This thread is going to discuss tourist attractions and nearby weekend getways in Kochi. Post your pictures, videos, discuss weekend reviews here

Paniyeli Poru

Paniyeli Poru is a idyllic tourist spot, remaining totally unexplored within Malayatoor Forest range, just 14 kms from Cochin International airport. Though it lies near to famous Kodanad Elephant College, the place is pristine and virgin.

The beautiful Periyar's tributary Paniyeli flows through here in a pure form without any kind of pollution. The water here is so crystal, that one can see the riverbed clearly.

Surrounded by forests, it has good picnic spots, to spend daytime and enjoy in synthesis with nature.

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Veegaland/Wonder La (http://www.veegaland.com/index.php)

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All images linked from their official site!

^^

:applause:

Wow, Is this your clicks Dileep Bhai? They have some character :)

Paniyeli Poru

Terrific place! I dont know how many of you have been to this place! its totally electric cum dangerous! You should also know that more than 40 fatal cases have registered here!

Its a mini -Hogenakkal! DTPC must upgrade and market these places.

All photos linked from their website only.

Terrific place! I dont know how many of you have been to this place! its totally electric cum dangerous! You should also know that more than 40 fatal cases have registered here!

Its a mini -Hogenakkal! DTPC must upgrade and market these places.

I have been to this place a couple of times. Its very dangerous during rainy season as flow of water is extremely high and there are lot of chuzhis within riverbed, trapping people to death.

But during summer season, its a prefect vacation. The flow of water is extremely low and the clarity of water is so high that we can see riverbed so clearly and walk across the river carefully.

Yes, its almost a mini-Hogenakkal... But the area is totally unexplored and rarely I see some tourists. Perhaps the government might be keeping these places in secrecy to market later.....

Matsyafed Milkyway Aquafarm- Vyppen

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Review of Kochigallan about Matysafed Milkyway Aqua Farm

If you are looking for a ‘not-so-crowded’ place to spend your weekend or for a full day picnic spot not at all far away from the city, then Matsayfed’s Milkyway aqua tourism project at Malippuram Village, Vypeen, is surely the one you are looking for. The ‘Milkyway’ is a unique concept from the MatsayFed (Kerala State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development Ltd). Its a shrimp farm converted to aqua-tourist village, attached next to a beautiful private beach, where public can visit for a day and enjoy a lot of variety activities (listed beneath ). And this is just a small effort by this Gallan to help you enjoy it better

Whats so special about this place ?
- Fresh environment, very much pollution free.
- A closer experience wit the Mangrove trees/Mangrove Forest
- Brackish Water Fish Farm / Shrimp Farm (Brackish means ‘somewhat salty’, like how a mix of seawater and fresh water would taste. Now you know what the kind of ‘brackish’ fishes would be. The farm uses scientific culture and traditional filtration methods.)
- Beach attached for some extra fun ( The Chappa Beach (aka Malippuram)- located right in front of the farm. The farm and beach are like on opposite sides of the road, facing each other)
- Safe and organized as it is run by the Government.

Expenses :
Apart from the travel expense, this Gallan had to spend Rs.150 (Rs.100 for kid Gallans ) for entry ticket. It was worth the 150 spent as it not just includes entry, but also meals and boat riding. The Kerala style meals came along with fish curry, fish fry, prawns pickle and ice cream (not so Kerala’yish though ). This Gallan also got a plate of prawns dry curry for an extra Rs.75 . Also took two Pazham-Pori (Banana Fry – Rs.5 each) and a tea in the evening. Small snacks like ‘Lays’ and bottled water were also available for sale in the food hut…

Special Notes:
For Ladies – The toilet and changing room is pathetic. Can’t really rely on them.
For the ‘dudes and dudetes’ in Kochi, who wouldn’t want to spend the 150 – You may enjoy the beach for FREE ( ) and also get a sneak preview of the farm by taking the side road that runs across a canal.

How you could reach there (from the city) :
- By bus?
Any of the North Paravur or Kodungalloor or Munambam buses from the High Court Junction could take you there. Get down at the ‘Valappu Junction’ stop and ask any rickshaw-wallah to drop you at this place. And thats it.

- Have your own vehicle (can travel in cars) ?
Travel from High Court towards Vypeen Beach route, crossing the Goshree Bridges. Take left from the ‘Valappu Junction’, which is almost 2 KMs after the junction where you turn to go to the Puthu-Vypeen beach. In total, its just above 12 KMs ride from the city.From the Valappu Junction, take the bye-road and travel straight through a narrow road (which gets narrower inch after inch) for about 2 KMs. When you reach a dead end, take right and again go straight for around 200- 400 metres to reach the place.

Timing:
- 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM everyday .
* Its gonna be a bad idea if you are planning to go here on the Onam day. Cos, the centre’s only holiday in a year is on Onam day. It is open during the entire 364 days remaining. Happy?
If any concerned authorities are reading this.. Don’t you think that this place can be made far better than how it is now? Market it better and work on the food varieties. Atleast a board near the mangrove forest to explain what mangroves are to the tourists who doesn’t know about it? Think.

Gallan suggests:
- Set out to reach the place by around 11 AM. Collect the tickets from the small ticket house and head towards the ‘Mangrove Forest’ area, which falls to be the first on the way.
- Spend around an hour in the mangrove forest. Concrete seats have been made to sit in between the mangrove trees. There is also a swing where you could spend some time, and click pics. (Now, don’t ask what all could be done during the one hour. If you are with your friends/family, you may play some games like ‘Anthakshari’. Or if you are with your lover…you know what to do )
- After noon, head towards the shrimp farm, crossing the series of colorful bamboo bridges. And then have your meals along with exquisite scenery. Relax before, during and after having your food. Its a special experience.
- After that, you may either enjoy a bit of sun bathing or may head out for fishing. There are numerous nets on which you may enjoy your sun bathing. And for fishing, the management will help you with the equipments. You don’t have to carry any. (fishing rods available for a very nominal rent). But to carry your catch back home, you need to pay them a very nominal rate ( which is very cheap when compared to the market price), depending on the weight of your catch. They can also cook it for you !!!
- By around 4, you may start with the boat riding. There are pedal boats which come for free and motor boats for which you need to pay.
Suggestion – Pay a little extra and enjoy the motor boat ride. They’ll take you on to it show you the most exciting scene that this Gallan saw ever during the visit (Milk Fishes literally flew around me. I swear )
- Most important. Wind up everything by 5-5:30 and get out of the farm to head towards the Chappa Beach (aka Malippuram beach) (location mentioned above). You should make it a point to enjoy the sunset at this beach. Its a very pleasant site.
Its not recommended to stay there for long after sunset. Rush back to your home, log in to the net and comment a ‘Thank You’ for this Gallan. Won’t you??? Hehe.. Enjoy

http://kochigallan.com/featured/the-matsyafed-milkyway-aqua-tourism-centre-and-valappu-beach-vypeen-gallan-style/

Other reviews read- http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/article1543487.ece

Ezhattumugham Nature Village
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We went there once, but it was in summer. Not much water was there.

Kumbalangy - India's 1st Model Tourism Village

Kumbalangy is a suburb of the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India, located in the district of Ernakulam. The place was selected as a model tourism village by the Government of India.

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Matsyafed Aqua Tourism at Njarackal

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We (myself, my BIL and his friend) went there one day. Great place!!

Aqua Tourism at Palakkari, near Poothotta

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Cherai Beach

The most popular beach in Kochi region, which is in process of development to international levels. With vast beach areas, long golden sands and distinction for being one of the rarest beach that offers both Beach and Backwater views in the world, this beach has already became a tourist's paradise.

Located near to Paravur, the ancient seat of Chera Empires, this beach is 22 kms from Kochi and accessible thro' Vypin and NH 17 roads.

The beach is extremely famous for its kite festival and weekend kite flying competitions. Apart from this, this beach hosts one of the secular Beach festivals in Kerala.

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The beach's sands is narrowly sandwiched between giant backwaters on its east and beach on west. Thus tourists can go for both fresh water and sea water fishing, if interested. Boat riding in backwaters and paragiliding in beaches are popular sports here

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Map

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Paniyeli Poru



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hearing for the first time about this place, but the images have impressed me a lot.. Will surely try to visit this place once I get time...

Varapuzha

The idyllic Varapuzha backwaters that have one of the breathtaking views in the city. Located 15 kms from the city center, the village is now attracting good number of tourists for weekends and picnics. Many private operators, started marketing the north suburbs of Chittoor, Poojnikkara, Varapuzha collectively as Kuttanad of Kochi, which is making good bucks.

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Bhoothathankettu

Boothathankettu is a riverside tourist spot where the mighty Periyar river is blocked by natural dam with a series of large blocks of natural granite. This resulted in creating a natural reservoir. A popular picnic spot, it is also a haven for bird watchers and wildlife adventurists. The site is located around 45 kms from the city center near Kothamangalam

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Elaveezhapoonchira

Elaveezhapoonchira , a hill station near Thodupuzha, on border to Ernakulam district, located 60 kms from Cochin city is gaining tourist importance. Elaveezhapoonchira means valley where leaves don’t fall and is names so because the place has no trees. This is also one of the best places in Kerala to witness both the sun rise and sunset. The hills are located almost 3500 above sea level and it utmost an adventurist's dream thrill trek....

Located among three beautiful hillocks Mankunnu,Kudayathoormala and Thonippara, Poonchira is a place of picturesque charm. Legends say that the pool here was a bathing place for Panchali the heroine of Mahabharata. The D.T.P.C. is developing this place into a trekking spot. The beautiful valleys of Poonchira spread across thousands of acres. The verdant land scape punctuated by the gigantic hills , each rising to around 3200 sft. is an ideal place to un wind. During the monsoons when the valley fillup to form a scenic lake, this place unveils yet another beautiful slice of nature.

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Hey, guys, the video is not any world famous Alleppey or Kuttanad Backwaters. But its Kochi's rural face. Yes, Kadamakudy- just 18 kms from City, which is famous for vast backwaters and idyllic scene.

Andhakaranazhi Beach (32 km from Vyttila)

To reach there, go straight in NH 47 till Thuravur. take first right after Thuravur Jn

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Light House at Andhakaranazhi
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A Boat Approaching Andhakaranazhi Harbour
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A Road near Andhakaranazhi Beach
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Andhakaranazhi Beach (32 km from Vyttila)

To reach there, go straight in NH 47 till Thuravur. take first right after Thuravur Jn



Instead of NH 47, use Thoppumpady - Chellanam route. It offers scenic views of backwaters and lagoons in south western Kochi.

Hello Friends,
I wish, in my next visit, I wish to go to some beautiful retreats of Idukki. Can anyone guide me the distance from Kochi TOWN to Rajakumari CITY or similar in Idukki?

I had seen Violin movie today only. Ever since that, I am in hang-over to visit Rajakumari CITY as the hero Asif Ali says!!!! I have never been to such cities at all!!!:lol:

It is a local slang in Idukki to call the local village square as "city". Nothing wrong with that, as by no means they are claiming that it is a city as defined in the constitution.

It will be different if they start formally claiming that.

Visited kadamattom church on a weekend, about 34 kms from here beside Kochi-Dhanushkodi NH.. Nice experiance visitng & experiancing the place where "Kadamattathu Kathanar" lived...

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Note the age-old temple-style architecture
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Amazing..............

Dear MI, where exactly this location? Eastern side of Vypin island (between Cherai and Puthuvypin)?

Amazing..............

Dear MI, where exactly this location? Eastern side of Vypin island (between Cherai and Puthuvypin)?

I believe its located near Chitoor Ferry opposite to Kadamakudy Island... I am not sure... I have once seen something like this at Ferry station.

there are less know tourist spots in Muvattupuzha Taluk
1) Maniyanthram(Maniyanthadam) hills - Gives a Birds eye view of the Planes..Good For trekking fellas.
60kms from Kochi. situated near Madakkathanam(Vazhakulam),Muvattupuzha taluk
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from wiki:
There is a small mound called 'Aanappara'(ആനപ്പാറ) in Madakkathanam near Mylacombu - Madakkathanam road. In the centre portion of Aanappara, there is a small pool called 'Thavalakkulam'(തവളക്കുളം). The view of sunrise and sunset from Aanappara is very nice.

Maniyanthram (Bellmachine-മണിയന്ത്രം)is just few km away from Madakkathanam. We can really enjoy the beautiful series of gentle hills, valleys and green slopes from the top station of Maniyanthram hill!

2)Areekka(അരീക്ക) waterfalls, Pampakuda - A small Waterfall situated between Muvtpuzha and Piravom. 38kms from Kochi. it is near to Thrippunithura.
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Other Places of Interest:
* Thommankuthu Falls, near Thodupuzha,Idukki..approximately 75kms
* Malankara dam,5kms from Thodupuzha
* Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, near Kothamangalam 65kms from Kochi
* Chiyyappara,Valara Waterfalls,Adimaly, Idukki district - 82kms approximately.
* Thumbachi Mala,arakkulam, Thodupuzha via

Kochiites need no introduction to ‘fishing’. You might not have gone out there to the deep blue sea to throw nets for fresh catch, but definitely would’ve tried your luck with fishing rods. For those who haven’t, here is the place (right here in our very own Kochi) which you would love to visit. Peace, calmness, serenity, green, and yummy food at its best, which is what Njarackal Eco tourism project offers you.

