Places we will visit…2) Kochi ,Kerala
PHOTOS Kochi by the sea, Guruvayoor elephants, Jewish Synagogue, St Francis Church (Fort Kochi) , Santa Cruz Basilica (Fort Kochi)
St. Thomas Church, Malayattoor The famous St. Thomas church is situated at Malayattoor near Kalady. Malayattoor means the meeting place of land, mountain and river. Set in the scenic western ghats at an elevation of 1250m above sea level, the journey to the church is truly heavenly. It is believed that the footprints seen on a rock near the church belongs to St. Thomas the Apostle, who came here in 52 AD as a missionary setting up many churches in Kerala. The present day church was built in 900 AD.
Guruvayoor The elephant sanctuary, the only one of its kind in the world, 3kms north of Guruvayoor is home to around 50 elephants. The sanctuary is at Punnathur Kotta, which used to be the palace of the Punnathur rajas (kings).
Jewish Synagogue, Jew Town, Mattancherry The synagogue, built in 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. It is located near the Dutch Palace.
St. Francis Church, Fort Kochi It is the oldest church built by Europeans in India. On his 3rd visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese trader who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. He was buried in the St. Francis Church. Later his remains were taken back to Portugal. In spite of that, his burial spot inside the church has been clearly marked out.
Santa Cruz Basilica, Fort Kochi The original church, situated in Fort Kochi, was built by the Portuguese in 1505 and named as a cathedral in 1558. The British colonists destroyed the cathedral in 1795. The current structure was built in 1905 and raised to the status of a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984.
Santa Cruz Basilica, Fort Kochi The original church, situated in Fort Kochi, was built by the Portuguese in 1505 and named as a cathedral in 1558. The British colonists destroyed the cathedral in 1795. The current structure was built in 1905 and raised to the status of a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984.
ShoppingThere are many things that one can buy from Cochin, the list would probably be topped by handicraft, spices and nuts. Handicrafs include a wide range of products made from coir, wood, shells, brass, ivory and sandalwood located on MG Road. The entire stretch of MG Road is lined with shops selling a variety of things from clothes, handicrafts and jewellery.
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