Welcome To Kochi
Kochi is the idyllic sea port city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Known by the sobriquet ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, this commercial and industrial capital of Kerala is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). Strictly speaking, Kochi is a small town. But, it has outgrown its original bounds and is now the general name given to much of the region adjoining the original town, which now includes Cochin, Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Ernakulam and many other nearby towns and villages. Kochi is situated in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala. Ernakulam is also the name of a town - the administrative capital of Ernakulam district - but, for all practical purposes Ernakulam and Kochi, generally, refer to the same place.

Kochi was once visited by King Solomon and the intended destination of Christopher Columbus, is called the Queen of the Arabian Sea. Its beautiful lagoons, lakes and greenery offer a lovely setting for a stay of a few nights. Long famed in the history books, Kochi (formerly known as Cochin) offered refuge to Jews more than 2,500 years ago. Be on the lookout for the Pardesi Synagogue built in 1568 and street signs indicating Jew Town. (Descendants of those Jews remain in the region.) Jew Town also is home to a number of craft and antiques stores. Most allow you to buy a large shipping container that can be filled with merchandise and then shipped back to your home.

The first European colony in Kochi was founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century, and their influence can still be detected. They were followed by the Dutch and, eventually, the British. The cosmopolitan mix of cultures makes the city fascinating. See the tombstone marking the original burial place of Vasco da Gama (his remains were later sent to Portugal) at St. Francis Church, and visit some of the city's other churches, temples and mosques.