, Kakkanad Some services may operate directly between Alwaye, Edapally, Kakkanad and Vytilla Jn using the Byepass Road via Palarivattom Bye Pass.
See
Hill Palace Museum - The erstwhile Cochin Raja's palace, now converted to a museum along with a small zoo, is 12 Km south-east of Ernakulam at Tripunithura. Has paintings and epigraphy from the collections of the Travancore & Cochin royal families. Museum of Kerala History - at Edappally, 10km. north of the city Pareekshith Thampuran Museum contains oil paintings, old coins, sculptures and Mughal paintings, and models of interesting temples and traditional Kerala buildings.
Chinese fishing nets at Fort Cochin
Fort Kochi Mattancherry There is a beautiful Jain temple here. It is great to visit at about 12:15hrs when the pigeons are feed by Jain mandir people, which they have been doing for the past 17 years. A huge number of pigeons first take three circles of the temple and listen to mantra before eating. Willingdon Island - An large artificial island made out of sand dredged from the backwaters to deepen the Kochi Port. Vypeen and Gundu Islands - The Island boasts a lighthouse at Ochenthuruthu, beaches and the early 16th century
Bolgatty - built in 1744 as Dutch Palace; one of the KTDC Hotels with green lawns and Golf Course. Chinese fishing Nets - at Fort Kochi. Dutch Palace - constructed by the Portuguese in 1568 for Maharaja of Kochi Veera Kerala Varma. Later rebuilt by the Dutch. St. Francis Church, Fort Kochi - constructed by the Portuguese[1503]. Vasco da Gama was buried here [1524] and later his remains were transferred to Lisbon, Portugal. His tombstone can be seen inside the church.
St. Francis Church, Cochin
Jew Street and Synagogue - at Mattancherry, the synagogue was constructed in 1568 and rebuilt in 1662. Santacruz Cathedral- at Fort Kochi Art Complex - Madhavan Nayar Foundation - Gallery of Paintings and Sculptures at Edappally, 10 km. north of city. (There is the Kerala History Museum, history students take note!) Thirumala Devaswom Temple - at Mattancherry. A temple built by the Gowda Sarawatha Brahmins, Lord Venkateswara the main deity, famous for second-largest brass bell in Asia. The North Gopuram is fully roofed with copper. Ernakulam Siva Temple - situated at the centre of the town, near the Durbar Hall Ground. Durbar Hall Ground - venue of many fairs during festivals Kalady - Birth place of Sri Shankaracharya (Adi Shankara) [786-820], the great Indian philosopher and founder of the Advaita philosophy. Shrines of Shankaracharya here are open to all pilgrims, irrespective of religion or caste. 48km north of the city. Kanjiramattam Mosque - Muslim pilgrim center, venue of Kudikkuthu Festival, 30km east of the city Chendamangalam - Historically the seat of Paliath Achan, the Prime Minister of Kochi Kingdom, old Oriental Jewish synagogue and colony. Now a centre for handloom weaving and coir manufacturing, view of annual fair "Mattachanda" (Barter Systems). It is 42km north-west of city near North Paravur . Pallipuram Fort - built by the Portuguese in 1503, one of the oldest existing European monuments in India. Situated in Vypeen island at Pallipuram. Aluva - called "Alwaye" till a few years ago, town on the way from the international airport to Kochi, has some places of interest - Sree Narayana Guru's Advaita Ashram and the erstwhile Travancore king's palace. Aluva Manalpuram - is famous for the Shivarathri festival on the sandy banks of the Periyar river. Malayattoor Mount - A Christian pilgrimage centre, supposed to be a place visited by St. Thomas. (St. Thomas visited Kerala in AD 52. Don't forget Christianity reached India much before it reached Europe!) Cherai Beach - near North Paravur is a new-generation tourist hot-spot with golden beaches (with big sand grains, like those of river sand used in construction, probably deposited by the Periyar river at some point in time), coconut palm corridors, backwaters, and historical monuments. You can reach Cherai Beach by bus, auto rickshaw, etc., from Ernakulam town though bus is a lot cheaper. Frequent buses are available from High Court that go through Goshree bridges and Vypeen Island.
