Chinese Fishing Nets
Chineese Fishing Nets, which were introduced during the medieval ages by traders from the court of Kublai Khan. Located near the entrance to the harbour. These nets alone the backwaters are a fascinating sight
  
 
The St. Francis Church
 
Here is the oldest church built by an European power in India. This Protestant church was built by the British, and Vasco Da Gamma was initially buried here. The church is located at Kamalakada near Fortkochi beach. The Santacruz Basilica nearby, has some very beautiful paintings on the ceiling.
 
                                                             Idukki                                                             Top
A landlocked district , Idukki is one of the most beautiful districts of KeralaHigh ranges and wooded valleys are girded by three rivers - Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhyar - and their tributaries. The sacred river Pamba also originates from the mountain ranges here. As a tourist destination, Idukki is incomparable - forests, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spices & plantation tours, mountain treks, elephant rides and some of the most spectacular landscapes anywhere in India. Idukki has a large population of tribals, the main tribes being Muthuvan, Malayarayan, Mannan, Paliyan, Urali, Ulladan, Malavedan and Malampandaram.
 
The tribes of Kerala have unique customs and beliefs and maintain an ethos which is distinctly different from that of the mainstream culture. They are unique in their closeness with nature and relate closely with the dynamic Eco-systems of these beautiful mountain ranges.
Idukki can also claim its place in the sun in the world of spices. It was the pepper and cardamom harvested from these regions which put India on the map of the ancient world. The tradition endures to this day. Idukki is today the source of most of the world's spices. The turn of the century also saw huge tea estates coming up in Munnar, a hill station about 5000-6000 feet above sea level. The intrepid British planters wisely used the local expertise and the tribal knowledge to make this area a major source of tea in the world.
Tata Tea (makers of Kannan Devan Tea) carries on the tradition after the departure of the British. Their contribution to conservation of the fragile Eco-system of this region has in no small measure helped conservation efforts by the State Forest Department.
 
                                         Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary                                              Top
Idukki wild sanctuary is quite near the District Head Quarters at Kuyilimala near Painavu. The great reservoir formed by the construction of the Idukki Arch Dam and dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu offers beautiful sight to the casual visitor. Further the pristine forests and green hills around the area provide ample scope for trekking. In windy and rainy days elephants can be seen even on the road from Thodupuzha to the District Head Quarters. Unless offended these pachyderms wait on the road for a few minutes and give way to the vehicles. The Arch dam at Idukki, the
highest of its kind in Asia, attracts a lot of tourists. Further, the area is easily accessible by road, by being just about 100 k.m. From Eranakulam.
 
                                                 Kettuvallams                                                       Top
 
Kettuvallams are huge, tapering barges which were traditionally used to cargo rice and other goods across Kerala. It has a portion covered with bamboo and coir serving as kitchen and rest rooms for the crew. These boats are entirely built without the use of nails. Planks of jack wood are woven together with coir ropes and coated with a black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. Modern-day Kettuvallams called houseboats, carry finished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony where tourists can laze on cushions. Sections of the carved roof of wood and plaited palms open out
to provide shade and allow an uninterrupted view. Most of the boats are poled by local oarsmen. Some are powered by engines. Gliding on serene backwaters, visitors can witness an un-spoilt Kerala.
     
                                       Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary                                            Top
It is 16 km. west of Kottayam on the Vembanad lake. The Sanctuary teems with local waterfowls and over wintering migratory birds such as the Siberian stroks. Boats are available for backwater cruises in the lake. To stay and dine: Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakam Tourist Village, Coconut Lagoon Heritage Resort etc.
   
                                                        Kumarakom                                                    Top
 
A short ride 10 Km to the west of Kottayam brings you at Kumarkom, on the vast Vembanad Lake, a well known bird sanctuary, parrots, egrets, herons, teal, larks, fly catchers, wood beetle and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons. Every year hundreds of Siberian cranes come across from far away Siberia to roost and breed before going back. A cruise on the Vembanad Lake, gently rocked by the waves rippling to the rhythm of the swaying coconut palms
on the distant banks could be truly exhilarating. Preserving the old style, the beautiful bungalow of Albert George Baker at Kumarakom has now been modified into 'Taj Garden Retreat', a hotel of Taj group with modern living facilities.
 
                                                          Aranmula                                                     Top
 
It is 10 km away from Chengannur on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam route. It is a little temple town in Pathanamthitta District, surrounded by undulating green hillocks and girdled by the holy river Pampa. Its rural outskirts form part of the ‘Kozhencherry Gulf Belt’ and the modern concrete houses that one sees all around bear testimony to the affluence brought to the area by the Gulf boom. Aranmula is famed for its hand-made mirrors of polished metal called ‘Aranmula Kannadi’.
  Aranmula is also a popular pilgrim center with its Lord Krishna Temple and the annual snake boat races held in connection with the temple festival during August-September.
 
                                                           Kaviyoor                                                     Top
The Kaviyoor Mahadeva temple, which was constructed in the early years of the 10th century, is one of the oldest of the Mahadeva temples in Kerala. References are there in the Kaviyoor Shasanas of 950 A.D. about the gifts that were offered to this temple. But it is believed that the 'Darusilpas' seen around the temple belong to the 17th century. Thekekudi Cave Temple in Kaviyoor Panchayat is one of the rare cave temples of Kara. It is assumed that this temple is constructed in the Pallava architectural style and was built in the 8th century. Apart from
 
Ganapathi, Maharshi and Dwarapalaka idols in the Sreekovil, which are inside the cave, there is also a Sivalinga, which is about three feet in height.
 
                                     ST. Thomas Church Malayattoor                                              Top
 
Malayattur, 45 km from Ernakulam, is famous for the Catholic Church dedicated to St. Thomas atop the 609 metre Malayattur Hill. This holy shrine is one of the most important Christian pilgrim centers in Kerala attracting devotees in very large numbers not only from Kerala but also from the neighboring states. This famous church is situated at Kurisumudi, a verdant hill in the Western Ghats girdled partially by the river Periyar. Legends credit St. Thomas as having established about seven and a half churches in Kerala ( here half is only indicative of a church smaller in size.)
These seven churches were established at Kodungallur, Palayur, Paravur, Kokomangalam, Niranam, Chayal, and Kollam. The Malayattoor Church and the Tiruvamcode Church in the Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu are considered to be the half church. But some believe that the Malayattoor Church is one of the major churches built by St. Thomas and they argue that the churches at Kokomanagalam and Paravur must be regarded as one. The first Sunday after Easter is a very important day at Malayattoor. Pilgrims, chanting the name of the Apostle (‘Ponninkurisumala Muthappa’), climb Kurisumudi, the steep hill to visit the holy shrine. The Church has a life-size statue of St. Thomas and the imprint of the feet of the Apostle on a rock.
     
                                               Pallippuram Fort                                                     Top
Pallippuram Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1503. It is one of the oldest existing European monuments in India. The Catholic Church at Pallippuram is an important pilgrim centre.
 
     
                                                        Kodanad                                                         Top
Kodanad lies on the southern bank of Periyar river amongst the scenic beauty of the High Ranges. It is 45 Kms. From Kochi city and 12 Kms. to the east of Perumbavoor town. There is an elephant taming centre here. Facilities for elephant ride are provided here. There is also a mini zoo at Kodanadu.
 
   
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