What to do and see in Kochi (Cochin), Kerala: The Best Sights & Landmarks

December 23, 2021 Vergie Nakamoto

A blending of several small villages on the southwestern coast created the current incarnation of Kochi (or Cochin), where sunset strolls, sampling fresh fish from seaside vendors and boat rides through the islands just offshore top visitors' to-do lists. Art centers showcase the traditional dance, Kathakali. European influences are seen in the 16th-century Portuguese-built churches and forts, while the mark of early Chinese traders is visible in the unusual fishing nets dotting the shoreline.
Restaurants in Kochi (Cochin)

1. Sri Datta Anjaneya Kshetram

Swargam Road, Kunnumpuram, Aluva, Kerala 683102, Aluva, Kochi (Cochin) 683102 India +91 484 260 6121 http://www.dattaanjaneya.org
Excellent
89%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

Sri Datta Anjaneya Kshetram

Reviewed By suboyin2015 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

An excellent place to rewind your spiritual feelings, with cool , Green Fresh environment, near the river side.... lot of devotees, mainly poor people, who pray with closed eyes sincerely to achieve their wishes....., The Jack fruit trees out side the the temples, were fully covered and loaded with plenty of fruits, even on the roots, gives you a luxurious look...which will create a happy mind, on the first sight itself.....

2. St. George Orthodox Koonan Kurish Old Syrian Church

Pullupalam Rd, Near Lobo Jn Mattancherry, Kochi., Kochi (Cochin) 682002 India +91 99461 20597 http://koonankurishu.net
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 16 reviews

St. George Orthodox Koonan Kurish Old Syrian Church

The St. George Orthodox Koonan Kurish Old Syrian Church at Mattancherry town of Kochi (Cochin ) better known as the Koonan Kurishu Pally entered the annals of history following the oath taken by St Thomas Christians of Kerala in AD 1653, protesting against the the attempt to impose the hegemony of the Roman Church by the Portuguese . The Indian Church (Malankara Church ) was established by Apostle St Thomas ( Mar Thoma ) in AD 52. This indigenous Church of Malabar/Malankara followed the faith and traditions handed over by the Apostle St. Thomas. Saint Thomas Christians were administratively under the single native dynastic leadership of an Archdeacon a native ecclesiastical head with spiritual and temporal powers. Portughese arrived India in AD 1498 , were surprised to find the presence of St Thomas Christians in India, but Portuguese were unhappy that native Indian Christians were not under Rome . With the help of Portuguese army and Portuguese missionaries they started luring and threatening native Christians to bring them under Rome.They succeeded in their efforts in 1599 with the `Synod of Diamper'. The representatives of various parishes who attended the assembly were forced by Portuguese Authorities to accept the Papal authority. The Koonan Kurishu Oath of AD 1653 refers to the action of thousands of native Christians assembling before this church and taking an oath to preserve the traditions and rituals followed by them since AD 52 and resist the attempts to impose the Roman rituals among the native Christians. But the gathering was so large that hundreds were unable to touch the cross directly. They drew a rope from the cross, and touching it, publicly denounced the Roman Church.The cross bent under pressure and hence the name ‘Koonan Kurisu’. The event is described as ‘Koonan Kurishu Sathyam’ or the oath before the bent cross. Soon after the Coonan Cross Oath of 3 January 1653 the St. Thomas Christians were divided into Oriental Orthodox faction and Catholic faction . The Catholic faction joined the Portuguese, and the Orthodox faction stayed with their native Mar Thoma traditions in defiance of the Portuguese. The Koonan Kurish Sathyam of AD 1653 took place at this Church is the first attempt to resist colonialism and western invasion in India . Apart from the historical legacy the method adopted for the renovation of the church building assumes importance. The renovated church is built using clay to keep faith with the ancient architecture heritage. The use of cement and steel have been completely avoided and visitors from India and abroad are coming to the church to see the architecture of the building. The church located at Mattancherry , Cochin is constructed entirely of compressed earth blocks (CSEB). The distinct style with catenary vaults, arches and a dome evokes the past in a way, never seen before. The technique of construction was developed in Egypt, today known as the Nubian Technique. There are 13 vaults and a dome to complete the structure. Today, it stands as the second largest catenary structure in South India. The sacred alter is lit with sunlight that filters through the oculus and the space between the sinusoidal walls. The concept of domes, vaults and arches used in the renovated building has been drawn from early symbols of eastern Christianity. In AD 1751 Church was dedicated to St George with the installation of holy relics of St George in its altar , is another unique speciality of Mattancherry Leaning Cross Old Syrian Church.