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Fish till you lose your patience. Take a boat ride when you feel like. And savour on yummy ‘naadan’ food when hunger strikes. All these at just 150 rupees!! Undoubtedly, a deal which is worth it! This Eco tourism project is run by the Matsyafed Fish farm, and has been treating Kochiites since the past few years. The best part is, you can take home the fishes you catch, and that too at cheap rates. You would find a flood of ‘Karimeen’ waiting for you to hook them to your rods when you enter the fish farm.

The good people around makes your trip even more pleasant and enjoyable. The sumptuous lunch that they serve there is something which you would not want to miss. So if you just want to enjoy bright sunny day fishing, all you need to pay is 50 rupees!

Now you know where to spend a good nice holiday in Kochi. Njarackal Eco tourism is creating waves. Make sure you do not miss this

http://www.kochivibe.com/go-fishing-kochi/

I went to both Njarackal farm and Palaikari Farm near Vaikom

Palaikari has more area, and is more beautiful. But there are no fish to catch. We caught plenty of fish from Njarackal

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New Tourism project for Bhoothankettu Dam area

Tourism Minister Anil Kumar said that he believes lot of potential is there to make the site, one of the most biggest eco-tourist hub in the country. A eco-tourist covering Bhoothankettu-Thattekadu-Edamalayar-Neriyamangalam is planned to allow tourists enjoy the best of nature's gift.

New Tourism project for Bhoothankettu Dam area

Ernakulam to get first adventure tourism site
The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is all set to develop Bhoothathankettu dam site into a base camp for Outdoor Adventure Tourism. The aim is to attract techies to conduct camps and experience adventure sports. The proposal for the first adventure tourism project is approved and initial work will begin soon.
According to DTPC sources, the project targets techies to conduct training camps. “The project has just begun and Rs 50 lakh has been already approved. We are intending to develop the Boothathankeetu site ideally for camping and the adventure sports. The visitors will get an ideal experience of night camping and trekking. We will also form a Bhoothathankettu Management council to monitor the activities of the tourist centre” DTPC official said. The project will include a day long trip starting at the Marine Drive. The visitors can spend a day experiencing adventure sports like trekking and kayaking. This will be the first adventure tourism spot in the district.
“Once the work is finished, the project will be a big hit. After the completion of the first phase of the project, it will be developed further. We will visit the spot next week and will conduct a study to examine what more can be done for tapping the full potential of Boothathankettu,” T N Jayashankar, DTPC secretary said.
Bhoothathankettu has the potential of becoming one of the must-visit places in Kerala. As of now, owing to the lack of infrastructure, it is easily missed by the tourists. However, recently, the plans to develop Bhoothathankettu dam site seems to have finally acquired some direction and drive. Once you arrive at the Bhoothathankettu, located eight kms north-east of Kothamangalam, there are various activities for one to indulge in.
A trip upriver on a houseboat, speedboat rides, a trek into the jungle, rock climbing, fishing. However, the upcoming project will be one of the highlights of the Kerala tourism map.

IBN (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ernakulam-to-get--first-adventure-tourism-site/198409-60-122.html)

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Thrissur (or Thrissivaperur) — the land of Poorams — is rich in cultural heritage, archeological wealth and history. It is popularly known as the cultural capital of Kerala. Besides its rich and varied cultural heritage, the district is also blessed with unique natural tourist attractions.

One such place is Chetuva, a coastal village situated 22 kms south-west of Thrissur, 55 kms from Kochi, near Vadanapally and in between Engandiyur and Kadappuram panchayats. The destination is famed for its fort, Chinese fishing nets, green mangrove islands, migratory birds and estuary and is also one of the emerging backwater tourism destinations in central Kerala.

History of Chetuva

Chetuva has a prominent place in the colonial history of Kerala. The Dutch and British camped here because of its proximity to the Arabian Sea. William Fort, built by the Dutch in 1714, is a major landmark. Chetuva was declared as a heritage village by the government of Kerala during 2010 because of its rich and unique culture, heritage and history. The presence of the deteriorated fort was instrumental in Chetuva getting the heritage village status.

The government has taken initiatives to develop the fort and its surroundings in order to promote tourism. During the pre-independence era, it was an important commercial and trade centre in the state.

Chetuva fort

William Fort, popularly known as Chetuva fort, is an imposing structure located at Chetuva sand banks. The fort was constructed by the Dutch with the permission from Kochi kings in 1714.

Later on, the fort came under the control of Zamorins and thereafter Tipu Sultan captured the fort, defeating Zamorins in the Malabar war and the fort came to be known as Tipu Sultan fort.

Frequent wars were fought between British, Dutch, Zamorins and Kochi kings for the domination and control of this fort.

The fort was captured by Tipu Sultan and was demolished partially. Spreading across five acres of land, the walls of the fort are about 12 ft thick. Due to neglect, the fort is now in a bad shape. Now it is covered with grass, plants and shrubs. The fort’s conservation started in January 2010 under state archeological department’s control.

Other attractions here include its scenic backwaters and the famous Chinese fishing nets found in abundance.

Chetuva is truly an attractive and a peaceful destination that has the potential to satisfy travellers who prefer the company of nature.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/lifestyle/wanderlust/chetuva-attractive-blend-586

^^I think this is a mis-post. It should be posted in Thrissur thread.

^^I think this is a mis-post. It should be posted in Thrissur thread.

No Mahesh... This thread is about weekend GETWAYS from Kochi, which allows people coming to Kochi or currently living in Kochi to choose options available within 100 kms of radius from the city for a weekend outing or picnic. Eariler we have posted informations about Elavizhapoonchira in Kottayam and some places in Alleppy, all near to Kochi.

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Nice Pics Antony!!!!:cheers:

Well, I feel the width of Cherai Beach has reduced after Tsunami, though the length increased nearly 3 or 4 times. Well, the width reduction has created 2 other beaches, Puthuvypeen and Munnabam.... If the govt doesnot spoil Munnabam Sandbars formed to make it a prefect Beach, surely Munnabam can be exploited commercially as its a very lovely beach.

What I like the most about Cherai and Munnabam is that both are sandwiched between Beach and Backwaters. Cherai Backwaters is really idyllic and a boating is a worth experiencing. In Alleppey, the Vembanadu Lake has been commercialized due to N Number of houseboats plying. But in Cherai, the solitude is something unique...... I have done that a year that I was lost in my own world.....

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I also liked this concept... I have seen several stone edicts-like plaques of Kerala Govt erected in several places, giving directions as well as information to local public..... Well I have seen similar to this in front of Durbar Hall as well asin Paliyam... But couldn't read in my rush. Thanks for the pic as I could understand the utility of the such edicts. It takes back to some sort of King Asoka's era where hundreds of stone edicts erected..... But good as it creates a historical and touristic value.

The beach looks pretty wide to me.

After the Tsunami, it had gone real narrow, but the last time I went there (in summer), there was lot of sand getting deposited there. The shallow sand bars extended at least 100ft into the water, making it safe to wade out.

HARITHAVANAM @ ALUVA MANAPPURAM


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VIEW OF TRINITY PERIYAR SANDS FROM HARITHAVANAM
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VIEW OF SFS AQUA GREENS FROM HARITHAVANAM
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Fearing Somali pirates, tourists abandon Kochi
They brave the rough seas. But, for the yachtsmen, the pirates have proved a more daunting proposition. And the signs have been ominous for the Kochi International Marina, the country’s first and only marina.
With just four yachts having called at the Kochi Marina during the past six months, the Rs 8.21 crore facility is struggling to ward of the offshoot of Somali pirates attack on sailors. The seafarers are adventurous enough to brave even rough weather on the high seas, but not the cold-blooded Somali pirates.
Of course, the fall in the number of arrivals of yachts has affected the marina. At the time of inauguration, we expected an average of 10-15 yachts in a month, and the response from tourists in the initial months offered much hope.
But for the last six months, the number has fallen to an alarming figure, said Commander (retired) Jose Varghese, head of operations, Kochi Marina.
Soon after the inauguration of the marina, there was a flow of visitors from the UK, the US, France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. “Early this year, two couples had been kidnapped and killed by the pirates. This incident seemed to have frightened the sailors which has made them cautious,” commander Jose said.
Beckoning adventurous seafarers, the Kochi International Marina, set up by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) on Bolghatty Island, was commissioned on April 24, 2010. The marina is being operated by Mumbai-based Ocean Blue on a three-year contract. “The marina has a capacity for accommodating 34 yachts. But, most of the jetties in the marina are remaining vacant. Though the Navies of various countries are keeping vigil in the area, the sailors are not confident of reaching their destinations safely,” Commander Jose said. A three-storeyed Marina and Recreation House, among other facilities, is a major component of the Kochi Marina.

IBN (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/fearing-somali-pirates-tourists-abandon-kochi/201630-60-122.html)

ALUVA-ULIYANOOR-ALUVA TRIP

VIEW OF FEDERAL GARDENS FROM ULIYANOOR BRIDGE

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VIEW OF ALUVA MARKET SIDE FROM ULIYANOOR BRIDGE

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ULIYANOOR

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RIVER PERIYAR NEAR KADUNGALOOR,ALUVA

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VIEW OF MARTHANDAVARMA BRIDGE FROM AQUADUCT

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ENTERING KADUNGALOOR

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VIEW OF ALUVA BYPASS SIDE FROM AQUADUCT

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AQUADUCT PASSING KADUNGALOOR

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BACK TO ALUVA,VIEW OF AQUADUCT FROM ULIYANOOR BRIDGE

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PERIYAR RIVER @ ALUVA PHOTOS

VIEW OF MANAPPURAM FROM ALUVA ADVAITA ASHRAM KADAVU

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MANAPURAM SIVA TEMPLE

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Kumbalangi-Kochi, India's first Model eco-tourist village

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A new tourist spot in the making


KOCHI: Lack of enough public spaces for leisure outings in the city is making people explore interesting places in the outskirts of the city. With no proper walkway or seating arrangement, the emerging Marine Drive near the Container Road at the North Mulavukadu Junction, has already raised hopes of the Kochiites. Since, the place is clam, beautiful and perfect for spending leisure time, the number of visitors is on a constant rise. The inflow of visitors has also led to residents setting up refreshment shops in the area.

“Sundays have more visitors. People come here in there own vehicles as the public transport access to this place is inadequate. They love to watch the sunset from here,” said R Soman, an ice cream vendor.

The Mulavaukadu Panchayat has already approached the state government for financial support to convert the spot into one of the tourist destinations of the city. “The lake and the river add on to the scenic beauty of the place and attracts more people everyday. The new Container Road, that allows the frequent movement of the people from different parts of the city, allows easy access to this place,” said A K Dhinakaran, Mulavukadu Panchayat president. He said that last month, the panchayat had submitted a proposal to develop the place into a tourist destination to the Chief Minister. “The proposal includes construction of a water park, introducing Kashmiri model house boats, providing recreation facilities like a walkway etc,” he added.

At present, the visitors are using the land on one side of the Container Road, which is already filled for widening, as the walkway. “This proposal will help in tackling the issues related to the lack of public spaces in the city to a certain extent. It will also be a boost to the tourism development in this area. However, we are waiting for the approval from the government.” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) project director C T Abraham said that the decision on the construction of a walkway at this place can be taken only after completing the construction of theContainer Road. “At present, we have only completed the construction of the two lanes out of the 45-metre four lane stretch. If necessary, we will have to construct service roads there.” he said. However, Abraham added that the NHAI would look into the possibilities of constructing a walkway if there is space even after the construction of service roads.http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/a-new-tourist-spot-in-the-making/337078.html

A responsible tourism village in the making


KOCHI: In a unique attempt to boost tourism, the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is planning to develop Thanthonni Thuruthu island, which is 430 metres away from the Kochi coast, into a ‘Responsible Tourism Village.’

The concept, according to DTPC secretary Jayashankar, is to develop the village with a population of at least 150 people, into an area where tourists can come, fish and cook their own meals under the supervision of the locals on the island.

“We have identified a site on the island, a few meters away from the coast, which has the potential to be promoted as a fishing area, especially since it has a large population of prawns and other fish,” Jayashankar said. However, he added that there are no plans to touch the coastal side for this tourism project.

“Some of the houses in the village could also be converted into homestays. The local inhabitants could be trained to give tourists the feel of the village,” he said. Jayashankar added that a proposal has been submitted to the Tourism Department to revive the angawadi into a community centre.

The tourism authorities said: “The concept would provide a break to the people living in the city to come and enjoy a natural set-up, not far from the city they live in.” The cost-effective project is a part of the Responsible Tourism Village concept wherein the locals, tourists and local bodies would be jointly responsible for the social, financial, economical and environmental aspects of the island and it would bring direct revenue to the villagers. Meanwhile, the villagers and local bodies prefer the ‘Knowledge City’ concept to be slowly introduced to the Thanthonni Thuruthu island by a Bangalore-based company.

According to the residents, they have bigger problems that need to be resolved before introducing the concept of village tourism. Councillor S Manikandan said: “Better facilities need to be introduced to the island first. We have no bridges connecting the island to the city. Besides, our boat jetties are in the most deplorable state. Unless, these problems are identified, the people will not cooperate.” Most of the people living on the island are now working as labourers in various construction companies and are not interested in going back to fishing, he said.
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/A-responsible-tourism-village-in-the-making/337992.html

Beach Tourism Mela @ Pazhangad Beach

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cc: Mathrubhumi

Rs 9.5 crore worth projects for Bhoothathankettu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhoothathankettu)

To develop as visitor's heaven

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Source: Mathrubhumi

Tourists can go wild with adventure sport (http://http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/tourists-can-go-wild-with-adventure-sport/352117.html)



Aiming to include Ernakulam in the world circuit of tourism, the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is planning a new project in which the tourists would be provided experience in wildlife spotting and adventure sport. The DTPC will form a tourism circuit connecting Bhoothathankettu, Thattekad and Neriamangalam in this regard.

