Sriperumbudur
Vedic Village Willingdon Island Kochi
Known after Lord Willingdon who was a British Viceroy of India, the Willingdon Island is one of the largest artificial man made islands in India which is located in the city of Kochi, Kerala It spreads over an area of 775 acres This beautiful island is surrounded by beautiful backwaters of Kerala It is also home to the Kochi Naval Base of the Indian Navy, the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology and the Port of Kochi One who wants to take a feel of serene atmosphere and natural beauty may visit here and enjoy holiday with pleasure The island is connected to the mainland by the Venduruthy Bridge The ferry ride is loved by all and boat trips around the island give one a spectacular view of the place
It is also home to the Kochi Naval Base of the Indian Navy, the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology and the Port of Kochi It handles millions of tones of freight every year The island is connected to the mainland by the Venduruthy Bridge The ferry ride is loved by all and boat trips around the island give one a spectacular view of the place
How to Reach
The Willingdon is located at a distance of 3 km from Ernakulam Railway Station in Kochi. This beach can be reached by either a public or a private transport. There is a bridge linking the island to the mainland which has to be crossed to and fro for entering and exiting the island
Place To Visit
This was a gift from the Portuguese to the King of Kochi in 1555 hence the Portuguese architecture is very obvious as soon as you enter the palace It exhibits stunning Hindu art and portraits of the Kochi Rajas It is also called Dutch Palace
One of the best things to do in Kochi is to pay a visit to the Dutch Palace which includes Kerala murals showing exhibits and portraits of Rajas of Kochi The Palace was originally built by the Portuguese in 1555 and presented to Verra Kerala Varma, the Raja of Kochi, as a grand token of appreciation Later in 1663 additional restorations and extensions were carried out by the Dutch, which is why it is also known as the Dutch Palace
Marine Drive is among Kochi’s most beautiful beaches that is frequented by locals and travelers alike You can hang out here with your amigos if you simply wish to relax and not really do anything It offers marvelous views of the backwaters as well as the Kochi harbor, which is one of the many factors that makes it so popular and coming here one of the best things to do in Kochi, India You can also take a walk here with your better half which would be the most soothing experience of your Kochi trip
The Jewish Synagogue in Kochi is the oldest of its kind in the Commonwealth of Nations It is locally known as Paradesi Synagogue since it was mostly visited by Jews from the Middle East and Europe, who were deemed as foreigners or pardesi The synagogue was originally built in 1568 and later restored by the Dutch The synagogue has a gold pulpit as well as hand painted, willow pattern floor tiles that were imported from China An exquisitely beautiful Belgian chandelier illuminates the synagogue and the unique clock tower further adds to its charm
Watching the traditional dance performance is one of the best things to do in Kochi Kathakali is a classical dance form originating in Kerala and is quite well known for its fascinating and colorful costumes The dance form presents themes and stories that are derived from Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana as well as many other folk stories The Kathakali Center in Kochi runs regular performances as well as offers a backstage look at the artists as they prepare for the classical dance events
Princess Street, also known as Loafer’s Corner is widely hailed as among the oldest locations in Kochi, which is why it is often loved by tourists If you are looking for fun things to do in Kochi then you should certainly visit the Princess Street It offers the perfect amalgamation of traditional and modern world The influence of colonial heritage is strong here as you can see numerous homes and buildings on both sides of Princess Street that have European architectural styles, mainly British, Dutch and Portuguese The place is notable for cafés, street shopping, books stores, handicrafts and souvenir shops and vibrant people
Located mere miles away from the lively town of Ernakulam, the ancient Fort Kochi is where you can get acquainted with Kerala’s rich history, culture, and heritage through a guided walking tour This fort exhibits the traits of the different cultures of English, Dutch and Portuguese infused in its age old architecture, and is sure to bewitch you with its old worldly charm If you wish to explore this entire fort on foot, you can actually end up with a deep insight into its history, right to the time when it was built and what it was used for
Officially the second largest shopping mall in India (and the largest in terms of retail space), the Lulu Mall is one of the most visited places in the whole of Kerala With a total built up area of 2 5 million square feet, the mall hosts 215 outlets to spoil you for choice
It is often regarded as one of the most picturesque sights in Kochi Legends tell that these nets were originally brought down from the royal courts of Kublai Khan, the great Chinese emperor and introduced in 14 th century by Zheng He, a Chinese explorer to the local fisherman in Kochi You can also buy fishes from the fishmongers and get them cooked in some local shacks
