Discover 35 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Kochi (India). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Oberon Mall, Paradesi Synagogue, and Dutch Palace. Also, be sure to include Tirunettur Mahadeva Temple in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Kochi (Kerala).
Table of Contents
Oberon Mall
Shopping mall in India. Oberon Mall is a shopping mall located in the Indian city of Kochi. The mall was opened formally on 2 March 2009, though it was launched in 2008. The cost of construction of the mall is about ₹1 billion. It is built on an area of 350,000 square feet across five floors of shops. It also has office spaces and covers grounds of up to 6 acres.
Oberon Mall was developed and promoted by the Oberon Group of Companies, India. The mall is one of the busiest shopping avenues for the city of Kochi.
Wild Fish, a world-class seafood store from Abad Food Services which offers live, fresh and frozen seafood, opened their store in Oberon Mall. A fire broke out at Oberon Mall in May 2017 but no severe damage was reported.[1]
Address: Kochi, NH 544 Bypass, Edapally
Paradesi Synagogue
Synagogue in Kochi, India. The Paradesi Synagogue aka Cochin Jewish Synagogue or the Mattancherry Synagogue is a synagogue located in Mattancherry Jew Town, a suburb of the city of Kochi, Kerala, in India. It was built in 1568 A.D. by Samuel Castiel, David Belila, and Joseph Levi for the flourishing Paradesi Jewish community in Kochi. Cochin Jews were composed mainly of the much older Malabari Jews and the newly arrived Sephardic refugees from the Portuguese religious persecution of Jews in Spain and Portugal. It is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. Paradesi is a word used in several Indian languages, and the literal meaning of the term is "foreigners", applied to the synagogue because it was built by Sephardic or Portuguese-speaking Jews, some of them from families exiled in Aleppo, Safed and other West Asian localities.
The synagogue is located in the quarter of Old Cochin known as Jew Town, and is the only one of the seven synagogues in the area still in use, though the Kadavumbhagam Synagogue and Thekkumbhagam Synagogue are much older and are the three synagogues in Mattancherry. The complex has four buildings. It was built adjacent to the Mattancherry Palace temple on the land given to the community by the Raja of Kochi, Rama Varma. The Mattancherry Palace temple and the Mattancherry synagogue share a common wall.[2]
Address: Jew Town Rd, Kochi
Dutch Palace
Palace built by the Portuguese in 1555. The Mattancherry Palace is a Portuguese palace popularly known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala which features Kerala murals depicting portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi. The palace was included in the "tentative list" of UNESCO World Heritage Site.[3]
Address: Jew Town, Mattancherry, Kochi
Tirunettur Mahadeva Temple
Hindu temple in India. Tirunettur Mahadeva Temple is located at Vyttila village in Ernakulam district. The temple has two main deities, Sri Parameswara and Maha Vishnu. Deities having separate temple complex; Lord Sri Parameswara in the form of Sri Rudra and Maha Vishnu in the form of Vaikundeswara. Both deities are facing east. It is believed that Shiva temple is one of the 108 Shiva temples of Kerala and is installed by sage Parasurama dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It is believed that Vilwamangalam Swamiyar visited Thiru Nettur Shiva Temple and he had suggested the construction of the temple of Vishnu idol. Apart from the temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu; there is Sri Krishna temple. Deities in the Thirunettur temple include Ganapathy, Krishnan, Subramanya, Saraswati, Yogiswaran and Pamban Devan.[4]
National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom
Basilica in India. The National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom aka Vallarpadam Basilica located in Vallarpadam, a suburb in Ernakulam, in the city of Kochi, is a minor Basilica and a major Christian pilgrimage centre in India. Around 5 million people visit the Basilica every year. It is the most important Marian Shrine in India. People from all parts of the world irrespective of caste or creed go to the church to seek the blessings of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, popularly known as "Vallarpadathamma".[5]
Address: Vallarpadam Church Rd, 682504 Ernakulam
Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple
Hindu temple in India. Sree Poornathrayesa temple is a Hindu temple situated in Tripunithura, Kochi, the capital of the former Kingdom of Cochin, Kerala, India. The temple is considered among the greatest temples in Kerala and was the first among eight royal temples of the erstwhile Kochi Kingdom. The deity was also considered the national deity of Cochin and protector guardian of Tripunithura. The deity in this temple is Lord Vishnu, who is in the form of Santhanagopala Murthy. Lord Poornathrayeesa is known for his love of elephants. Hence more than 40 elephants participate in his Vrishchikotsavam. And most of the elephants are sent for the utsavam without a money return expected by the elephant owners as Poornathrayeesa is considered to be an elephant lover.