The Council has already initiated a project for adventure tourism at Bhoothathankettu. Once completed, it will be connected with Thattekad and Neriamangalam.

The adventure trip will be included in a three-day package under which the tourists coming to Kochi can travel to Bhoothathankettu and spend an entire day and night there.
They can also experience trekking, river rafting and night camping at Bhoothathankettu.

On the second day, they can move to Thattekad where the entire day will be set aside for boating and bird watching. By evening, they can go to Neriamangalam where a night camp will be arranged.

On the next day, they can return to Ernakulam or move to Munnar.
“We are planning a new tourism circuit which will certainly get popular among tourists. The tourism circuit will be realised only after getting the approval of the district administration and the Forest Department,” said DTPC secretary T N Jayashankar.

“The circuit will also bring in development in the area and create more job opportunities. However, the project will be very significant for tourism sector in the district as more tourists, especially foreigners, who are interested in adventure would get attracted to it. We are planning to send the proposal to higher authorities and expect to get the nod this year,” Jayashankar added.

“Adventure-related tourism packages are popular among the tourist coming to our state. Most of them are interested in trekking and jungle trail. The new circuit will be made by keeping in view the interests of these tourists,” the DTPC official said.

Buggies to Run on Puthuvypeen Beach Sands (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/buggies-to-run-on-puthuvypeen-beach-sands/220142-60-122.html)
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A girl rides a ‘bike buggy’ at Cherai beach

To tap the tourism potential of Puthuvypeen beach, District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is all set to introduce beach buggies there. The beach buggies, which are four-wheeled motorcycles for sand rides, are already operating at the Cherai beach and will be shifted to the Puthuvypeen beach. The authorities are hoping it to attract more tourists.
DTPC is also planning for additional four buggies apart from those to be brought from the Cherai beach. The tourists can rent the bikes and cruise through the sands of the beach. At present, DTPC has leased out the project to ‘Beach Route,’ a private firm.
Beach Route manager V K Suresh said that they were operating a 200 cc bike for grown-ups and a 50 cc bike one for children.
“The beach buggies are popular among the tourists at the Cherai beach. However, due to dense sand and high water level at Cherai, the buggies had to be pulled out for maintenance quite often,” he said.
“Running the beach buggies in water will damage the engine. One of the bikes got damaged when a rider strayed into sea water. Then we approached DTPC and got the sanction to shift the buggies to Puthuvypeen beach,” Suresh said.
He added that ‘Beach Routes’ were planning to import four more buggies from Taiwan. “Four more buggies will be introduced from next month. We have made an order for the buggies with an agency in Mumbai. Each buggy costs around `2.25 lakh. Since there are no agencies for buggies in Kerala, in case of technical snags, we have to call mechanics from Mumbai,” he said. The buggies will be charged according to the usage time of a tourist. “We charge `800 for one hour for the adults and `500 for kids. The charges are high because the buggies have very low mileage, almost 15 to 20 kilometre per litre of petrol. But if the demand increases, we will lower the rate, he said.
According to T N Jayashankar, DTPC secretary, the project in Cherai was first of its kind in Kerala. “Demand for adventure tourism is very high in our state and DTPC is planning more such tourism projects in the district,” he said.

Buggies to Run on Puthuvypeen Beach Sands (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/buggies-to-run-on-puthuvypeen-beach-sands/220142-60-122.html)

The Puthvypeen Beach Buggies report in Manorama

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Kochi and Water!

Kochi channel dredger
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Vypin Walkway
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DP World, Vallarpadam
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Vipin-Fort Kochi ferry service
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Cruise Vessel in Kochi channel
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Kuzhupilly Island
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DP World view from Vypin
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Kuzhupilly Beach
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Cherai Beach
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Munambam Beach
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Munambam Beach, Kochi
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Our Lady of Snow Church
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Vallarpadam Church
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Vypin light house
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Kuzhupilly Island
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Pics courtesy: www.vypeenchurch.org

Muziris (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-editorialfeatures/article2852021.ece)
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Visitors can also head off north of Kochi to Pattanam (near Kodungalloor). A thriving port many centuries back, Muziris is said to have just vanished. Recent excavations by the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) has thrown up the possibility that Pattanam, a small village in the locality, could be the lost port of Muziris.

Kalady, the birthplace of Adi Sankaracharya – the Advaita philosopher of the 8th century, is about 45 kms from Kochi. Located around 30 kms from the city is Kodanad, one of the largest elephant training centres in southern India. Malayatoor (47 kms from Kochi) is famous for the Catholic Church dedicated to St Thomas and is a pilgrimage shrine.

Bhootathankettu, 50 km north-east of Kochi, is a haven located amidst a forest and is close to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekad.

The sanctuary is noted for birds such as the Malabar grey hornbill, the blue-winged parakeet and the Ceylon frog mouth. Kadambrayar and Ezhattumukham are the other popular tourist spots.

No doubt, visitors have plenty to savour.

West Kochi (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-editorialfeatures/article2852024.ece)
Fort Kochi, the oldest European township in India is the beehive of tourist activities in the district. It probably has the best preserved history of colonial times. The massive trees that dot the periphery of Veli ground and their huge canopy, welcome guests to the locale. Their birch gets thicker as one travels nearer to the Fort Kochi heritage zone - home to the ancient Chinese fishing nets. Around a dozen of these indelible signatures of Kochi are still operated by fishermen at the Fort Kochi beach.

History peers out from around every street corner in the town. A walk through the streets bearing names like Lilly Street, Napier Street, Princess Street and Peter Celli Street takes visitors through days of yore, since the houses and buildings on either side are built in Portuguese, Dutch and English architectural styles or plainly put, Indo-European style.

Most of the structures still hold on to their identity despite callous attempts to redo some of them using cheap techniques. Local residents confide that removing encroachments by buildings, clearing garbage and eyesores such as flex boards would help Fort Kochi re-attain its old-world charm. They also look forward to the day when tourists would be able to freely walk through the streets of the heritage town without being disturbed by vehicles.

The Archeological Survey of India recently carried out renovation work on the St Francis Church, where Vasco Da Gama was first buried before his remains were taken to Portugal. But numerous other historical monuments here are crying for upkeep. Nearby Mattancherry too gets its due share of visitors, the main attraction being the synagogue built in 1568, the oldest in the Commonwealth. The Jew Town that leads to the synagogue is equally exciting and has retained most of its old-world charm. Over a dozen Jews still live here. The Dutch Palace that is located a stones throw away, dates back to the Portuguese era – 1557. It was renovated by the Dutch in 1663.

Drive a few kilometers to reach Kumbalanghi, the first model tourism village in India. Mangroves are nurtured here. As in Fort Kochi, there are homestays here too.

A boat ride from Marine Drive, a popular hangout, takes guests through the placid backwaters on Kochi's western end. They also get to see many landmarks of Kochi – the Dutch-built Bolghatty Palace – now a KTDC-run hotel, the adjacent marina, the Vallarpadam and LNG terminals, Willingdon Island, and Vypeen from the boat.

del

AZHIKODE MUNAKKAL BEACH-KODUNGALLUR, THRISSUR (One of the largest beaches in Kerala)

27 km from Kochi and just 7km from Cherai Beach

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OPEN STAGE

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PARKING AREA

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MUNAMBAM BEACH, KOCHI

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Fantastic.:)

The beach and its settings is really fanastic and top class.... Infact, I knew there is a new beach at Munnakal, but never knew its fantastic to this level.... :cheers:

Surely, I feel, its more better than Cherai..... In in many ways, it resembles to Kozhikode beach, particularly because of those trees near to beach.....

I guess, very soon, Munnakal, Puthuvype Beach and Cherai, will be new hot cakes for Kerala Tourism......

The govt should plan right now, to have a good 4 laned beach road etc..... And opposite side with good plots for sale for hotels and beach tourism oriented projects...... A good light and sound show in evenings as well as beach tourism events, will surely raise the bar of this beautiful stretch......

I feel, its high time to close Fort Kochi Beach from tourism promotion materials, as its almost mocking the concept about the beach. Rather the site can be used for an excellent Water Theater performances with water screen and projections like in Sentosa Island, while the small beach area forming a well set amphitheater...... While these stretches must be extensively promoted as Kochi's new Beaches........

Excellent Pics Biju

Excellent pics biju :) Didn't know that munnakal beach is this fantastic.

The beach and its settings is really fanastic and top class.... Infact, I knew there is a new beach at Munnakal, but never knew its fantastic to this level.... :cheers:

Main reason for the ignorance of this fantastic beach is the lack of connectivity from Kochi due to the absence of a bridge between Azhikode and Munambam.

I guess, very soon, Munnakal, Puthuvype Beach and Cherai, will be new hot cakes for Kerala Tourism......

The govt should plan right now, to have a good 4 laned beach road etc..... And opposite side with good plots for sale for hotels and beach tourism oriented projects...... A good light and sound show in evenings as well as beach tourism events, will surely raise the bar of this beautiful stretch......


Rightly said MI. Like ECR in Chennai...

Paragliding in Kochi soon :cheers:

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The gliders that take off from Puthuvypin beach, will cover Vallarpadam & Vypin giving a complete view of Kochi city from the sky and will return to Puthuvypeen beach.

The project that got navy approval, is waiting for Defence approval due to the presence of Port and other strategic centres.

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Source: Deepika

New wave catches up with Puthuvype (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2877699.ece)

Beach buggies or off-road vehicles ideal for being driven along beaches are becoming a hit on the once sleepy Puthuvype beach in Kochi.

And it is not just the youth who have taken a fancy for it, buggies tailor-made for women and children too have been introduced on the expansive beach spanning 5 km.

A first in State

This may be the first time that such vehicles are being introduced on any beach in Kerala.

Though initially introduced on the Cherai beach a month ago by the Ernakulam district tourism promotion council (DTPC), they were shifted to the shallower Puthuvype beach, which also has a bigger coastline.

The other advantage is that the beach is much nearer to the city — about 12 km from the High Court junction and much less crowded than Cherai. Visitors can see ships passing at a distance and also the Fort Kochi beachfront.

There are fixed rates for 30 minute and hour-long drives. “We will purchase more buggies to keep up with the demand,” Suresh P. Kamalan, who operates them, says.

His present fleet has buggies with and without gear, running on petrol engines of Honda and Yamaha.

Thanks to their suspension, the four-wheelers do not topple easily and are a delight for adventure-seeking people. They also have the reverse gear and can swerve on sand.

Considering that careless riders can run them into people on the beach, they are permitted to operate only on the southern and northern sides of the beach. They also have to give a written declaration that they would be responsible for steering around the off-road vehicle on the beachfront. The buggies are of Chinese and Taiwanese make, with the parts being assembled in Mumbai.

Lacking facilities

Despite its potential as a holiday spot close to the city, the beach does not have the necessary facilities for visitors.

There is no pay-and-park area for vehicles and that makes it tough to walk on the pathway leading to the beach. As for vehicles, they easily get trapped in the sand. “The beach is full on weekends and holidays,” says Dharmajan, a resident of the area. “Unlike many other beaches, Puthuvype is a secure one and anti-social elements do not create any trouble here. We need more buses plying to the locality so that more people come to savour the sunset and also the famed light house,” his friends Amarasimhan and Manoharan chip in.

An evening walker along the beach, James spoke of how the proceeds of the Puthuvype tourism ‘mela' could be used to develop the beach.

“Benches could be laid along the beach for those who cannot sit on the sand,” he suggested.

The only eyesore on the beach is the massive compound walls of oil and LNG companies.

The proposal to have an LPG storage depot near the beach ran aground following opposition from residents of the thickly-inhabited locality.

It might be noteworthy that the beach expanded in phases at Puthuvype, in proportion to the sea eating into the Fort Kochi beach. DTPC secretary T.N. Jayasankar points out that the beach can be better maintained if the area is handed over to local bodies. “We have plans to open an information and food kiosk there,” he says.

John L. Paul

Houseboat to cruise through Kumbalangi Backwater (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/houseboat-to-cruise-through-kumbalangi-backwater/232182-60-122.html)

Rs 5000/day is very reasonable of a single bed house boat cruise!
Want to have a backwater cruise at reasonable rates? Come to Kumbalangi. The Kumbalangi Model Tourism Society is going to launch a houseboat of its own. In spite of being blessed with the vast stretches of serene backwaters which are ideal for a cruise, the locals never came up with the idea of launching a houseboat service.
“Every year a large number of domestic and international tourists visit Kumbalangi and enjoy the beauty of the village. Most of them look forward to a backwater cruise as well,” said M P Sivadathan, president, Kumbalangi Model Tourism Society (KMTDS).
“We have been getting inquiry on availability of houseboats ever since the tourists started arriving at Kumbalangi. This prompted the society to launch a houseboat of its own,” Sivadathan said. “Presently, tourists visiting Kochi including those who come by luxury cruise vessels, have to travel to Alappuzha to enjoy a backwater cruise.
Most of the cruise line passengers visit Kumbalangi and ask for houseboat services. It would be better if we can provide the facility in Kumbalangi itself. We have been getting queries from the domestic
tourists as well. We are focusing on cruise boat passengers and domestic tourists,” he said.
Meanwhile, V J Michael, a member of KMTDS, who runs a homestay in Kumbalangi has already launched a one-bedroom houseboat which offers service at comparatively cheap rate. Our charge for 24 hours is `5,000 and this includes food as well. We are mainly focusing on honeymoon couples. The bedroom has bath attached and also boasts of a kitchen. The boat is available on hourly basis as well,” Michael said. However, he said that the boat will not be conducting service beyond Perumpadappu. ‘’The boat will be plying in backwater in and around Kumbalangi only,” he said.]r in and around Kumbalangi only,” he said.

