Cochin- A Major Tourist Attraction

Cochin which is also known as Kochi now, is a city located in Kerala. Kochi or Cochin is famed as the Queen of Arabian
Sea, proudly displays its finest natural harbor which is one of the premium one in the world. This harbor was a center of the world spice trade for many centuries. Today this place is a prime place for tourism in Kerala. It derives its name from the Malayalam word ‘Kochazhi’ which means small lagoon. Here is a short list of some of the most popular tourist attractions of Kochi-

Chinese Fishing Nets- Chinese fishing nets, known as Cheenavala in the local language of Kochi, are fishing nets which is used for an unusual form of fishing. This form of fishing is used mostly in Kerala. It is believed that traders belonging to the era of Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced this form of nets to this area. This type of fishing net is only used in Kochi other than in China. Large numbers of fishermen use this huge net for fishing in order to earn their daily livelihood. The whole stretch of the coastline along Kochi fort and Vypeen are filled with this type of nets.

Fort Kochi Beach- If you are searching for some solitude place to spend some time of your vacation, you will find no other place in Kochi other than the Fort Kochi Beach where you can be left alone. The place is considered as one the most beautiful places in the whole of Kerala. There are a number of food stalls situated along the edge of the Kochi Fort Beach where you can grab some delicious delicacies when you feel hungry. If you have become stressed with the busy life of the city, you should certainly visit this place as it proves to be a perfect getaway.

Princess Street- This Street is a perfect place for looking into history of European settlement in India. You will find relics of some of the European architecture along the sidelines of the street. Different styles of houses like Dutch, British, French, and Portuguese are found to be built here. If you have a query of how these European homes looked from inside, most of these houses allow you a visit inside them.

Paradesi Synagogue- Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest active synagogue among the 53 members of Commonwealth of Nations, located in Kochi, Kerala. It was first built in 1568 and again reconstructed in some parts and enlarged over the years. The street on which this synagogue was built came to be known as Jew Street or Synagogue Lane and the surrounding place as Jew Town. It was called so because it was earlier used by the ‘White Jews’ who came from the Middle after being banished from some of European countries.

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium- Locally known as Kaloor International Stadium is an international stadium in Kochi. The stadium has a capacity of holding 70,000 spectators which makes it the third largest stadium in India after Eden Gardens and Salt Lake Stadium, both of which are located in Kolkata. Previously it was constructed as a football stadium, a number of international cricket and football matches have been held at this stadium.