The temple is famous for its yearly utsavams or festivals. The main one is the Vrishchikoltsawam, which is conducted every year in the month of Vrishchikam (November–December), kicking off the Ulsava season in Kerala. This Vrishchikolsavam is the biggest temple festival in the world followed by the koodalmanikyam ulsavam iringalakkuda (Thrissur pooram is not an utsavam but it is a pooram so not counted as an utsavam) and one of the biggest major festivals in the world. It is believed that childless couples will be blessed with children on praying Poornathrayesan. Offering kanikka (money offered to the lord) to Poornathrayeesa in the most pure gold pot on thrikketta purappadu day (fourth day of Vrishchikotsavam) is the greatest achievement that a devotee can achieve. Visiting Poornathrayeesa who is present on top of 15 elephants during the grand procession of Vrishchikotsavam is also considered to be an achievement of a devotee.[6]
Church of Saint Francis
First European church built in India. Saint Francis Church, in Fort Kochi, Kochi, originally built in 1503, is one of the oldest European churches in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were moved to Lisbon and now located at Jerónimos Monastery.[7]
Address: Old Kochi, Kochi
St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica
Cathedral in India. The St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Cathedral Basilica is a cathedral in Ernakulam, Kerala, India. It was founded in 1112, and is also known by the names Nasrani Palli, Anchikaimal Palli or Thekke Palli. The church is the headquarters of the Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, which is the Primatal See of the Syro-Malabar Church.[8]
Address: High Court Junction, Marine Dr, Kochi
Hill Palace
Museum in India. Hill Palace is an archaeological museum and palace located in the Tripunithura neighbourhood of Kochi city in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the largest archeological museum in the state and was the imperial administrative office and official residence of the Cochin Maharaja. Built in 1865, the palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style, spreading across 54 acres. The complex has an archaeological museum, a heritage museum, a deer park, a pre-historic park and a children’s park. The campus of the museum is home to several rare species of medicinal plants. Presently the palace has been converted into a museum by The Kerala State Archaeology Department and is open to public. The palace is about 10 kilometres from the city centre and is approachable by road and rail.
The Centre for Heritage Studies (CHS), an autonomous research and training institute set up by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala also functions at the site. CHS is designated as the 'Manuscript Conservation Centre' (MCC) and Manuscript Resource Centre (MRC) by the National Mission for Manuscripts.[9]
Address: Hill Palace Rd, 682301 Ernakulam
Mattancherry
City in India. Mattancherry, is a locality in the city of Kochi, India. It is about 9 km south-west from the city center. It is said that the name Mattancherry comes from "Ancherry Mattom", a ''Namboodiri illam'' which the foreign traders then pronounced it as Matt-Ancherry, gradually became Mattancherry. The place where erstwhile 'Ancherry Mattom' located is now a Tamil Brahmin settlement.[10]
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
Stately basilica with Portuguese origins. The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica at Fort Kochi, Kochi is one of the nine Basilicas in Kerala. Counted as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala, this church is one of the finest and most impressive churches in India and visited by tourists the whole year round. It is a place of devotion as well as a center of historic significance, endowed with architectural and artistic grandeur and colours of the gothic style.
The basilica serves as the Cathedral church of the Diocese of Cochin.
It was built originally by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558, was spared by the Dutch conquerors who destroyed many Catholic buildings. Later the British demolished the structure and João Gomes Ferreira commissioned a new building in 1887. Consecrated in 1905, Santa Cruz was proclaimed a Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984.[11]
Address: Bastian St, 682001 Kochi
Kochi Marina
Marina in India. The Kochi International Marina is a marina in the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. It is located in the eastern coast of the Bolgatty Island, in the premises of the Bolgatty Palace, a 'heritage hotel'.