Kumbalangi will be sweet home away from home (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/now-experience-home-sweet-home-at-kumbalangi/246297-60-122.html)

Having turned itself into a model tourism village, Kumbalangi is toying with the idea of setting up homesteads. Kumbalangi tourism village has already received international acclaim for its serene beauty and agrarian lifestyle. Broadly defined, homesteading is a lifestyle of simple self-sufficiency.

“Setting up of homesteads is proposed under the project ‘Sustainable Agri-village’,” said Kumbalangi Model Tourism Society president M P Sivdathan. “Homesteads is a concept jointly supported by the Department of Agriculture and the grama panchayat. The plan is to set up 100 homesteads in Kumbalangi before the next tourism season,” he added. He said that existing homes will be developed into homesteads.

“The plan is to familiarise tourists with the agrarian way of life. A tourist who is brought to a homestead will be provided with ethnic food. He is also allowed to take part in the preparation of the food. The food will be prepared with rice, vegetables and fruits which are organically produced in Kumbalangi,” he said. Apart from familiarising tourists with the rural life, the concept of homesteads also offer a means of income for local people who are ready to operate homesteads. We have tied up with some travel agencies for including the ‘Kumbalangi experience’ while marketing their tour packages,” he said.

Experience in homestead will be beneficial to tourists who have a short stay in Kochi, especially for those who reach Kochi on cruise vessels. They need not stay in Kumbalangi to experience the rural life. It is to be noted that Cochin Port Trust is among the ports that registers the highest numbers of calls from cruise vessels in India. Tourists on cruise vessels are already visiting Kumbalangi and the number is on the rise every season,” Sivadathan said.

Seaplane services to boost tourism (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article3295372.ece)
Seaplane services from Kochi to Lakshadweep, proposed by the State government, will have a considerable impact on the tourism industry focussed on the islands. It will enhance connectivity among the islands as well as traffic between the islands and the mainland. The amphibian aircraft to be used for the operations could also be pressed into service in backwaters which would be an added attraction to domestic and foreign tourists.

The seaplane services have been running successfully in Male and several other parts of the world. The Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited and the administration of Andaman and Nicobar islands launched a joint venture seaplane services last year between Port Blair and Havelock islands, one of the major tourist attractions. The seaplane services were reportedly operated by the Japanese in the Andaman and Nicobar islands during the Second World War period.

A Kochi-based private aviation group had proposed the launch of seaplane services between Kochi and Lakshadweep a decade ago. The proposal, to operate a 10-seater amphibian aircraft, was approved by Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2001, according to the head of the aviation group, a pilot who wanted to remain anonymous.

The project could not be implemented due to the lack of support from the local administration, according to him. His services were later inducted by the authorities to prepare a feasibility study into the seaplane services in Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Chellanam set to lure with rustic charm! (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chellanam-set-to-lure-with-rustic-charm/247135-60-122.html)
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Sun-kissing beaches, stunning backwaters and the rustic charm of village life. If someone is looking to embark on a journey to romance the picturesque landscapes and fall in love with Chellanam, the District Tourism Promotional Council, in conjunction with the the Chellanam Agri-tourism Village, is all set to offer him/her an experience of a lifetime.

The much-awaited village tour package is expected to take off in Chellanam within a couple of weeks. Apart from the customary ‘tourist spots’, Chellam offers much more to those who want to drench themselves in the true spirit of Nature. The one-day package includes a ride through the paddy fields and the traditional fishing spots in the village. Also, the visitors will be taken to experience a rare insight into traditional labours like toddy tapping, boat making and choir making. “Once the accommodation facilities are set up, the tour will be extended to two or more days,” said the secretary of the Chellanam Agri-tourism Development Society, K V Johnson.
Chellanam shares borders with Kumbalangi, the first model tourism village in the country, and with the opening of the new project Chellanam is also expected to be a major tourist attraction in the Fort Kochi-Alapuzha tourism corridor.

“The tour will start from Kalathara-Kari island, a scenic strip of land at Chellanam facing the backwaters and mangroves. The tourists can have lunch and ideally spend around two hours here. They will be taken on country boats to the Kannamaly Church which is being developed into a tourist pilgrimage centre.

Pothencode beach is another spot where they can enjoy sea-bathing. The traditional copra making unit and the boat yard where small traditional canoes are made are the other major attractions. The trip will be concluded with a dinner, said the chairman of the tourism committee of the Agri-Development Society Sebastian Kochuparambil.

Navy to take back 'Sea-Hawk' aircraft at Changampuzha Park

To be set up near Venduruthy - Vikrant bridge

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Navy to take back 'Sea-Hawk' aircraft at Changampuzha Park (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sea-hawk-aircraft-gets-ready-for-a-facelift/248632-60-122.html)
Sea Hawk Aircraft gets ready for a facelift
The Sea Hawk fighter aircraft at Changampuzha Park in Edappally is likely to get a facelift soon. The plane had been left unattended for a long time and finally, Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has taken the responsibility of its maintenance.
The Sea Hawk fighter aircraft, which saw service on board INS Vikrant, was presented to the people of Kochi in 1999.
Earlier, the park authorities had contacted the Navy to paint the showpiece and to maintain it. However, the Navy declined the request. The tussle between the Navy and the park authorities led to the neglect of the fighter aircraft.
Park authorities said that the Navy had given a facelift to the Sea Hawk around three years ago. However, it was GCDA which came up with a proposal of maintaining the aircraft.
“The plane is historically important. The aircraft was presented to the people of Kochi and we have to maintain it properly,” N Venugopal, chairman, GCDA. He said that the authority is even ready to move the aircraft to GCDA office compound. “We want its proper maintenance. GCDA would protect it if there is no one to take care of it,” he said.
A meeting of the Navy, Changampuzha park office-bearers and GCDA had been scheduled for Monday, where a concrete decision would be taken, said Venugopal.

Parks in Kochi await renovation (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3322563.ece)
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A child enjoying an evening at Subhash Bose
park in Kochi

Kochi Corporation plans to ensure the upkeep of around 20% of the parks each year.

The 39 parks maintained by the Kochi Corporation will be renovated in a phased manner as part of the civic body's initiative to ensure the upkeep of parks and open spaces in the city.

The plan is to ensure the upkeep of around 20 per cent of the parks each year. The agency's budget had promised to renovate parks and attach libraries to many of them. It also spoke of how the ill-maintained Subhash Bose Park in the city and Nehru Children's Park in Fort Kochi would be renovated with private participation.

Kochi has fewer public and open spaces than other cities, since most of the land is in private hands. Still, the upkeep of many parks and open spaces owned by the corporation, GCDA and other agencies is far from satisfactory.

Referring to the urgent need to restore the Subhash Bose Park to its past glory, K.J. Sohan, the chairman of the agency's Town Planning Committee, said that it is among the few green lungs in the city which is also used for recreation. “We are not looking for heavy investment for its upkeep since it is a public space having interface with water (it abuts the backwaters). It has to be well maintained with walkways and trees that provide fresh air.”

The aim is to remodel all parks based on a theme that is in sync with each locality. Public comfort stations will be provided wherever possible, he said.

Most areas developed by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) have parks and open spaces. An example is Panampilly Nagar, which has over half a dozen well-maintained parks. An estimate is being taken to renovate the GCDA's Changampuzha Park in Edapally. The agency's senior town planner V. Gopalakrishna Pillai said that private land developers too must emulate the GCDA. “They must ensure that their properties have standardised roads and open spaces. In cities like Chennai, approved layouts have plenty of open spaces and parks and they command a higher price than unapproved layouts.”

There are instances of real-estate developers purchasing vast areas of land, registering portions in different names to override norms that insist on ‘layout approval.' Though norms say that they must all have open spaces, some developers sell this area too to individuals for a premium.

Light & Sound show museum at Hill Palace

More facilities to be provided for tourists and separate facility for seminars.

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Yachting beckons kids this summer (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Yachting-beckons-kids-this-summer/articleshow/12722646.cms)
For most participants, it was a first time experience on a yacht, but they enjoyed it despite the heat and high winds.

Children enjoyed a different ambience after Kerala Watersports and Sailing Organization (KWSO) organized a summer yachting camp at the Sacred Heart College in Thevara. The backwater behind the college is the training ground for yachting enthusiasts.

"We will have three batches for children aged between 12-15 years over six days. For kids it is free, but adults will have to pay a small fee," said KWSO, Captain of Boats, Jolly Thomas. Thomas said the training period includes physical training, cleaning the yacht, swimming and boat handling.

"We divide the kids into groups and the stress is on swimming. Most of them have seen a swimming pool, but they aren't trained to swim in waters that have undercurrents. We give them a day's break as most kids are exhausted after a day in the sun," Thomas said.

He added that a second batch of 20 students will undergo training this week while another batch is being registered. "From our batch, we will select a few students and giving them intensive training from May 3 to May12 and later they will be given a chance to go for advanced training at Electronics, Mechanical and Engineers Sailing Association [EMESA] in Secunderabad from May 15-31," he said.

He added that ten students will be given an opportunity to participate in the National Inland Enterprise Championship [NIEC] at Khadakwasala, Pune organised by the NDA sailing club.

Children holidaying find park in a shambles (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/kochi/children-holidaying-find-park-shambles-533)
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A girl plays on a shaky bridge at Subhash park.

It is vacation time and parks are a favourite spot for children. But the Subhash Park at the centre of the city is in shambles.

The Kochi Corporation office lies a stone’s throw away, but the authorities have done little to ensure that playing equipment is in right shape for the children to have pleasant evenings.

“The park is spread over a vast area but most of the items have corroded. Portions of brick wall slides have come out and we have advised our students to be cautious.

We came here with great expectations but were disappointed,” said Selvaraj R, a teacher in a group from Tamil Nadu, on a tour to Kerala.

The small bridge set up for children too is in a dilapidated condition with the risk of children falling into the ground due to the slide position.

“In most other parks, the portion where the children lands from the equipment is filled with sand, so that children don’t get hurt. But here the ground is very rough,” says Durga K.S, a native of Panangad and mother of two.

Visitors also complain that half the lamps in the park are not working, not to say anything about the broken benches. The location may be eye-catchy but the stench of the canal on one side and polluted backwaters nearby are driving away visitors.

A Town Planning official said the corporation will implement a renovation project soon to make the park attractive.

“All these problems will be solved then. It will be reconstructed on a PPP-basis and is expected to be completed by December,” he said.

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Tourism sails to coastal areas (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Tourism-sails-to-coastal-areas/articleshow/12860040.cms)
The winds seem to be just right for coastal tourism. For the past one month or so, coastal areas like Cherai, Vypin, Kuzhupilly and Munambam have been witnessing a slew of tourism-related festivals, ecotourism exhibitions, seminars and summer camps conducted with the help of local authorities.

The summer heat has given these tourism-related activities a huge impetus. "Anywhere in the world, summer is the best time to hit the beach. So, we planned to host offshore and backwater sports activities," said Suresh Pillai, secretary, Muziris Yachting Club.

The Muziris Yachting Club and Scuba Cochin will be holding a water sports camp at Munambam beach (36km from the city) from April 26 to May 2. Here one can learn swimming, yachting, scuba diving and kayaking for a fixed fee.

Apart from teaching those interested, the club will take free classes in scuba diving and swimming for children of local fishermen in order to make them self-reliant. These children can even double up as local coast guards at a later stage.Kovalam, Fort Kochi and Bekal were the coastal tourism hot spots in Kerala until 2011. K R Subash, president, Vypin block panchayat believes untouched beach spots in the district can offer domestic and international tourists a great break.

We have managed to develop the area as a local activity centre, inviting kite festivals, sports club and ecotourism melas, etc. Seeing our success, neighbouring coastal towns too have started organizing tourism-related activities," said Subash.

The Nayarambalam Village Beach Ecotourism Development Society in Vypin has been conducting tourism mela in April for the past three years.

Pallathamkulangara (30 km from Kochi) recently received Rs 46 lakh from the DTPC to develop Kuzhupilly beach in the area as a tourism destination. "The recognition is a great boost to our endeavours. We have been organizing a tourism seminar for the second consecutive year now, and local management students have been taking an active interest in it. Our aim is to make local citizens aware of the opportunities in tourism," said PJ Anirudhan, chairman, Panchayat Development Standing Committee.

It has been planned to develop the Kuzhupilly beach on the model of the Marina Beach in Chennai, Anirudhan told TOI.

Navy to take back 'Sea-Hawk' aircraft at Changampuzha Park

Decision to shift 'Sea-Hawk' from Changampuzha park withdrawn

Navy to maintain the obsolete aircraft installed in the park

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cc: Manorama

A haven of peace (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/article3347038.ece)
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Thattekad is no stranger to visitors. Located about 60 km from Kochi, the town nestled along the banks of the Periyar River receives both a variety of migrant birds and avid birders from different parts of the world.

The renowned Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (now partially closed) is a haven for bird watching. Frogmouths, hornbills, drongos, minivets… you will spot these and more at Thattekad. The birding season in Thattekad runs between mid-August and February, with monsoon setting in during May, June and July.

The eco resort was located on the banks of Periyar river and amidst lush vegetation. Cormorants and kingfishers perched themselves on the dead branches protruding out on the river provided entertainment. Our expert guide took us hiking to Irulanthanny amidst the woods.