Do
Elephant Training Centre, (in Kodanad). A rewarding experience. edit
Buy
Jewtown has numerous antique and craft stores. Bargains are available but be warned that many 'antiques' were probably made in the owners backyard! Shop with care and bargain hard.
Isidore Art Palace, Jewtown, Cochin 662002 (Next to the Synagogue), (isidore@vsnl.com). Will reliably ship stuff outside India. Bargain hard! edit
Depending on what you are looking for, many clothing and jewelery shops along MG road and Marine Drive are available. Prices are reasonable for western budgets. Shopping Malls are a new concept for Cochin and the new Bay Pride Mall offers air conditioned comfort with a small food court and a nice coffee shop.One of the latest additions to the city's lifestyle shopping needs is "My Kingdom" on MG Road, a one of its kind store spread across 4 levels catering to different generations of the family.
Hamlet, Kurien Towers, Banerjee Road DC, Kurien Towers, Banerjee Road DeeCee, Island Castle, Chitoor Road Shankar, M.G rd,Padma Road Alphabet, Kadavanthara Road Bay Pride Mall, Marine Drive GCDA Shopping complex, Marine Drive Mall-O, Edapally
Eat
[Fort Kochi
Plenty of great, fresh seafood is available all over Fort Kochi. Visit Fort Kochi beach where you can buy fresh fish near the Chinese fishing nets and get it cooked in the nearby food stalls for a small fee. Fish mongers will sell you a kilo of tiger prawns for around $6USD and a kilo of squid for around $5USD. For a fillet of fish you may have to do a little bargaining. Try and find out what the locals are paying and work for that. The food stalls will charge you between 40 and 50 Rupee per person to cook your fish (grilled, curry, whatever...) and provide you with a serve of chips and salad! It is done reasonably hygienic so you shouldn't worry to much about the salad. Fish fry, fish molly, fish curry and fish peera are the favorites, usually taken with rice or steamed tapioca (cassava). Also worth trying are the traditional rice based breakfast snacks - puttu and kadala, appam and stew. Try the "thattukadas" where you get hot, fresh-cooked, foods, where they don't have refrigerators to preserve the balance food.
[edit] Cochin/Ernakulam
Dawat - E - Khas - Jos Junction, MG Road. Pizza Hut Chic King - M.G Road - It looks, smells and tastes pretty much like KFC Hot Plate - Avenue Center, Panampilly Nagar K.R BAKES - Cheap hygienic food. Both the bakery and restaurant offer pretty good food BIMBIS - A self-service joint offering north indian, south Indian veg food & variety of sweets WYTE FORT - Bypass road Brindavan - Palarivattom ,reasonably priced good vegetarian food Varkeys - Supermarket & Bakery KFC - Mall'O', Edappally
Sleep
Ambady's Pamlgrove Club, Chilavanoor Road Kochi 682020 Kerala (Cochin), ☎ +910484-2311186, [4]. Waterfront Apartment Cochin. Looking for a serene place far away from the mad rush of the city? Somewhere you can forget the nitty-gritty'™s of the daily grind after a busy day of work and just UNWIND? Where you are one with nature, yet fully fitted with modern amenities and comforts?Ambady'™s Palmgrove Club is the place for you. edit
[edit] Fort Kochi
It is quieter and more scenic than the rest of the city. There are quite a lot of tourists so prices are relatively high, but that’s still very cheap by western standards. Some of the heritage hotels are located here. Home stays are common.