The Kochi Marina is the only international marina in India. It is owned by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. The marina provides berthing facility for yachts and also offers services like fuel, water, electricity and sewage pump-outs for boats. The marina is close to the international maritime route at the south west coast of the Indian Peninsula, with favourable conditions and minimum tidal variations throughout the year.[12]
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Verapoly
The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Verapoly is a Roman Catholic archdiocese belonging to the Latin Catholics of Malabar of the Latin Church, headquartered at the city of Cochin, in the south Indian state of Kerala. The archdiocese has administrative control over the suffragan dioceses of Calicut, Cochin, Kannur, Kottapuram, Sultanpet and Vijayapuram. The headquarters is located in Kochi along the Malabar Coast in India. It was originally formed as the Vicariate Apostolic of Malabar in 1657 and became a metropolitan see in 1886. Verapoly is the anglicised name of Varapuzha.[13]
Indo-Portuguese Museum
Museum in Kochi, India. The Indo-Portuguese Museum is a museum in Fort Kochi, Kerala, India.[14]
Address: Bishop Kureethara Rd, 682001 Kochi
St. George's Forane Church
Catholic church in India. St. George's Syro-Malabar Forane Church, locally known as Edapally Church, Malayalam: മാർ ഗീവർഗ്ഗീസ് സഹദാ പള്ളി, ഇടപ്പള്ളി) is a Catholic pilgrimage church in Edapally, Kochi, India. Asia's largest shrine to Saint George, about five million people visit it every year.
The church is thought to have been founded in 593 AD. It is regarded as one of the oldest churches in Kerala, after the seven churches founded by Thomas the Apostle in the first century AD. The church was originally dedicated to the Marth Mariam (Virgin Mary). In 1080, a new church was built adjacent to the old church. A nine-day festival is celebrated annually as part of the Feast of Saint George (23 April). The church, also a destination for non-Christians, attracts offerings of gold, chicken, and eggs.[15]
Changampuzha Park
Memorial park in India. The Changampuzha Park is a recreational park and a venue for various cultural activities in the city of Kochi, Kerala, India. Established in 1977, the park is situated at Edapally, the birthplace of the great poet Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, on the side of the National Highway leading to Aluva. The beautifully laid-out Changampuzha park is popular among children, elderly persons and others. It serves as a venue for several art and cultural programmes of importance. The park is maintained by Greater Cochin Development Authority, and houses the Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram. The park serves as a live monument to the evergreen romantic Malayalam poet, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai and houses a statue of the great poet.[16]
Ernakulam Shiva Temple
Hindu temple in India. Ernakulam Shiva Temple, also known as Ernakulathappan Temple is one of the major temples of Kerala, located in heart of Ernakulam, Kochi,Kerala,India. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is considered as the city temple, with the presiding deity as the protector of the city, as per local Hindu faiths and traditions. As per the common practice in Kerala, the deity is reverently called Ernakulathappan, which means Lord of Ernakulam. The temple is located within the Durbar Hall Ground. The temple history itself has deep association with history of the city and was one of the 7 royal temples of Kochi Maharajas. The temple is now under administration of Cochin Devaswam Board. The temple in its current form was built under active patronage of Diwan Sri Edakkunni Sankara Warrier in year 1846 and raised it level of a Royal temple in the Kochi Kingdom. The temple is built on 1-acre land. The temple is one of the major Shiva temples in Kerala counted along with the Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple, Kaduthruthy Mahadeva Temple, Vaikom Temple, Chengannur Mahadeva Temple and Vadakkunathan temple.[17]
Address: Durbar Hall Rd, 682011 Ernakulam
Chottanikkara Temple
Hindu temple in India. The Chottanikkara Devi Temple is a famous temple of mother goddess Bhagavati. She is a form of Mahalakshmi. She is believed to be residing in Chottanikkara along with her husband Maha Vishnu. The temple is located at Chottanikkara, a southern suburb of the city of Kochi in the state of Kerala, India and is one of the most popular temples in the state. In terms of temple architecture, Chottanikkara temple stands out to be an ultimate testimonial for the ancient vishwakarma sthapathis along with Sabarimala temple. Sree Mahamaya Bhagavati, the goddess of saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati is one of the most popular deities in Kerala and the supreme mother goddess in Hinduism. Chottanikkara Devi is worshipped at the temple, in three different forms: as Mahasaraswati in the morning, draped in white; Mahalakshmi at noon, draped in crimson; and as Mahakali in the evening, decked in blue. Goddess 'Keezhkkaavu bhagavathi' is believed to be Bhadrakali, in her fierce form or Ugra form. Bhadrakali, is a form of mother Kali, supposed to be born from the third eye of lord Shiva, to kill the demon king Darika. People suffering from mental illnesses and commonly visit the temple, as Chottanikkara devi is said to cure her devotees. Guruthi pooja is a ritual done at late evening to invoke goddess Mahakali. Earlier 'Guruthi Pooja' was done only on Fridays. But nowadays, it is performed every day.[18]
Address: Muriyamangalam- Chottanikkara road, Kochi
Kerala Museum
Museum in India. Kerala Museum at Edapally, Kochi, India, is one of the oldest art and history museums in Kochi. It is managed by the Madhavan Nayar Foundation, a registered Public Charitable Trust, established in 1984, founded by philanthropist and entrepreneur R. Madhavan Nayar. The museum was opened to visitors in 1987.
