Kochi Weekend Getaways and Attractions

[mohammedirshad06]

Kochi likely to revive the celebrated Indira Gandhi Boat Race

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.

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by thanseem

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........

[vjkrishn]

DTPCs dream: One-stop shop for tourists

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.

[mohammedirshad06]

Kochi makes Astrology campaign as part of Tourism initiatives

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.

[mohammedirshad06]

Kochi to have an Heritage House for its culture

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.

[mohammedirshad06]

Its going to be Hop-on, Hop off boat services for Kochi

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.

[mohammedirshad06]

Kumbalangi- The Paradise on Earth

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.

[Malayaali]

GCDA takes up the maintenance of Sea Hawk at Changampuzha Park

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.

[passionfruit12]

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...cle4037103.ece

[Malayaali]

Kochi Jew Synagogue turns 444

ജൂതപ്പള്ളിക്ക് 444 വയസ്സ്


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.

[psanthosh]

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/k...cle1318057.ece

[Prasanth_KCV]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle4090172.ece

Here, commoners walk the path of kings



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.

[Asskicker]

[Prasanth_KCV]

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/...cle4142942.ece

[Malayaali]

Kumbalangi Tourist Village

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.

[mohammedirshad06]

Tourists swarms in large numbers to Kochi......

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.

[vjkrishn]

Tourism project work in final lap

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.

[vjkrishn]

KADAMAKUDY





PICS:SAN (SANDEEP) PHOTOGRAPHY

[vjkrishn]

Fort Vypeen turns a beauty spot of Ernakulam

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).

[Joe S]

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.