Reviewed By E6032SVcharlest

A place with huge historical significance, surroundings maintained very well. A good place for meditation, prayer and to know about Syriac orthodoxy in India. The history of Syrian Christians in Kerala and their struggle to keep their faith is ignored by the mainstream media and government. There are a number of Syrian Orthodox churches in Kerala which dates back to the first century AD, these churches should be included in the tourism circuit and its history should be taught to student community who studies about the evolution of present-day Kerala.

3. Kerala Folklore Museum

Folklore Junction Thevara, Kochi (Cochin) 682013 India +91 70347 77499 [email protected] http://www.keralafolkloremuseum.org
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,093 reviews

Kerala Folklore Museum

Folklore Museum aims to provide art education to the students and helping to provide visual and academic knowledge to the art lovers, researchers and travelers from all over the world. Folklore museum is the only architectural museum in Kerala and the treasure trove of stone, wood and bronze sculptures, ancient terracotta, stone Age objects, jewellery, paintings, oil lamps, musical instruments, tribal and folk art, wood works, utensils, masks and traditional art forms etc. these are around 4000 artifacts from tiny to large size on display. This ethnic museum is the essence of the life and culture of the common man over the past 1000 years.

Reviewed By EGL0

An almost bewildering private collection of (in the main) high end cultural artefacts from musical instruments to Theyyam masks and costumes to oil paintings to puppets to antique Keralan front doors, well displayed and maintained over 3 floors in a glorious traditional Keralan teak building. Courteous, knowledgeable staff. 100R entrance + 100R for use of a snapshot camera. Slightly haphazard labelling of exhibits but fine for me - would have been overwhelming otherwise Glorious theatre on the top floor with a coffered wooden ceiling embellished with beautifully detailed paintings depicting Hindu deities and scenes from the Hindu epics. Small cafe adjoining. A "must see" for anyone interested in the culture / ethnography of Kerala. There is a shop but the sales staff are not pushy in any way.

4. Kerala Kathakali Centre

near Santa Cruz Basilica K.B. Jacob Road, Fort Kochi, Kochi (Cochin) 682001 India +91 484 221 7552 [email protected] http://www.kathakalicentre.com
Excellent
55%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,050 reviews

Kerala Kathakali Centre

Reviewed By Beena_Sarada - Mexico City, Mexico

Kerala Kathakali Centre explains the facial expressions in tandem with the various drum beats performed by skilled artists. If you go a bit early, you can see the artists applying makeup to their face.

5. Chottanikkara Temple

Ernakulam, Kochi (Cochin) 682 312 India +91 79944 40000 http://www.chottanikkarabhagavathy.org
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 554 reviews

Chottanikkara Temple

Reviewed By vinodn402 - Kochi (Cochin), India

Huge Devi temple. Pond, two temples nearby one compound. It's serene, nice to have darshan of Devi here, it gives you peace of mind and so many specialities of this place, worth a visit for once, then you will get to know. It's really a worth visit.

6. Sri Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthamba Mandapam

Kalady Village, Angamaly, Kochi (Cochin) India
Excellent
40%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Sri Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthamba Mandapam

Reviewed By knrmak

Near to Kochi airport. visited while going to sabrimala. It is a 8 storeyed building and inside it has the entire life story of adi sankara. Those who do not know about his life story, you can know a lot within 15 mins when you go to this place and see all the images and the explanation of each picture.

7. Iringole Forest Temple

Near Pattal Village, Perumbavoor, Kochi (Cochin) India
Excellent
43%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

Iringole Forest Temple

8. Vallarpadam Church

Near Vallarpadam Island, Kochi (Cochin) India +91 484 236 3952 http://www.vallarpadathamma.net
Excellent
60%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 195 reviews

Vallarpadam Church

Reviewed By JEDOLPHY - Chennai District, India

A nice holy place to visit for all religions. It is a very miraculous place of our Lady , who is believed to have saved a mother and child trapped underwater for 3 days .Dont forget to go to the top of the church for a good view of the city.This is my third visit to this holy place.

9. Kadamattom Chruch

kolenchery ,Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam, Kochi (Cochin) 682311 India +91 484 276 5045 http://www.kadamattompally.co.in
Excellent
47%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 45 reviews

Kadamattom Chruch

10. Paavakkulam Mahadeva Temple

Kaloor, Ernakulam, Kochi (Cochin) India +91 96776 38786 http://pavakkulamtemple.org
Excellent
62%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 52 reviews

Paavakkulam Mahadeva Temple

Reviewed By Trotter8116 - Bengaluru, India

The temple is located in Kaloor, Kochi. It about 15 minutes drive from Lussie junction. The Temple is simple beautiful... typical kerala style architectural temple, with superb wood craving. The best time to visit the temple is the evening. Its simply awesome and divine!!!

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