Kerala Museum has three galleries: the Museum of Kerala History, the Dolls Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art.[19]
Address: Salem - Kochi Hwy, 682024 Ernakulam
Marine Drive
Marine Drive is a picturesque promenade in Kochi, India. It is built facing the backwaters, and is a popular hangout for the local populace. Despite its name, no vehicles are allowed on the walkway. Marine Drive is also an economically thriving part of the city of Kochi. With several shopping malls it is as an important centre of shopping activity in Kochi. Major fast food joints, including Marrybrown, DiMark, Coffee Bar are present along the walkway. The view of the setting and rising sun over the sea mouth, and the gentle breeze from the Vembanad Lake has made Marine Drive an important tourist destination in Kochi. Hundreds of people throng the walkway during the evenings. The walkway starts from the High Court Junction and continues until the Rajendra Maidan. There are also several boat jetties along the walkway.
The walkway has three bridges: the Rainbow bridge, the Chinese Fishing Net Bridge and the House Boat Bridge.[20]
St. Philomena's Forane Church
Catholic church in Koonammavu, India. St. Philomena's Forane Church, popularly known as Koonammavu Church is situated in Koonammavu, a northern suburban town of Kochi City of Kerala state, India. This is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in India, built in 1837 AD. Even though the church is dedicated to the Virgin Philomena, Saint Chavara Achan's feast is celebrated in every year as the annual festival, a nine-day festival lasting from 26 December to 3 January along with Holy Christmas and the New Year. The church is also popular among non-Christians as a pilgrimage centre and this seventh Forane of Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Verapoly serves as the Catholic Forane Church of 12 churches listed below.
Goshree bridges
Goshree bridges is a system of bridges that link the mainland side of the city of Kochi to the islands lying to the north of the backwaters. It provides the vital road connectivity to the islands of Bolgatty and Vallarpadam and also links the western island of Vypin to the mainland. The bridges start from the northern end of Marine Drive between High Court and Pachalam.
The bridges are constructed by the Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA), constituted by the Government of Kerala. The construction was funded by the sale proceeds of reclaimed land adjacent to the bridge.
The foundation stone was laid on 29 December 2000. The first segment between Ernakulam and Bolgatty was opened on 29 December 2003. The segment between Bolgatty and Vallarpadam was opened on 10 February 2004. The last segment was completed on 17 March 2004 and the entire bridge is formally opened on 5 June.
The bridge is the only means road connectivity to the Bolgatty and Vallarpadam islands. The launching of the International Container Transshipment Terminal was made possible by these bridges. It also provides direct road connectivity to the city for the Vypin island and the suburbs to the northwest, which was relying upon ferry services earlier. Cherian Varkey Construction company was involved in its construction.
The new container road NH from Mulavukad will link the Malabar, Cochin, North Paravur with mainland.[22]
Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium
Regional Sports Centre, also known as Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium is a multipurpose sports centre in Kochi, Kerala, India.
The stadium is situated in 4 acres of land, the centre has the facilities for badminton, tennis, basketball, table tennis, swimming, billiards and indoor cricket nets.
This Indoor stadium has a capacity of 10,000 persons and is named after former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Indoor Tennis Complex has four synthetic tennis courts with modern technology. Indoor Tennis Complex was inaugurated in 2000 by Padma Bhushan Ramanathan Krishnan.
