Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Prime Attractions

Prime Attractions

Dutch Palace, Mattancherry
As one may surmise from the name, the Dutch were not the original builders of the Mattancherry Palace. It was built by the Portuguese in 1557 as a gift to the Raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma, partly as a compensation for a temple they'd destroyed and partly as a bribe to gain favors from the ruler.
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St. Francis Church, Fort Cochin
Fort Cochin is believed to be the oldest European Settlement in India and St. Francis Church was the first European Church to be built in India. The history of this Church reflects the colonial struggle of European powers in India, from the 15th to 20th Centuries.
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Willington Island
Named after the former Viceroy of India, lord Willington, Willington Island is connected to the mainland Ernakulam by road-cum-railway Venduruthy Bridge. An artificial lake that was made by the dumping of the materials that were dug out while Cochin Port was being deepened.
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MangalavanamKnown for its small bird sanctuary, Mangalavanam mangroves is situated in the Ernakulam District of Kerala State. Bharath Petroleum Company borders the northern and eastern portion of the area, South by Emakulam Railway goods station, West by Salim Ali Road 16 and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.
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The Pareekshit Thampuran Museum
An archeological museum situated adjacent to the Shiva temple in Durbar Hall Road, Ernakulam, the museum features a rich collection of the 19th century paintings, Pre-historic monuments, Old coins in a numismatic gallery, Scriptures in stone and Plaster of Paris, Copies of mural paintings and the collection from the Cochin royal family.
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Kathakali Centres
It is Kerala's very own, much celebrated dance drama. Kathakali evolved in the 8th century from 'Ramanattam' a dance drama created by Kottarakkara Thampuran, a great admirer and promoter of traditional art forms. Kathakali draws its theme from the wealth of Indian mythology and folklore.
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Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Though recently established Thattekkad is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in South India. A boat cruise from Bhoothathankettu to Thattekkad is an unforgettable experience through the evergreen forests nesting migratory and indigenous birds.
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Kodanad
Kodanad lies on the southern bank of Periyar cradled amidst the scenic beauty of the high ranges. 45 km to the north east of the city of Cochin and 12 km to the east of Perumbavoor town, it was once one of the largest elephant-capturing centres of South India.
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Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry
The prosperous Jewish trading community built the Jewish Synagogue in 1568 whose links with Kerala begin in Kodungallor (Cranganore) in the north of the state. The oldest synagogue in India, it was partially destroyed in the war of 1662 and was rebuilt by the Dutch.
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