The highlight was sighting a frogmouth so well camouflaged that it looked like a piece of deadwood and learning that a racket-tailed drongo could mimic over 20 different sounds. If this was off-season, I wonder how many more birds I could have seen during the peak season! Thattekad is an ideal destination for a variety of tourists.

Seaplanes in Kochi backwaters soon (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/From-Kumarakom-to-Munnar-on-a-seaplane/articleshow/12903895.cms) :)
For tourists who would want an extended siesta on Kerala's languid backwaters and still share a Kodak moment with the elusive Nilgiri Tahr at Top Station, here is some good news. Soon, seaplanes will take off from the backwaters in Kochi, Alappuzha and Kozhikode ferrying tourists to hilly enclaves like Munnar and Wayanad.

"The idea is to attract tourists who are now unable to complete their trip by road and rail, due to paucity of time and the distances involved. Today, it is difficult for the average tourist to see all the beautiful destinations right from north to south of Kerala in the span of a week," KM Chandrasekhar, vice-chairman of state planning board, told TOI.

Seaplanes are fixed wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water as well as land. Eight to 12-seater seaplanes are extensively used to carry tourists in countries like Maldives, Sri Lanka and Canada which are blessed with expansive inland water bodies.

Kerala State Infrastructure Development Corporation will now start developing facilities like jetties and small airstrips in select destinations across Kerala. The Rs 80-crore project will have a public-private partnership. "The KSIDC along with Kerala Tourism Development Corporation is preparing a project report, looking at business and tourism viability of each destination," a senior official involved with the project said.

State officials revealed that they have to take into consideration factors like aviation safety and flying expertise as many water bodies in Kerala are situated amidst thickly wooded areas and landing in water would be also be difficult because of tree stumps submerged under water.

"Kerala has a beautiful coastline and backwaters that are ideal for plying seaplanes. But our tourism industry has yet to take off like Goa because of bad roads and transport facilities. The seaplanes may reach out to destinations which were previously inaccessible to tourists," the official said.

Marine Drive to wear a new look soon

New boat jetties planned along the stretch

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Tour Agency on roll.... Thanks to DTPC-Kochi (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article3420823.ece)

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The Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is all set to begin a tour division to help tourists with their travel needs.

The agency also plans to begin conducted tours to various destinations in the district, said District Collector and DTPC chairman P.I. Sheikh Pareed, who mooted the project.

“Tourists would be able to book air and rail tickets through the agency, without being exploited by unscrupulous people. They would also be able to book taxi and tourist boat trips. The ground floor of the agency's office will function as the front office for this, while the administrative block would be shifted to the upper floor,” he said.

Information counter

Though the KTDC used to organise conducted tours in buses and boats, the service is now confined to boats. With funds from Kerala Tourism getting delayed, the DTPC intends to begin the tour division using its own funds. “Domestic tourists too can reserve air and rail tickets online. We also intend to open an information counter,” said DTPC secretary T.N. Jayasankar.

The agency would have tie-ups with taxi operators and their panel is being readied.

The DTPC would get a nominal amount as commission from the tour operations, so that it is richer by around Rs.80,000 per month. There would be four counters in the agency's office.

“The Collector mooted the idea since agencies in the public sector are not offering such a wide range of services to tourists. Many tourists are exploited by private players in the absence of standardised norms. We would be able to ensure the safety and security of tourists who book tours through us,” Mr. Jayasankar said.

Tariff regulation

The DTPC also plans to classify the tourist boats that operate in the district, mainly from Marine Drive. This would be based on the facilities offered in each vessel. The tariff for hourly cruises will be regulated to prevent guests from being cheated, he said.

Kerala Tourism is yet to standardise the operation of boats, despite major accidents like the one at Thekkady involving a tourist boat. In the long run, the DTPC's aim is to enhance the quality of tourism amenities in Ernakulam district

New walkway at Central Park, Panampilly Nagar (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article3424530.ece)
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A new walkway has been developed in Central Park for the elders.

“A society grows great when old men plant trees under whose shade they know they shall never sit in,” goes an old Greek proverb. Turning the adage around, the Panampilly Nagar Welfare Association (PNWA) has initiated the renovation of the Central Park into a space dedicated exclusively to the senior citizens of the area. The park was inaugurated by N. Venugopal, Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), Chairman, on Monday.

A new walkway has been developed in the park for the elders to take a leisurely stroll. The footpath, paved with interlocking tiles, is 200 metres long and 2 metres wide. “A park for the elderly is a great venture as it helps them take a stroll and provide a lung space for them. The senior citizens live in concrete jungles that are highly polluted and congested,” said Mr. Venugopal.

“This place looks serene and peaceful as it is away from hustle and bustle of the city. We come to the children's park, right opposite, with our grandchildren. From now, spending some time here would be a delightful idea,” said P. Damodaran, 65 and Latha Damodaran, 56.

Panampilly Nagar, once a fallow and slushy area, is now a crowded locality with swarming people and crawling traffic.

This made it difficult for senior citizens to go for their daily walks.

“We are weighed down by the pains and aches of old age and find it extremely difficult to walk through the busy streets, in fear of being hit by vehicles. The new park looks green and peaceful. I wouldn't mind changing my route,” said 81-year-old N.G.K. Menon, a retired engineer of the Cochin Shipyard.

“We spent around Rs 4 lakh to build the walkway and renovate the park,” said George P. Korah, secretary, PNWA. “This will be a space for the senior citizens to spend quality time and will also promote togetherness,” said Mr. Korah. The Panampilly Nagar Welfare Association has around 2,000 households as members. George Vallakkalil, Secretary, GCDA; Bhama Padmanabhan and Suja Roy, Councillors; V. Gopalakrishna Pillai, Senior Town Planner; Mariamma Mammen, president, PNWA; and T.B. Venugopal, joint secretary; were among those who attended the inaugural ceremony.

Malippuram Aqua Tourism Centre awaits big development

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Aqua Rider at Ernakulam Children's Park

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New beach formation at Kuzhupilly

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New beach formation at Kuzhupilly

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This would be Nature's reply to foolish thoughts of famous Singer who believes his loss of his native beach attributes to dredging of Kochi..... If Fort Kochi lost much of its beachline, God regifted back more in form of 2 new beaches for Kochi..... And Kuzhupilly is one of new after Puthuvypeen Beach.

There was report in Times today, why many of beaches like Cherai etc not picking up. I would primarily attribute, lack of proper marketing and support facilities like more wider roads, more activities etc. I still find people making in large numbers to Fort Kochi Beach, which is just a small sand bar now.... But there was lot of marketing done for Fort Kochi in past and lot of activities in form of sightseeing, making the beach still tourist's favourite. This is missing for Northern Islands......

Once Muziris Circuit gets fully commissioned and properly marked, I feel these beaches of North will see its due.....

Cherai beach sees 20% uptick in tourist arrivals (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/cherai-beach-sees-20-uptick-in-tourist-arrivals/477222/)
A sharp increase in the inflow of tourists, especially from West Asia, is brightening the business prospects of Cherai beach, a beach tourism destination in Kerala.

During last year, over 500,000 tourists, including 20,000 from abroad, visited the beach, as per the data available with Cherai Beach Hotels and Resorts Development Forum (CBHRDF). The number is increasing 20 per cent annually.

A major attraction of the location is that it is situated on the northern part of Vypeen Island and is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on the west and beautiful backwaters on the east.

Sebi Paul, president of the forum and director of Indriya Beach Resorts and Spa, told Business Standard that the Muiziris Heritage Tourism Project, which connects major tourism spots and historic monuments in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, would be a boon to the beach destination as this is in close proximity to the proposed waterway of the project.

He said that a major handicap of the area was the shortage of world-class accommodation. The number of rooms currently available is 500. Around 300 rooms would be added within the next three years, he said.

“Construction of big projects will not be allowed here due to the coastal area restrictions of the Union government. This is the major reason for such a serious handicap to the beautiful location,” he said.

The entire Vypeen Island has around 30 kilometre beach, and 12 attractive spots have been identified by the government and local bodies for developing as beach tourism destinations. These include Munambam, Kuzhuppilly, Raktheswari beach, Convent beach, Chathangad, Edavanakkad and Puthuvype.

The forum has urged the government to develop all these destinations which are suitable for beach-based tourism and water sports. The development of such a chain of beaches will attract more tourists to Vypeen Island. The service of tourism police should be provided here in order to help tourists as more than 10,000 people come to Cherai beach on the weekends and on public holidays.

The forum has also demanded that road connectivity be provided to the area. The beach road that connects Puthyvype on the south and Munambam on the north has been completed on some stretches only. Seby said that the construction of the beach road should be completed at the earliest which gives access from the south and north to the various beaches of the island.

The forum, in association with the Pallippuram village panchayat, will organise a seminar on the development of Cherai on June 29.

MV Vinoj, a tourism consultant, told Business Standard that the Muziris project would provide a big leap to the tourism sector of central Kerala and would give a good chance to the Cherai beach. The absence of collective marketing is a big handicap to the area. Some resorts like Indriya promote the place individually in the Gulf region and Europe.

He said that the number of non-resident Keralites (NRKs) who buys land and building homes is on the increase since the last five to six years.

Of late, the arrival of tourists from the Gulf region is on the increase. Around 100 activities like fishing, site-seeing and water sports had been identified by the forum for promotion of the beach. The Muziris project, which is on an advanced stage of commissioning, connects historic monuments like Paliyam Palace at Chendamangalam, Sri Krishna Swami Temple , Jewish Synagogue and Kottackavu Church, Vinoj said.

“The Phase-I of the Rs 500-crore initiative will be launched in the September–October period,” said VD Satheeshan, MLA of north Paravoor Assembly segment. Work on the project is now in an advanced stage and the construction of the Muziris Museum and various roads are progressing well, he added.

FORT KOCHI

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Courtesy: Shafeek PS on Facebook

Ezhattumugham Nature Village getting new face

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Master Plan for Bhoothathankettu Tourist Center soon

Convention centres planned in the project.

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26 golden spots of Kochi Tourism (http://www.uniquetimes.org/26-golden-spots-of-cochin/)

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1. Bastion Bunglow : Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667 AD, Bastion Bungalow get its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old, Dutch fort (Ernakulam)

2. Bhoothathankettu : scenic dam site with boating facilities is situated in a vast virgin forest. It is a popular picnic sport with Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary near by. (50 km north east of Ernakulam town)

3. Bolghatty : Bolghatty palace built by the Dutch in 1744. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin. Today it is a hotel run by K.T.D.C. The grounds have a small golf course & several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour & the sea (3 kms from Ernakulam by Boat)

4. Chendamangalam : This land was once the abode of the Paliath Achans, the prime ministers of the Maharajas of Kochi. Their residence, the Paliam Palace represents the architectural splendour of Kerala. The Palace houses a collection of historic documents and relics. (about 42 km from Ernakulam)

5. Cherai Beach : Cherai Beach offers a unique combination of sea and backwaters rimmed by lush green coconut palms.( 25 kms from Kochi)

6. Children’s Park : A high-tech children’s Park with Non-Conventional Energy Museum and Musical Fountain. The Children enjoy a lot with the facilities available here. (Ernakulam)

7. Chinese Fishing Nets : A legacy of the trading connections between China and India many centuries ago. The long rows of chinese nets silhouetted against the sunset present a spectacular sight of Cochin’s waterfront.( Fort Kochi Beach)

8. Chottanikkara Temple : Mother Goddes worshipped in three different forms – as Saraswati in the morning – draped in white, as Bhadrakali at noon draped in crimson, and as Durga in the evening decked in blue (13 kms from Kochi)

9. Dutch Palace : The Dutch palace or Mattancherry palace was originally built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma in 1555. It was later taken over by the Dutch who improved it through extensions and repairs in 1663. ( Mattanchery)

10. Hill Palace : The largest archeological museum of Kerala. Paintings, carvings, etchings and other trappings of royalty like majestic beds ,weapons and samples of epigraphy. (13 Kms from Cochin on the Ernakulam-Chottanikara route)

11. Historical Museum : Important scenes of Kerala history are portrayed through through Sculptures. Greeting the visitor outside is a statue of Parasurama ,the mythological safe who is said to have created Kerala. (6 kms from Ernakulam at Edappally)

12. Iringole Forest Temple : Iringole Kavu, a temple in tropical rain forest in the middle of a town (8 kms from Kalady Town)

13. Jewish Synagogue : The Synagogue at Mattancherry built in 1568 is the oldest Synagogue in the Common Wealth Countries. It was partially destroyed in the war of 1662, but was rebuilt by Dutch. In the mid 18th century the clock tower was added. (Fort Kochi)

14. Kalady : Kalady is the birth place of Adi Shankaracharya the great Indian Philosopher who lived in the 8th century. 2 shrines in memory of Sankaracharya – one for Dakshinamoorthy and the other for the Goddes Sharada. (Kalady, 45 Kms from Cochin)

15. Kallil Temple : A 9th century Jain temple shaped out of from a huge rock on a small hill in a picturesque surrounding. The visitor has to climb 120 steps to reach this rare historic temple. (22 kms from Kalady)

16. Kanjiramattom Mosque : It is believed that the mosque was erected over the mortal remains of a Muslim saint, Sheikh Parid. Another great Muslim saint, Baver is supposed to have prayed here and attained salvation. (Kanjiramattom, 30 km from Kochi)

17. Kodanad : one of the largest elephant capturing centres of South India. In 1977 the elephant capturing came to an end, but the elephant kraal and training centre are still there intact. (45 kms. to the north east of Cochin city and 12 kms. to the east of Perumbavoor town)