Table Tennis Hall has four tables with a latest Butterfly Robot with a capacity to hold 400 balls at a time. The stadium has a swimming pool with 25*10 meters.[23]
Vypin
Island in Kochi, India. Vypin aka Vypeen is one of the group of islands that form part of the city of Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala. Vypin forms a barrier island which lies between the Arabian Sea in the west and the Cochin backwaters formed by the various distributaries of Periyar river, in the east. The northernmost end of the island lies on the estuary of the Periyar river in Muziris, and the southernmost end in the mouth of the Cochin Backwaters in Kalamukku near Fort Vypin. The island is about 27 kilometres long and is connected to mainland Kochi by a series of bridges known as the Goshree bridges, which start at Kalamukku in Vypin, touch other two islands and then finish at Marine Drive covering a total distance of around three km. Vypin is 58th most densely populated islands in the world. Njarakkal is one of the most densely populated locations within Vypin.
Vypeen Fort was built by the Portuguese on the northern edge, the western coast of Vypin has the longest beaches in Kochi namely, Cherai Beach, Kuzhuppilly Beach and Puthuvype Beach. Munambam, at far the northern tip of Vypin, is home to the Munambam Fishing Harbour, the largest fishing harbour in Kochi. Puthuvype has become the major industrial hub in Kerala and the fastest growing city suburb due to the SPM project run by Kochi Refineries, an offshore pumping station of Kochi Port, the Puthuvyp LNG Terminal, the IOC Bottling Plant and the proposed Oceanarium.
There are ten lighthouses in Kerala, one of which is situated at Puthuvype Beach and is the tallest in Kerala
India's first international container trans-shipment terminal in the Special Economic Zone at Vallarpadam Island, designed to handle the largest container ships, was opened by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on February 11, 2011.
There are regular boat services from Fort Kochi to Vypin Island. In 2004 a bridge was built by the Goshree Islands Development Authority to connect Vypin to the mainland. The Goshree bridges also connect the islands Mulavukad and Vallarpadam.
Vypin is now a fast-developing suburb of Kochi City. Today, all the basic infrastructure of modern living is available in Vypin. Travellers from North Kerala can use the Vypin–Munambam state highway to reach Ernakulam.[24]
Thrikkakara Temple
Hindu temple in Kochi, India. Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple is one of the few Hindu temples in India dedicated to Lord Vamana/Vishnu. It is situated in Thrikkakara, Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. Located around 10 km north-east of the city center between Thrissur-Ernakulam highway, Seaport-Airport Road, Cochin University of Science and Technology and Model Engineering College, it is a centre of celebrations and a place of origin for the popular Onam festival. The temple is around two millennia old and is also listed as one of the 108 Divya Desams.
The main temple festival is during the Onam season, which falls on the month of August or September and is the most important event of the religious calendar here. The Onasadya or the Onam feast is held in a grand manner in the temple with people of various religions participating in it. After East India Company and Marthandavarma illegally annexed the territory from Kingdom of Kochi, the Onam festival was jointly organized by the 61 Naduvazhis (local rulers) under the leadership of the Maharaja of Travancore, till India regained independence. Communal harmony continues to be the hallmark of the celebrations, with people belonging to different religions turning out in large numbers for the Sadya in keeping with the spirit of the festival. Apart from Onam, the temple also observes important festivals in the Hindu calendar such as Vishu, Makara Sankranti, Navarathri and Saraswati Puja.[25]
Fort Emmanuel
Fortress in Kochi, India. Fort Emmanuel, also known as Fort Manuel, is a ruined fort located at Fort Kochi beach in Kochi, Kerala, India. It is a bastion of the Portuguese and a symbol of the strategic alliance between the Maharaja of Kochi and the Kingdom of Portugal. Named after Manuel I, the king of Portugal, it was the first Portuguese fort in Asia.
