India is a huge country where you will find many places for tourism. One of these places is Kochi, one of the most beautiful cities in Kerala state. It is located on the southwest coast of India. Kochi or Cochin city has a different importance from a business point of view. Kochi is popularly known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea", Kochi has the status of the financial, commercial, and industrial capital of Kerala. Kochi is a great tourist destination where there are very attractive and charming places to visit which fill the tourists coming here with excitement. Beautiful beaches, waterfalls temples, etc. add to the beauty of this city. Today we are going to tell you about the major tourist places of Kochi city where you can enjoy visiting.

Cherai Beach
Cherai Beach is located on the northern shore of Kochi. This is a serene beach where people come to relax and have a fun time with friends and family. A lot of people come here to swim in the backdrop of coconut trees. This place also offers a wonderful view of Chinese fishing nets. There are many huts on this beach where you can enjoy the cuisine of your choice after a lovely swim. Dolphin spotting can also be done on this beach. Many new resorts, as well as hotels, have developed in this area. You can also enjoy some exciting water sports here.

Marine Drive
Spend a wonderful evening with your travel partner at Marine Drive to understand what Kochi is all about. Here, you can experience the stunning beauty of the backwaters and get lured by the gentle breeze. After all, what can be more enjoyable than facing the vast sea and enjoying great food from the nearby stalls? One of the places to visit in Kochi for couples, there are many fancy restaurants on Marine Drive for a romantic dinner date. Marine Drive represents Kochi and is a great place to visit in Kochi.

St. Francis Church
St. Francis Church is known as the first European church in India, which was built in 1503 AD. This church is also associated with Vasco da Gama, the explorer of India. This is the church in which Vasco da Gama was buried after his death. The settlement of many attacks in ancient times in the areas around Kochi has also been done in this church. This beautiful European church has played a very important role in the history of Kochi.

Jewish Synagogue
The famous Jewish Synagogue of Kochi is also known as Cochin Jewish Synagogue or Mattancherry Synagogue. The Jewish Synagogue is located in the Jewish Town area of ​​​​Kochi and was built in 1567. The major attractions of the Jewish Synagogue include beautiful chandeliers, a brass prison pulpit, a clock tower, and hand-painted Chinese architecture. The Jewish Synagogue was destroyed by the Portuguese in the year 1662 but was rebuilt by the Dutch two years later.

Bolgatty Palace
The Bolgatty Palace is located on Bolgatty Island in Kochi. The specialty of this palace is that it is the oldest among the existing palaces built by the Dutch. It was built in the year 1744. The palace with its lush green garden is breathtaking. The palace has not been converted into a heritage hotel. The two-story palace is beautifully decorated. You can find an Ayurvedic center here. The famous dance form Kathakali is performed here every day.

Chhottanikkara Temple
This is the temple of Mother Bhagavathi. It is believed that the goddess is present inside the temple in the form of Mahalakshmi. It is believed that she solves all the problems of the devotees. It is one of the most popular Hindu temples in the state. The area where this temple is located was once a dense forest. It is believed that mental illnesses and evil spirits are removed from this temple. The patients are given lemons, neem, and chilies from the temple and it is believed that this keeps away evil spirits. Thiruvonam festival is celebrated with great pomp in this temple. It is like a huge feast.

Folklore Museum
Are you interested in knowing the history and lost culture of Kochi in one place? Then do not forget to add the Folklore Museum to your destination list for a day trip to Kochi. The museum is a repository of the lost glory of the state, preserving some rare artifacts such as watercolor on paper, oil on canvas, Kindi, etc. The museum is also famous by the name of Mrs. and Mr. George Thaliath and it is a family-run private museum. The most unique thing about the Folklore Museum is that you can sell your fine arts or antique collections here.

Willingdon Island
This island is the largest man-made island in India, named after Lord Willingdon, who was also the 22nd British Viceroy and Governor General of India. Here you will find good restaurants and hotels for food and accommodation. People from different cities of the country come to visit this island located just 2 km from Kochi city.

Sunset Cruise
Sunset Cruise, one of the places to visit in Kochi, offers a delightful view to tourists. Tourists can enjoy the sunset cruise on the waters of the Arabian Sea during a 2-hour long walk in the evening. The main attractions of the Sunset Cruise include Marine Drive, Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Willingdon Island, a view of Chinese fishing nets, Bolgatty Island, and Cochin Shipyard etc. in Kochi.

Ernakulathappan Temple
This is a famous ancient Shiva temple located in the downtown area of ​​Kochi. This temple is located on the premises of Durbar Hall Ground. It is built on about 1 acre of land. People come from far and wide to visit this temple. Various pujas are organized here. The worship rituals performed here are regulated by Vilavamangalathu Swamiyar. Devotees who come to pray at this temple get the ultimate 'moksha' in life. It is believed that Shiva is present in his purest form in this temple and this is the reason why people visit this place in large numbers.

Kathakali Center
Places to visit in Kochi Kathakali Center is known for dancing in the center of Fort Kochi. Domestic and foreign tourists come to this place to enjoy dance. The architecture of Kerala's Kathakali Center is worth seeing, which follows the Malabar style of architecture. Morning meditation (yoga) is also organized here. Apart from Kathakali, dance styles like Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohinattam can also be seen here. Drum instruments, Kalaripayattu, classical music, drums, tabla, violin, veena, mandala, string instruments, sitar flute, etc. are also the center of attraction.

Fort Kochi
The architectural influence of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British is visible in Fort Kochi even today. Fort Kochi has a rich cultural heritage and the buildings here reflect the city's past. Fort Kochi was granted by the King of Kochi to the Portuguese in 1503 as a mark of gratitude for the help received during the battle of Soumyagiri, Kozhikode. The influence of Portuguese, Dutch, and British styles of architecture can be seen in the construction of Fort Kochi. Some of the important places in Fort Kochi include Fort Emmanuel, Thakur House, David Hall, St. Francis Church, and Vasco-Da Gama Square.

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