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State: Kerala
District: Ernakulam
Famous for/as: Beaches
Languages: Malayalam, English
Best Season: Sep - Apr
Weather: Summer 22-35°C, Winter 22-25°C
Altitude: 0 m
Pincode: 6820xx
STD code: 0484
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Kochi used to be known as Cochin. This large city is in the Kerala state. It is at times referred to as 'God's Country', the Queen of Arabian Sea, and the Gateway to the state of Kerala. With so many catch phrases associated with this one city, it is easy to see how influential this place has been throughout the centuries.
Throughout history, the Arabs, the Chinese, the British, the Dutch, and the Portuguese have all left marks. In fact, Kochi is virtually one big cultural melting pot because of the various migrations that have occurred here over several millennia. This city was the first European colonial settlement in all of India. Over the years, Cochin has come up as the industrial and commercial capital of Kerala and it can be nominated as the second most important city on the Indian west coast. It is only surpassed in importance by Bombay. Today, Kochi has world class airport as well as an international port.
This beautiful city has the Western Ghats to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west. It is also located near the equator. These three factors all together help to make Kochi an outstanding place to visit.
Although Kochi itself is strictly speaking a small town, the area now resembles large metropolis that have many towns that have merged into one. Kochi now also includes Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Ernakulum and many other nearby towns and villages.
History
Cochin remained an unexplored town till the advent of the Portuguese therefore, much of its history before the Portugese has not been documented. However, the city finds its mention by the ancient travellers. It is believed that the Cochin district came into existence in the year 1102 AD, after the break up of the Khulasekhara Empire.
Various stories have crept up regarding the origin of the name of the city. While some believe that the Malayalam word ‘Kochazhi’ gave the city its due name, many are of the opinion that the invasion of Kublai Khan of China is the reason behind the name.
Kochi has known to be the first place in India to have European settlement. The Portugese came to Cochin (also known as Kochi) in 1503 and stayed till 1663. They worked closely with the king of Cochin and even signed a treaty of peace. With due permission of the king, they built the Fort Manuel. The grave of Vasco Da Gama, the famous explorer who discovered India, is also here.
After the Portuguese, the Dutch invaded Cochin, followed by conquest from Mysorean king, Hyder ali. The English came to Cochin soil in 1814 and under the leadership of Sir Robert Bristow Kochi became an important harbor center in India.
Post independence in the year 1947, Cochin was officially designated as part of Kerala and today as become one of the most important commercial hub and major city in the west coast of India. Kochi was the first city to join the Indian Union when it gained independence in 1947.
Hotels
You can find 175 hotels in Kochi under following categories:
- Kochi Budget Hotels (48):
Hotel Star Lagoon,
Bharat Hotel,
Luciya Hotel
- Kochi Medium Range Hotels (67):
Thani Illam Heritage Home,
Hotel Kallelys Park Inn (chalakudy),
Hotel Presidency
- Kochi Luxury Hotels (25):
Poovath Hotel,
Pristine Island,
Dream Hotel Hampshire group
- Kochi Resorts (13):
Ramada Resort Cochin,
Saj Earth Resort,
Green Lagoon Resort Eramalloor
- Kochi Hostels (13):
Casa De Forte,
Thomasinn,
Kovil Home Stay
- Kochi Homestays (9):
Kadavil Homestay,
Holi Nest Homestay,
Tantraa Homestay
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| Weather |
More Details |
Very Hot
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34°C
at 07:40 AM
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Friday
High: 28°
Low: 25°
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Saturday
High: 28°
Low: 25°
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Sunday
High: 29°
Low: 25°
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