18. Kottayil Kovilakam : Kottayil Kovilakam at Chennamangalam, which was the seat of Kshatriya chieftains of Villarvattom is situated near the ancient Kunnathali temple. Chennamangalam is an important center of handloom weaving and coir manufacturing. (42 kms from ernakulam)

19. Malayattoor : A place of prayer and pilgrimage; made rich by the foot steps of St. Thomas the Apostle, who sowed the seeds of Christianity in this part of the world. (47 kms from Ernakulam)

20. Marine Drive : Marine Drive is considered to be one of the most beautiful part of Kochy city. The marine walk is the main hangout for the local populace as the view of the backwaters and the harbour from here is excellent. (Ernakulam)

21. Pallipuram Fort : Pallippuram fort was built by the Portuguese in 1503. It is one of the oldest existing European monuments in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold it to the State of Travancore in 1789 (This fort is situated in the northern extremity of the Vypeen Island at Pallipuram)

22. Parikshit Thampuran Museum : This museum features collections of the 19th century paintings , Pre-historic monuments , Old coins in a numismatic gallery,Scriptures in stone & Plaster of paris, Copies of mural paintings etc & the collection from the Cochin royal family. (adjacent to the Shiva temple in Darbar Hall Road, Ernakulam)

23. Santa Cruz Bascillica : This Roman Catholic church is situated near the St.Francis church and is worth a visit.It is a specimen of portugese architecture built in 1503. ‘Frescoes’and mural paintings decorate the ceiling and interior parts of the church. (Fort Kochi)

24. St.Francis Church : The first European church in India. Originally built in wood and named Santo Antonio in the 16th Century. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524.( Fort Kochi)

25. Thrikkakara Temple : The “Vamanamoorthy” temple has notable inscriptions dating back to the 10th-13th century (8 Kms. From Kochi)

26. Willingdon Island : A manmade island named after Lord Willingdon a former British Viceroy to india. Cochin Harbour, Southern Naval Command, Best hotels in the city, Port Trust head quarters, major trading centers etc. are situated at Willingdon Island. (Connected to the mainland by road-cum-railway Venduruthy Bridge)

European Museum may come up at Fort Kochi (http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article564001.ece)
Fort Kochi might soon get a European History Museum of its own to showcase its European connection.

Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar made the statement on the museum in the Assembly on Tuesday saying that the scope of establishing a European History Museum in Fort Kochi will be keenly pursued by the government.

The statement was made by the Minister in reply to a submission made by Ludy Luiz, Anglo-Indian nominee in the Assembly, during zero hour.

“Fort Kochi’s many historical sites like the St Francis Church where the tomb of Vasco da Gama is situated and the nearby Dutch cemetery and also its unique lifestyle, have to be treasured for posterity,” he said.

Speaking about Fort Kochi’s unique heritage, he pointed out that people greeting each other in Portuguese can be seen even now when one moves through the Fort Kochi streets.

Apart from the museum, the MLA also mooted the idea of a historical tourism map bringing out the heritage of the area.

A tourist and history-based map for Fort Kochi will give a peep into a rich heritage for the present and future generations, he said.

“The idea of a touristhistory map on Fort Kochi to represent the rich legacy and tradition of a bygone era, which has left definite landmarks in the Fort Kochi region, is promising,” said Anil Kumar.

“Fort Kochi has immense potential in view of its invaluable historical value and tradition.

The government is quite aware of it.

An amount of `2 crore has been released for improving the works of the antique church at Vypeen and `10 crores has been earmarked for beautifying Fort Kochi region,” he said.

CHERAI BEACH

Lake near Beach

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On the way to Munambam Beach

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MUNAMBAM BEACH

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AZHIKODE BEACH

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Nice pics there Biju :)

Adding pizzazz to the park (http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article576459.ece)
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Come Onam, and the open air theatre and gallery being constructed at the park in Kumbalangi tourism village will be ready to delight its visitors.

The park was recently renovated under the initiative of the Kumbalangi Model Tourism Village Society with the financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh by the BPCL Kochi Refinery.

The park near Kumbalangi bridge was envisaged as part of the Kumbalangi model tourism village and was opened a few years ago with limited facilities.

An open air theatre with a gallery, a playing area for children and a food court are the major components of the second phase of development. The construction of the stage has been completed and the work on gallery, with around 200 seat capacity is going on now. We expect it to be ready by Onam,” said Kumbalangi panchayat president Usha Pradeep.

The construction work is being carried out by Nirmithi Kendra as entrusted by the district Tourism Promotion Council.

Once completed, the panchayat has plans to organise shows depicting Kerala’s folk art forms at the theatre during weekends.

“Such shows will be an experience for visitors while it ensures income for artists who are ignored often. But a final plan in this regard will be made after the completion of the work,” said Usha Pradeep.

Kumbalangi Model Tourism Society president M P Sivadathan said Kerala’s ethnic cuisine would be served at the food court. He added that a conference hall and a craft centre have also been planned at the park in the third phase development. It will be implemented at an estimated cost of `10 lakh.

The society will also launch a cruise boat for backwater cruise.

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from mathrubhoomi

In an effort to spread green-low cost tourism, the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is all set to launch a unique tourism project. Called ‘Pedalling through Kochi’ in association will involve a one day cycling tour across various parts of Kochi.

“We will be launching the project by August 15. The idea is to promote eco-friendly tourism packages at low costs especially targeting the younger generation. The brochures and other promotional materials are being prepared. Once that is done it will be promoted through the various help desks of the Tourism Department and through our tour operation divisions,” said DTPC secretary T N Jayasankar.

The one-day tour package will begin from the Durbar Hall Grounds. Jankars and boats will be used through the tours to cycle to places like Willingdon Island and Fort Kochi. The tour will cover Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Willingdon Island, Vypeen, Fort Vypeen, Chellanam, Kumbalangi, Kannamaly and Marine Drive. The main focus will be on cycling through the coastal roads and historical sites.

The tourists will be led by a guide approved by the DTPC, while the lunch and resting places will also come under the tour package.

Apart for this a group of 10 or more can also opt for a customised tour.

This will include more far flung areas including Ezhattumkham, Boothathankettu, Anthakaranazhi and so on.

The package costs ` 1350 that includes the cycle rent and `450 without the cycle. “We are trying to get funds through sponsorship for the cycles. Then the cost of travel can be substantially reduced in the coming months. Only imported cycles with gear can be used as we are looking at long range travel. As of now we are looking at renting these cycles, which takes the rates up,” said the secretary.

from newindianexpress: http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article581775.ece

Sight-seeing cruise flagged off (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article3730674.ece)


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Visitors to the Fort Kochi and Mattancherry heritage tourism zones can now check them out by embarking on a sight-seeing cruise from the city.

The initiative comes from the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC). The cruise begins and ends at the Ernakulam Boat Jetty. In Mattancherry, guests will be taken to the Jewish synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth countries, and the Dutch Palace, which has a portrait gallery of the erstwhile kings of Kochi, and also some of the best mythological murals in India.

Once the boat calls at Fort Kochi, they will be taken to the St. Francis Church that was built in 1503, the first church to be built in India by Europeans. Vasco da Gama was buried here and a few years later his mortal remains were taken to Portugal. The Chinese fishing nets is another attraction. The cruise fare is Rs. 200 per person.

First cruise

The first cruise was flagged off from the Ernakulam Boat Jetty on Saturday by KSINC’s managing director Tom Jose. A KTDC official said that the KSINC’s double-deck boat Lake Palace will have regular daily trips to the locales, between 9.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and between 2.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. “The agency has agreed to spare another vessel - Lake Queen, which would begin service during the tourist season that begins later this year. Here, guests would be taken in a boat on a tour of Cheranalloor and other picturesque locales located off the city.”

The initiative is being seen as an apt example of how the two government agencies are utilising each other’s expertise for common benefit. The KTDC’s strength is its marketing network, while the KSINC has the expertise in operating boats and maintaining them. The KTDC’s regular sight-seeing cruises in the city were popular for around 30 years, till a boat that it operated was withdrawn from service over two years ago.

Sagara Rani

Further enhancing the ties for mutual benefit, the KTDC has agreed to market the popular sunset cruise and exclusive bookings of KSINC’s flagship vessels - Sagara Rani I and II. The cruises are a big hit, since they are the only vessels that can venture into the sea off Fort Kochi. The KSINC also offers exclusive dinner packages, where singers render gazal songs. Exclusive package trips operate all through the day. Henceforth, people will be able to book the tours from any KTDC office.

The others who were present at the flag-off function were the KTDC’s regional manager Manoj Kumar P.N., its central reservations manager I.G. Chandra Babu, manager of the Kochi reservation centre Manoj Kumar K. and the KSINC’s commercial officer Abdul Gafoor.

For details of the tours, call the KTDC’s reception centre at 2353234 or e-mail trckochi@ktdc.com.

This would be Nature's reply to foolish thoughts of famous Singer who believes his loss of his native beach attributes to dredging of Kochi..... If Fort Kochi lost much of its beachline, God regifted back more in form of 2 new beaches for Kochi..... And Kuzhupilly is one of new after Puthuvypeen Beach.

There was report in Times today, why many of beaches like Cherai etc not picking up. I would primarily attribute, lack of proper marketing and support facilities like more wider roads, more activities etc. I still find people making in large numbers to Fort Kochi Beach, which is just a small sand bar now.... But there was lot of marketing done for Fort Kochi in past and lot of activities in form of sightseeing, making the beach still tourist's favourite. This is missing for Northern Islands......

Once Muziris Circuit gets fully commissioned and properly marked, I feel these beaches of North will see its due.....


wat really happened at Fort kochi? during mid 90`s i visited there quite a few times.. i am really surprised that nothing like a beach is exist there now! wen it happened?

Kochi likely to revive the celebrated Indira Gandhi Boat Race (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Kochi-may-become-a-regatta-venue-again/articleshow/15453294.cms)

Come December and the city once again is likely to wake up to the rhythmic songs of invigorated oarsmen splashing through the placid backwaters of Kochi.

After a break of eight years, the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), buoyed by the increasing queries of domestic and foreign tourists, is making an all-out effort to restart the Indira Gandhi Boat Race. It has already submitted a proposal to the district administration and the tourism department to revive the boat race. Keeping an eye on the increased tourist inflow during the year-end, the DTPC wants to conduct the event in the last week of December.

"We have not been holding the boat race at Marine Drive since 2004. However, this year we want to revive it as we have got queries from several foreign and north Indian tourists, who intend to plan their visit to the city during the boat race period," said DTPC secretary T N Jayasankar. Kochi attracts the maximum number of foreign and domestic tourists between Christmas and New Year.

Incidentally, though the regatta was last held in 2004, the tourism department's festival calendar on its website notes that every year, from 2011, the boat race is held on December 28.

Meanwhile, the DTPC officials are not sure if they could hold the event this year. "We don't have funds to dredge the Marine Drive area for the race. We need to dredge up to 6m deep," said Jayasankar. From 1998 to 2004, the colourful water sport-cum-festival was held every year either in November or December at Marine Drive to boost tourism in the state.

wat really happened at Fort kochi? during mid 90`s i visited there quite a few times.. i am really surprised that nothing like a beach is exist there now! wen it happened?

Fort Kochi beach is more of History... Its just a tiny strip of sandbar, as the entire beach was lost due to Tsunami... But the Nature re-gifted back to Kochi, in form of 2 new beaches- Puthuvypeen and Munabam along with extension of Cherai Beach.......

Just like Fort Kochi, no more have any forts, it soon will feature no beach, where once Portuguese-Dutch fought one of the most fieriest European Battle outside Europe........

DTPCs dream: One-stop shop for tourists (http://http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dtpcs-dream-onestop-shop-for-tourists/283765-60-122.html)

In what would prove to be a huge relief for the thousands of visitors who throng Kochi every year, the Tourism Department is launching a full-fledged visitors’ centre in Ernakulam. The centre will be a one-stop shop to meet all the accommodation, transport and information needs of the tourists.

The centre is set to come up on the ground floor of the DTPC office. A Railway Reservation Counter, Foriegn Money exchange counter, Business Centre, Conducted Tours Desk, Reservation of Accommodation, Exclusive Booking counter for Homestays, Reservation facility for flights and cruises and ATMs are some of the facilities that will be made available at the Centre.
The Tourism Department is also planning to set up a Tourism Help Desk for Small and Micro enterprises in the tourism and hospitality services, at the centre.

“The state government has focused upon quality visitor experience in this year’s Tourism Policy. The visitors’ centre is a step in this direction. As many as 43 per cent of foreign tourists and 23 per cent of domestic tourists to Kerala visit the Ernakulam district. But we do not have any dedicated centre where we can meet the various requirements of the tourists or help them. It is after taking this into consideration that we have come up with the initiative,” District Tourism Promotion Council, Secretary, T N Jayasankar said.

District Collector P I Sheikh Pareeth, who is also the chairman of the DTPC, visited the area and finalised the venue. The construction work has been entrusted to the Forest Industries Travancore Limited. The Southern Railway has sanctioned the Railway Reservation counter which will be placed outside the DTPC building and funds have already been sanctioned under the MPLADS of Charles Dias MP, for the facility.

Kochi makes Astrology campaign as part of Tourism initiatives (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Kerala-to-use-star-power-to-lure-foreign-tourists-to-state/articleshow/16228256.cms)

For tourists planning a trip to the state, 'God's own country' has been for long the byword that has filled their imagination of a landscape draped in greenery.