The first part of the present name of the location - Fort Kochi - comes from this fort. Fort Kochi is also known as Old Kochi or West Kochi, adjacent to Mattancherry.[26]
Durbar Hall Ground
Event venue in India. The Durbar Hall Ground is a popular location for various cultural activities in the city of Kochi, Kerala, India. The compound of the ground also has the Durbar Hall, which now functions mostly as an art gallery. The ground itself is used for various cultural programmes of interest to the general public.[27]
Address: DH Rd, Ernakulam City, Kochi
Cherai Beach
Beach in Kochi, India. Cherai Beach is a beach located in Cherai in the northern side of Vypin Island, a suburb of the city Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. One of the most visited beaches in the state, it is situated at around 25 km from downtown Kochi and 20 km from Cochin International Airport.[28]
St.George Orthodox Koonan Kurish Old Syrian Church
Church, Historical place
Address: Pullupalam Rd, 682002 Kochi
Mattancherry Bridge
Bridge in India. Mattancherry Bridge is a bridge in Kochi, Kerala, India. It connects mainland Cochin to Willingdon Island. This bridge was constructed in 1998; succeeding the previous bridge of the same name, which was built in 1940. The old bridge now carries only two and three wheelers.
The bridge is the first Build-Operate-Transfer bridge in Kerala. It was built as a joint project of the Government of Kerala, the Greater Cochin Development Authority and Gammon India.[29]
Ariyittuvazhcha Kovilakam
Ariyittuvazhcha Kovilakam is a building in Mattancherry in the Indian state of Kerala. This building was used to perform the ceremony of Ariyittuvazhcha by the Maharajas of erstwhile Cochin Kingdom. This is a state protected monument declared by Kerala State. The building is in the style of nālukettu. It was constructed of brick and wood and the ceiling is covered with burned mud pieces called "oodu". This building was opened only for the coronation. A cot in the locked room in the cottage, used only during coronation.[30]
Vypin lighthouse
Lighthouse in India. The Vypin Lighthouse or Cochin Lighthouse is situated at Puthuvype in Kochi, Kerala. Even though the current lighthouse started functioning only by 15 November 1979, the Cochin Lighthouse has a long history. The lighthouse which was functioning in Fort Kochi from 1839 was shifted to Puthuvype in 1979. It is the tallest lighthouse in Kerala.
Visiting Time: 10am-1pm,2pm- 6pm
Working day: Tue,Wed,Thu,Fri,Sat,Sun
Holiday: Monday
Entry Fees: 20rs
Now visitors are not allowed in this light house due to Covid restrictions. Govt has not declared reopoening date. Putuvype beach is nearby and is open for visitors. Last updated on 8 Dec 2021.[31]
Fort Kochi Beach
Beach in Kochi, India. Fort Kochi beach is a beach along the Arabian Sea situated in Fort Kochi in the city of Kochi in South India, Kerala state.[32]
Government Law College
College in India. The Government Law College, Ernakulam, also known as His Highness the Maharajas Government Law College, Ernakulam is an institution for undergraduate and post-graduate legal education in Kochi, Kerala, India. Founded in 1874, it is the first law college in the state of Kerala and also one of the oldest law colleges in India. The Campus is situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake and is near to Marine Drive and High Court of Kerala. Blanketed by tall and rare species of trees, its campus features a mix of old and modern architecture. The college is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam and is a recognised Research Centre in Law since 2010. The college’s alumni includes former Chief Justice of India K. G. Balakrishnan, Noted Indian actor Padma Shree Mammootty, former Defence Minister of India A. K. Antony, and former Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy. It is popularly known as Ernakulam Law College or Maharajas Law College.[33]
Krishnapuram Palace
Museum in Kayamkulam, India. The Krishnapuram Palace is a palace and museum located in Kayamkulam near Alappuzha in Alappuzha district, Kerala in southwestern India. It was built in the 18th century by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the Travancore kingdom. It is built in the architectural style of Kerala with gabled roof, narrow corridor and dormer windows, near the Krishnaswamy Temple at Krishnapuram.
The palace is maintained by the Kerala State Department of Archaeology and contains exhibits that belonged to the Palace and its former occupant, the Travancore Maharaja Marthanda Varma. It is also famous for a large pond within the palace complex. It is also said that an underground escape route runs from the bottom of the pond as a possible escape route from enemies.
Among the many Kerala-style paintings seen in the palace, a distinctly placed mural painting is titled "Gajendra Moksham" of 154 square feet (14.3 m2) size, which is said to be the largest such find in Kerala. It is placed on the western end of the ground floor of the palace.
The double edged Kayamkulam Vaal (sword) is also on display here. The palace houses, in its courtyard, one of the four statues of Buddha found in Alappuzha District.[34]