Fort House[5] Brunton Boatyard Malabar House Hotel Ballard bungalow Hotel Fort Queen Koder House Old Harbour Dream Catcher Home Stay, Vasavan Lane Road near Thamaraparambu School. Res: 0484 2217550. Mob: 9746017881. Email: dreamcatcheronita@vsnl.net- Friendly and helpful family, great home-cooked food, clean rooms. RS.600-1200. Will pick up from Bus/Railway station free of charge (Airport additional charge). Green House Home Stay, H.N 1/1040, Kunnumpuram Road. Mob: 0091-9895262296. Email: greenhousehomestay@yahoo.com / kumarkochin@yahoo.com.in. Very nice and friendly home stay in a good location close to Princess Street (where Kumar has a shop, so try to track him down there if you can't reach him otherwise), which also offers a TV and a fridge in the common room/living room. In high season doubles are around Rs500 (or more if you want A/C), whereas we paid Rs250 during the low season (May 2008). The Bungalow Heritage Homestay,Fort Vypeen Cell:9846302347. Email:info@thebungalowkerala.com
Heritage homestay at the Vypeen side of the harbour mouth of Port of Cochin with Fort Kochi on the other side. This is a place where you will surely feel at home.
[edit] Willingdon Island
Taj Malabar, [6] on the tip of Willingdon Island, without exception, is the best located property in Cochin. Perhaps the best as well. In its heritage wing, built in 1935, graceful Victorian interiors aptly reflect the inherent beauty of Cochin. Its tower wing houses newly renovated guestroom suites, each a delicate mix of the classic with the contemporary.
Attractive Holiday packages are available with worthfull rates.
Trident Hilton Casino Hotel
[edit] Ernakulam City
Saphire Tourist Home opposite Maple Regency. Cherai Beach Resort[7] the resort for Honeymoon Couples, Families and Corporates. Abad Plaza Abad Fort Gokulam Park Inn, A very nice hotel with good food, clean rooms and excellent service. Abad Metro Hotel Mermaid White House Abad Airport Abad Atrium Best Western Avenue The Grand Hotel, Don't miss the Ammachi Kozhi curry. Hotel Ceylon Bakehouse Casino Le Meridien Presidency, Five star hotel with a quiet location yet not far from the city centre. Renaissance Vedic village resorts[9]
[edit] Ernakulam Budget hotels
Madaparambil Tourist Home, Chittoor Road, near S.R.V. L.P.School, Ernakulum, Cochin. 682 011 Ph: 0484-2367533. Woodlands Hotel Pr Murali +(91)-(484)-2382052, 2382056, 2382057, 2368900 woodland1@vsnl.com Woodland Jn, Mg Road, Ernakulam – 682011 Dwaraka Hotel - +(91)-(484)-2383236 No.471-A, Mg Rd, Kochi, Ernakulam – 682016 Aiswarya Hotel - Mohanan +(91)-(484)-2364454, 2371640 Warriam Rd, Kochi, Ernakulam – 682016 - *Facilities*,No Of Rooms : 79,Double Rooms : 79,Deluxe Rooms : 32,Suites : 01,No Of Restaurants : 01,Room Facilities : 24 Hrs Rooms Service,Access : 35 Km From Airport,1/2 Km
From Rly Sta,Location Advantage : Warriam Rd,Nr To Historical Places,Other Facilities : Banquet Hall,Coffee Shop,Check Out Time : 24 Hrs,Credit Cards : All Major Credit Cards Accepted,Room Tariff,Category Single Double,Ac Rooms : Rs.975/-,Non Ac Rooms : Rs.750/-,Suites : Rs.1600/,Tax 15% Cochin Tower Hotel - Girish Kumar +(91)-(484)-2401910, 2340920 +(91)-9995121809
Dream Holidays
3rd Floor, Choolackal Building, Convent Junction, Cochin, Kerala, INDIA - 682 011 Phone : +91 484 380 225, 383 733
ADI Service Appartments and Home stay - Write a review TD Road,, Behind Kavitha Theater, Cochin, Kerala 682031, India - 099 02542657 Sisy's Homestay - Write a review 37/1911, Mullasseri, Emmanuel Road, near Hot'N'Spicy restaurant,, Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road, near Kathrikadavu bridge., Kadavanthra, Kerala 682017, India - 0484 2204443 Category: Home Stay
EVJ Home Stay 9/178,Veli Fort, Fort, Cochin, 682001, India
The Cochin Residency Near ICICI atm, Kunnumpuram,, Fort Cochin, Ernakulam, Kerala 682001, India - 09895208883 Category: Home stay