But as tourism evolved into a full-fledged industry with government initiative, spiritual tourism found a lot of acceptance among domestic tourists, which was followed by the keen interest evinced by foreign tourists in Ayurveda.

But now, according to the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Kochi, even astrology (jyothisham) is attracting foreign tourists to the state.

With an eye on this segment of tourists, the DTPC is now planning to start a backwater boat ride for tourists in a luxury boat from Poothotta in Kochi to Piravom in Kottayam.

During the trip, the boat will halt at Pazhoor Padippura Mana, where over 1,000 years ago the legendary Thalakkulath Bhattathiri bestowed on the family the power to predict future with the help of conch shells.

Foreign tourists visiting the place can meet the family astrologer at the Padippura. The astrologer, using the name and date of birth of the visitor, will predict the future after spreading the conch shells on a block which is divided into many squares.

The DTPC will have a luxury boat that would take 20 tourists in one trip for the combo backwater ride and astrology tourism.

"Foreigners are interested in astrology. Many tourists who visit the state go to an astrologer to get an insight into their future and suggest solutions for a better tomorrow," said DTPC secretary T N Jayasankar.

The move is also an attempt to develop Kochi as a backwater tourism circuit.

According to astrologer Aroor Madhusdhana Panicker of Alappuzha, astrology is very popular among foreign tourists.

"In the tourist season, at least 3-4 foreigners consult me on a daily basis. They are curious to know how we predict the future and what is in store for them," he said.

The state government has already approved the Poothotta-Piravom boat ride plan and agreed to allot a luxury boat.

"We were supposed to launch the service on September 6, the day K Karunakaran memorial boat race will be held in the Muvattupuzha river at Piravom. But we are yet to receive the luxury boat. We should be able to start the service in a month or two," said Jayasankar.

Sources said that work order to build the luxury boat has been given to Samudra Shipyard, Aroor.

Kochi to have an Heritage House for its culture (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/A-heritage-house-to-preserve-Kochis-culture/articleshow/16404482.cms)

Under a tripartite joint cooperation agreement, officials from France will organize a workshop for the Kochi Corporation officials, which will help them safeguard the urban cultural heritage of Kochi.

The agreement between the Indian Heritage Cities Network (IHCN) foundation, Corporation of Cochin and the City of Lorient will initiate the programme soon, said Rathi Vinay Jha, chairperson, IHCN, Unesco India.

Jha said that under the plan of action for 2012-15 technical support which will help establish a heritage house in Kochi.

"We have successfully preserved a submarine-base island used in the World War, a tourist centre, an economic nautical centre and a sports centre without much changes in the existing structures," said Jean Paul Solaro, vice mayor, city of Lorient, France.

The agreement was signed between Kochi mayor Tony Chammany, Jean Pail Solaro and Rath Vinay Jha at the plenary session held at the summit. The them of the session was 'Conservation and preservation of socio-cultural engines of Kerala economy' in Kochi.

Its going to be Hop-on, Hop off boat services for Kochi (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Hop-on-to-a-boat-to-enjoy-Kochi/articleshow/16428919.cms)

Tourists who are tired of constant traffic jams in the city have got a reason to smile. The state tourism department has proposed a hop-on hop-off boat service in Kochi, besides a water taxi service from Alappuzha to Kochi.

The project proposed in the backwaters of Kochi will have initial stopovers at Marine Drive, Bolgatty Palace, Vypeen, Fort Kochi and Mattanchery. The estimated project cost for a fleet of five to seven boats, each with a capacity of 20-30 passengers, is Rs 20 crore.

"The boat services will offer maximum flexibility to the traveller," said tourism secretary B Suman. The water taxi service project, worth Rs 10 crore, is aimed at connecting Alappuzha with Kumarakom and Kochi. The taxi will be able to ferry 4 to 6 passengers.

Tourism department has also proposed heritage cruises worth Rs 15 crore which will connect Fort Kochi and the heritage destination at Thalassery. The route will cover Kappad, Beypur and Kanyakumari with stopovers at select destinations.

Kumbalangi- The Paradise on Earth (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/lifestyle/wanderlust/calm-kumbalangi-561)

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_horizonta_lifestylel546/article-images/KUMBALANGI2.jpg.crop_display.jpg

About 15 kms away from south Railway station in Kochi, a serene village with a rustic ambience has been living up to the ‘God’s own’ tag for a long time.

Travel guide Lonely Planet called it ‘Paradise on Earth’ and the Kerala government titled it the Model Tourism Village.

Easily accessible with continuous buses that ply this route from Kochi, the island village Kumbalangi is a perfect holiday destination.

What captures one’s attention here first are the numerous Chinese fishing nets.

The mangroves that separate the land and water bodies are home to prawns, oysters, crabs and many varieties of fishes.

The vast stretch of backwaters is also punctuated by the presence of numerous boat builders. Boating is a favorite activity of tourists who visit here.

A walk on Kumbalangi’s village road and trying out local cuisine are some of the best ways to unwind. One can also take glimpses of thatch making, husk beating and coir making.

Kumbalangi can also be experienced best by staying at the ‘homesteads’ set up at some of the houses here, that gives tourists a firsthand experience of the local cuisine and lifestyle.

GCDA takes up the maintenance of Sea Hawk at Changampuzha Park (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Greater-Cochin-Development-Authority-takes-up-the-maintenance-of-Sea-Hawk-at-Changampuzha-Park/articleshow/16732256.cms)
As the nation celebrated the 80th Air Force Day with traditional pomp and splendor on Monday, another war hero, a Sea Hawk fighter aircraft, which was used for bombing enemy targets in Bangladesh during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, stood unattended in an obscure corner of Changampuzha Park here. However, the aircraft would soon get a facelift, thanks to The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA).

GCDA has taken up the responsibility of carrying out the maintenance works of the aircraft. GCDA chairman N Venugopal said the authority had already awarded tender for the work. "The executive committee approved the project, and the work orders are also ready. Soon we will start the maintenance works," he said.

The aircraft which served on board INS Vikrant, was presented to the people of Kochi in 1999. Earlier, the park authorities had approached Indian Navy for support to paint the showpiece and to maintain it. But, the Navy declined the request and this led to the neglect of the aircraft. Following this, GCDA intervened in the issue and offered to take up the responsibility.

Meanwhile, the Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram informed that the aircraft would not be removed from its premises. "But the Kendram does not have sufficient funds for maintenance works," said P R Nair, secretary of Sangeetha Sadas after holding a discussion with K Balachandran, president of the Kendram.

Kumbalam emerging as a backwater tourism hub

Kumbalam, located in the city’s suburbs, is on the way to become a backwater-tourism paradise.

A slew of backwater-based projects proposed here are awaiting the State government’s administrative sanction. They include a sustainable, agri-village tourism initiative and backwater-based recreation projects. Also on the anvil is a venture aimed at promoting home stays in 40 coastal villages along the Kumarakom-Kodungalloor stretch.

“We will make a detailed presentation before Minister for Tourism A. P. Anilkumar and Minister for Excise K. Babu. A project report was submitted to the government a month ago,” said Muraleedhara Menon, former member of the State Committee on Responsible Tourism, former Director of Hydrel Tourism and currently tourism consultant for rural tourism projects.

He is spearheading the initiative to trigger activities-based tourism in the coastal village. The agri-tourism venture is aimed at promoting responsible and sustainable tourism in Kumbalam and the nearby Chellanam and Kumbalanghi villages. .

Marina for house boats

The recreation-based backwater tourism project has got four parts, the first being the construction of a yachting complex at Panangad with the help of sailing association. A mini marina has been envisaged nearby for berthing Kerala’s traditional houseboats, for which floating boat jetties have been planned.

“House boats don’t come to Kochi mainly because of inadequate berthing space,” Mr Menon said. “A plan is also afoot to make Kumbalam a boating hub, from where water taxis with a capacity of five to 20 passengers can operate. Roughly 100 such taxis can easily ply from here to tourist locales like Kumarakom, Alappuzha, Vaikom etc., reducing the travel time. This will bring about a revolutionary change in the tourism sector.”

Romantic pathway

Another initiative planned here is a romantic pathway with a celestial viewpoint. “For this, there will be a 1.25-km-long backwater walkway having a width of 2.5 metres. There will also be intermittent ramps having garden benches, from where guests can have a sound view of the Kaithapuzha Kaayal in Vembanad Lake,” Mr Menon said.

Coastal home stays

As an ancillary to the initiatives, plans are afoot to set up and promote 1,500 home stays in 40 coastal villages with the help of Kerala Homestay and Tourism Society (Kerala HATS).

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/kumbalam-emerging-as-a-backwater-tourism-hub/article4037103.ece

Kochi Jew Synagogue turns 444
ജൂതപ്പള്ളിക്ക് 444 വയസ്സ് (http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/localContentView.do?tabId=16&programId=1079897624&contentId=12673835&district=Cochin&BV_ID=@@@)

http://static.manoramaonline.com/ranked/online/MM/Malayalam/LocalNews/LocalFeatures/Cochin/120.jpg
മട്ടാഞ്ചേരിയിലെ ജൂത സിനഗോഗ്.

മട്ടാഞ്ചേരി . വിനോദ സഞ്ചാര ഭൂപടത്തിൽ മട്ടാഞ്ചേരിയുടെ കയ്യൊപ്പായ ജൂതപ്പള്ളിക്ക് 444 വയസ്സ്. 1568ൽ സ്ഥാപിച്ച ജൂതപ്പള്ളിയുടെ വാർഷികം മൂന്ന് നാലുകൾ ഒത്തുചേരുന്ന അപൂർവതയിൽ തിളങ്ങുമ്പോഴും ആഘോഷങ്ങളൊന്നുമില്ലാതെ സഞ്ചാരികളെ വരവേൽക്കുകയാണ് ഈ പൈതൃക സ്മാരകം. മട്ടാഞ്ചേരിയിലെ ഏറ്റവും പഴക്കമുള്ള കെട്ടിടങ്ങളിലൊന്നാണിത്. കച്ചവടലക്ഷ്യവുമായി കൊച്ചിയിലെത്തിയ ജൂത സമൂഹത്തിനു തന്റെ കൊട്ടാരത്തിനു (മട്ടാഞ്ചേരി കൊട്ടാരം) സമീപത്തു കൊച്ചി രാജാവ് നൽകിയ സ്ഥലത്താണ് പള്ളി പണിതീർത്തത്.

ജൂതത്തെരുവിൽ ആരാധനയ്ക്കായി പള്ളി നിർമിക്കാൻ രാജാവ് നൽകിയ ഉത്തരവിന്റെ ചെമ്പേട് സിനഗോഗിൽ സൂക്ഷിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. ജൂത സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ ശ്മശാനവും ജൂതപ്പള്ളിയിൽ നിന്ന് അധികം അകലെയല്ലാതെ നിലകൊള്ളുന്നു. 1662ൽ പോർച്ചുഗീസുകാരുടെ ആക്രമണത്തിൽ സിനഗോഗിനു ഭാഗികമായി നാശമുണ്ടായെങ്കിലും 1664 ൽ അതു പുനർനിർമിച്ചു.

സിനഗോഗിനകത്തെ തൂക്കുവിളക്കുകളും നിലത്ത് വിരിച്ചിരിക്കുന്ന ചിത്രപ്പണികളുള്ള ടൈലുകളും സന്ദർശകരിൽ വിസ്മയമുണർത്തുന്നതാണ്. കൈ കൊണ്ട് വരച്ച ടൈലുകൾ കാന്റണിൽ നിന്ന് കൊണ്ടുവന്നതാണ്. ഒറ്റ നോട്ടത്തിൽ ഒരേ പോലെ തോന്നുമെങ്കിലും ഓരോ ടൈലുകളും വ്യത്യസ്ഥങ്ങളാണെന്നതാണ് പ്രത്യേകത. സിനഗോഗിനോടു ചേർന്ന് 45 അടി ഉയരമുള്ള ക്ളോക്ക് ടവർ 1760ലാണ് നിർമിച്ചത്. ഹീബ്രു, ലാറ്റിൻ, മലയാളം, അറബിക് എന്നീ നാലു ഭാഷകളിലാണ് നാഴികമണിയിൽ സമയം രേഖപ്പെടുത്തിയിരിക്കുന്നത്.

1805ൽ തിരുവിതാംകൂർ മഹാരാജാവ് സ്വർണ കിരീടം സിനഗോഗിന് സമ്മാനിച്ചു. നാല് നൂറ്റാണ്ടിനിടെ നിരവധി ലോക നേതാക്കളുടെ കാലടിപ്പാടുകൾ ജൂതപ്പള്ളിയിൽ പതിഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ട്. പ്രമുഖരുടെ സന്ദേശങ്ങൾ അടങ്ങിയ റജിസ്റ്റർ ഇവിടെ സൂക്ഷിച്ചുവരുന്നു.

1968ൽ സിനഗോഗ് നാന്നൂറാം വാർഷികം ആഘോഷിച്ചു. കൊച്ചിയിലെ ജൂതസമൂഹത്തിന്റെയും അവരോടൊപ്പം സഹകരിക്കുന്ന മറ്റ് സമുദായാംഗങ്ങളുടെയും സുഹൃത്തുക്കളുടെയും സഹകരണത്തോടെയായിരുന്നു ആഘോഷ പരിപാടികൾ സംഘടിപ്പിച്ചത്. അന്ന് പ്രധാനമന്ത്രിയായിരുന്ന ഇന്ദിരാഗാന്ധിയാണ് ആഘോഷ പരിപാടികളുടെ ഉദ്ഘാടനം നിർവഹിച്ചത്. സിനഗോഗിന്റെ ചിത്രമുള്ള പ്രത്യേക സ്റ്റാമ്പും പുറത്തിറക്കി. ഇന്ത്യയുടെ വിവിധ ഭാഗങ്ങളിലും വിദേശത്തുമുള്ള ജൂത സമുദായാംഗങ്ങൾ ആഘോഷത്തിൽ പങ്കു ചേരാൻ എത്തിയിരുന്നു.

കൊച്ചി, മുംബൈ എന്നിവിടങ്ങളിലുണ്ടായിരുന്ന ജൂതരിൽ ഭൂരിഭാഗവും വർഷങ്ങൾക്ക് മുൻപ് ഇസ്രയേലിലേക്ക് മടങ്ങി. കൊച്ചിയിൽ ഇപ്പോൾ അവശേഷിക്കുന്ന് ഒൻപത് ജൂതന്മാർ മാത്രമാണ്. ഇവരാണ് സിനഗോഗിന്റെ ദൈനംദിന കാര്യങ്ങൾക്ക് മേൽനോട്ടം വഹിക്കുന്നത്. ജൂതരുടെ അവധി ദിനങ്ങളായ വെള്ളി, ശനി എന്നിവ ഒഴികെയുള്ള എല്ലാ ദിവസങ്ങളിലും സിനഗോഗിൽ സന്ദർശകർക്ക് പ്രവേശനമുണ്ട്. സമയം: രാവിലെ പത്ത് മുതൽ ഒന്ന് വരെയും ഉച്ചയ്ക്ക് മൂന്ന് മുതൽ അഞ്ച് വരെയും.

Bastion Bungalow to be converted to museum

Bastion Bungalow to be converted to museumBy Express News Service - KOCHI
29th October 2012 09:06 AM
The Bastion Bungalow in Fort Kochi would be renovated and converted into a museum, Cultural Affairs Minister K C Joseph has said.

The Minister was on a visit to the sites of the upcoming Kochi-Muziris Biennale here on Sunday.

Regarding the renovation works, the Minister said that the state had previously allocated Rs14 crore for conserving a heritage monument in each district and converting it into museums.

Since many districts do not have buildings with the heritage specifications, the project has now been restricted to four districts.

The amount of Rs 14 crore for the project would now be spent on the four districts.

The Bastion Bungalow in Fort Kochi is one of the four buildings selected under the project.

The renovation work has been handed over to the Kerala Museum, he said.

The upkeep of the building is currently under the Archaeological Department and has faced severe criticism over the years.

The Bungalow is estimated to be around 300 years old and is considered to be among the oldest in Kochi.

The Minister also added that the Cultural Affairs Ministry will follow up on the UNESCO-supported Heritage Conservation Project for Fort Kochi.

“The government will preserve the heritage status of Fort Kochi and it will help in achieving the UNESCO Heritage City tag.

All the heritage buildings in the city will be identified under the project and conserved,” he said.

The Minister visited the Aspinwall Company building which has been closed down for years now.

The bungalow and the buildings are now under DLF real estate company and has been handed over to the Kochi- Muziris Biennale Foundation.

The property, which now houses several artists and their installations, will be open for the public during three months of the biennale.

http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article1318057.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/here-commoners-walk-the-path-of-kings/article4090172.ece

Here, commoners walk the path of kings

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Morning walkers are making a beeline to the Hill Palace grounds in Tripunithura. With no other park or even a walkway available along the roads, the sprawling grounds of the Hill Palace is now the most favourite haunt of the residents.

The 52 acres of ground is covered with heavy foliage, with some old trees with thick trunks that give a woody feel to the place. And early morning walkers find it heavenly.

“It is as if we’re in some forest,” said Awathy, a regular walker at the palace and a resident of Thiruvamkulam. “We come here mainly to get fresh air and soak in the ambience.” Outside, the roads are chaotic. With no pedestrian walkway on the roads, it is difficult for a morning walker to feel safe from the traffic, said M. I. Andrews, a nearby resident and businessman staying at Irimpanam.

Mr. Andrews had been utilising this facility at the Hill Palace for the last three years since the palace grounds were opened for morning walkers. The nearby Seaport-Airport Road and the KRL Roads are full of heavy vehicles and this drives many walkers into the safety of Hill Palace Ground.

The walkers are allowed on the Hill Palace grounds between 5.30 a.m and 8 a.m. The pristine garden around the palace building is a beautiful sight too. However, the restriction around the palace denies entry near the main building. There is a path to be followed by the morning walkers and after the recent incident when the morning walkers found one of the museum doors open, the security around the palace has been tightened.

The Hill Palace staff believes the police are not comfortable with people visiting the palace before or after the museum working hours as the number of security personnel guarding the museum is less. There is also a demand for opening the grounds in the evening for walkers.

Police have become strict about morning walkers bringing their pass issued by the palace office. While over 400 applications for passes were processed over the last three years, there were around 50 regular morning walkers, said one of the Hill Palace staff.

But not everything is rosy for the walkers. “All these issues of security are fine, but the tarred road around the museum ground is in disrepair,” said S. P. Thantry, a former employee of the Kochi Refineries Ltd. The lighting is also poor, though it is better than what it was earlier, he said.

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Passengers from the cruise liner m.v. Aida Diva appreciate a giant crab caught by the villagers at the tourism village of Kumbalanghi on Tuesday. The cruise liner docked at Kochi a few days ago.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/jumbo-crab/article4142942.ece

Kumbalangi Tourist Village (http://www.yentha.com/traveler/show/111)
Kumbalangy is an island-village on the out skirts of Cochin city of Kerala State in South India. As Kumbalangy is close to the heart of Cochin city reaching there would pose no problems what so ever. Innumerable number of buses both private and KSRTC ply towards Kumbalangi. By road it is 45 Km.from the Kochi International Airport , 15 Km. from Ernakulam Railway Station, and 16Km from Ernakulam KSRTC Bus Stand (Govt.bus stand).

Kumbalangy is surrounded by backwaters. A ring of Chinese fishing nets literally encircle the island –village bearing witness to the rich aquatic life. An array of mangroves separate land from water providing a breeding ground for prawns, crabs, oysters and small fishes. The village which is 16 Sq.Km .in area is home to fishermen, farmers, labourers, toddy tappers and coir spinners all alike.

Currently, there are about 10 houses that offer rooms to visitors. This facility is generally within a residence, where two or more rooms with attached baths are set aside for guests. The per day charge is about Rs 950, inclusive of breakfast. Lunch and dinner are also provided at an extra charge.

Many people also wondered whether Kerala food would be palatable to foreign taste buds. The result, though, has been extremely satisfactory. The tourists sit with the host family and eat the same food they eat. They can walk through the village, watch fisher folk at work, fish themselves, go canoeing and visit the farms, among other things. They can also contact the panchayat if they require assistance.

The village is well connected by road to the mainland. Fisher folk and boatmen also demonstrate various fishing techniques for the tourists.Under the Kumbalangi project, Kalagraamam, an artists' village will showcase the traditional fishing equipment and handicrafts of the region.The Kumbalangi panchayat is well aware that being a tourist destination also brings with it greater responsibilities and are ready to greet all their visitors in the best possible way.

Courtesy: www.kumbalangy.com.

Tourists swarms in large numbers to Kochi...... (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/tourists-making-a-beeline-for-fort-kochi/article4244460.ece)

The beach and streets of Fort Kochi are buzzing with tourists this holiday season. Thanks to the Kochi- Muziris biennale, this year most of the tourists are from outside India.

The streets are already dotted with temporary shops and street vendors on either side. The Fort Kochi beach walkway has a number of vendors of ice cream and pickled mangoes tempting visitors with their items.

However, the beach is still untidy with plastic and other litter that are an eyesore. Amanda from London says, “The city is beautiful and I loved all the colour and energy in the place. It’s just the cleanliness that’s a little unpleasant.”

Another issue is the inadequate number of route maps and sign boards at Fort Kochi. Though a walk through the streets of Fort Kochi is an exciting experience, for someone trying to reach a specific location there, this lack of proper directions can be exasperating. Even the Kerala Tourism Department’s Information Centre is hard to find in the clutter of the shops in front of the Boat Jetty.

For art lovers visiting Fort Kochi, its streets are a visual treat with the freshly painted street art and installations of the biennale. Art students from various parts of the world are visiting Fort Kochi for this season. Despite the scorching sun, quite a number of people are making a beeline for Fort Kochi.

Tourism project work in final lap (http://http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article1493805.ece)

Thannirchal Tourism Project, which aims at bringing out tourism possibilities of Tripunithura, will be completed within six months, said Tripunithura Municipal chairman R Venugopal.

According to the municipal Authorities, the project envisages a commercial building called Town Square on the bank of Thanirchal Pond at Irumbhanam.

A children’s park will also be set up adjacent to it.

To attract more tourists to the park, the Thanirchal Pond has already been renovated by adding boating facilities. The project is being set up in an area of 1.65 acres with an estimated cost of `7 crore. The chairman added that during the first phase, the construction works of the Children’s Park, including the parking area and compound walls, have been completed.

“The construction of the park has reached its final stage. Renovation of the Thanirchal pond is completed. The work for installing a lighting in the area has already been completed,” he said.

He furthers added that in the second phase, the construction of the commercial complex will be completed. “The construction has already been started and it will be completed within six months,” he added.

Meanwhile, the authorities feel that once the project is implemented, it would add to the tourism potential of Tripunithura and the district.

“The new project is mainly aiming to attract the tourists visiting the while touring Ernakulam city. Moreover, the proposed project area has only half a kilometre from the Thripunithura Hill Palace. Later, the the Thanirchal Tourism project will be developed as the majour tourism project in the district,” he added.

KADAMAKUDY

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PICS:SAN (SANDEEP) PHOTOGRAPHY

Fort Vypeen turns a beauty spot of Ernakulam (http://http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Fort-Vypeen-turns-a-beauty-spot-of-Ernakulam/2013/04/10/article1537940.ece)

Come June, you can enjoy evenings at Fort Vypeen with better amenities. A beautification project initiated by the Department of Tourism to give a facelift to Fort Vypeen is underway and the work is expected to be completed in two months, according to officials of KITCO, which undertakes the construction work.

Even as Fort Kochi continues to grow as a much sought-after tourist destination, Vypeen, the next shore and a key heritage site, has been more or less lying neglected.

Major works include, construction of a lawn and a parking yard near the church, drainage system, widening of existing walkway for providing seating facility, handrails on the sides of walkway, improvement of pavement.

“We have so far completed 50 percent of the work and the remaining work is expected to be completed within two months,” said KITCO officials

Meanwhile, the District Tourism Promotion Council authorities have expressed disappointment for not having a role in implementing the project, though it was claimed to be conceived by the DTPC.

“We are not against entrusting the work with KITCO. What disappointed us is that the government did not even consider a project report prepared by the Nirmithi Kendra on behalf of the DTPC for the beautification project.

After being awarded with the work, KITCO changed the project components. The DTPC Ernakulam has to remain a mute spectator to a major tourism project being implemented in the suburbs of the city.

Even to know the project implementation status, we have to ask KITCO,” said DTPC sources.

Of the total project cost, Rs 1.6 crore will be spent by the state government, while Rs 50 crore is contributed by the Goshree Island Development Authority (GIDA).

The striking port city of Kochi or Cochin is a tourist's paradise.
Fort Cochi
Even a casual stroll through Fort Kochi located in the port city of Kochi in Kerala is enough to make you feel transported to another world and time. The architectural style of the buildings and the town layout easily make Fort Cochin distinct from other cities and towns of Kerala.

Bolghatty Palace
The splendid Bolghatty Palace is located on the Bolghatty Islands, in the Cochin city of Kerala.
Chinese fishing nets
The Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, located in the Kochi city of Kerala, make up a very popular tourist attraction.
backwaters
With coconut trees lining the pellucid lake waters for kilometers at a stretch …the backwaters of Cochin proffer one of the most enchanting sights to tourists.
Mattancherry Palace
Even though it is austere in its appearance, the Mattancherry Palace of Cochin has a quaint charm of its own. The credit for building this landmark monument partly goes to the Dutch, who captured Cochin city of Kerala during the pre-British period.
Marine Drive
Marine Drive is a beautiful promenade in Kochi (Cochin), Kerala state of India. The Marine Drive is built facing the backwaters of Kochi. It is a popular hangout for the local populace as well as the tourists.

Jewish Synagogue
The Jewish Synagogue in the port city of Kochi is the oldest synagogue in all the Commonwealth of Nations. Thus, it comprises the topmost slot in the itinerary of the tourists visiting the city.


Pareekshith Thampuran Museum
Pareekshith Thampuran Museum is a very good archeological museum located near the Shiva temple, on the Durbar Hall Road at Ernakulam. This museum boasts of an impressive collection of 19th century paintings, ancient monuments and coins, scriptures made in stone and Plaster of Paris, murals as well as memorabilia belonging to the Cochin royal family.


St Francis Xavier's Church
St Francis Xavier's Church at Fort Kochi was built in the year 1503, by the Portuguese traders. They came here with Admiral Pedro Alvarez de Cabral, via the same route taken by the legendary Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who landed at Calicut in 1498.

Willington Island
The Willington Island contains the modern port serving Cochin city of Kerala. The island is an artificial man-made island created from the sand dug out while deepening Kochi port.

Museum of Kerala History
Do not take the Museum of Kerala History in the Cochin city of Kerala as any ordinary museum. The significance of this 'live' museum lies in the fact that it recounts the history of the land through magnificent and informative light and sound shows.