It is Situated in Kerala. In Kerala it is located in Cochin. Edappally, 13 km from Cochin, displays the erstwhile wealth and prosperity of the royal family of Cochin, including the king’s throne and crown. (Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM. Closed on Mondays and National Holidays.) Also on show are other trappings of royalty like majestic beds, paintings, carvings and samples of epigraphy. Tripunithura is also well known for the nearby Chottanikara Temple and the Tripunithura Temple.
Just 8 km from the heart of Ernakulam, the Museum of kerala History and its Makers, is the best place for a quick trip down the ancient lanes of Kerala’s history. Greeting the visitor outside is a statue of Parasurama, the mythological sage who is said to have created Kerala. Important historical episodes from the neolithic age to the modern era are depicted through life-size figures. A one-hour recorded commentary (in English and Malayalam) fro each scence offers a minor sound-and-light show.
Performances of kathakali and mohiniyattam are held regularly in Ernakulam at these centres: The Theosophical Society Hall, Pallimukku; See India Foundation, Kalathiparambil Lane; Cochin Darbar Hall. The Ernakulam Gymnasium puts on a performance of kalaripayattu.
Several important festivals (‘ulsavom’ in Malayalam) can be witnessed in Cochin. In January/February is the 8-day ulsavom at the Shiva Temple, Ernakulam, featuring a grand elephant procession and performances of folk dance and music. In November/December is an 8-day ulsavom celebration at Tripunithura Temple with a daily procession of 15 elephants and performances of folk dance and music.
In August/September is Onam, the traditional harvest festival, Kerala’s best-known, and one which is celebrated in every home. The state’s Tourism Week occurs then and in some places like Cochin, Kottayam Aranmula and Payipad, the famous snake-boat races are held. In Tripunithura, Onam is celebrated with a grand procession known as Athachamayam.
Not too far from Cochin is Alwaye, which is famous for its annual night-long Shivarathri festival of prayer and festivity held around February on the banks of the river Periyar.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Museum of Kodungalloor:
It is Far From 32 km away, was formerly also called Muziris. This was, in ancient times, a famed sea-port on the west coast where St. Thomas is supposed to have landed in 52 AD. It was also the capital of Cheraman Perumal, King of Kerala, Whose famous palace Allal Perumkovilakam was situated near the great pagoda at Thiruvanchikulam.
The area where the palace stood is called the ‘Cheramanparambu’. This, along with the ancient Thivanchikulam Temple, the Bhagwati Temple (Where the Bharani Festival is held) and the Portuguese fort are worth visiting. Also nearby is the Cheraman Mosque, believed to be the first mosque built by Muslims in India in 644 A.D. Adding to this religious amity is the fact that the Jews first settled here before moving south to Mattancherry.
To the South of Cochin is the town of Vaikom famous for its Shiva Temple. This temple was where the historically important Vaikom Satyagraha, which led to the opening of temples to the Harijans, took place under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership during the independence movement.
On the banks of the Periyar river is Kalady. This small town, 45 km from Cochin, is a pilgrim centre and the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya, the great 8th century Indian philosopher of Advaita Vedanta. Here are two shrines in his memory, one dedicated to him as Dakshinamurthy and the other, to the goddess Sharada, maintained by the Shringeri Mutt. The spot where Adi Shankara’s mother, Aryamba, was cremated is called Brindavan.
Nearby is an old Shri Krishna Temple, the family temple of Shankaracharya. Another, the Shri Ramkrishna International Temple, was built in 1976, with the hope that it would ultimately become a temple for all religious and an abode of peace.
The area where the palace stood is called the ‘Cheramanparambu’. This, along with the ancient Thivanchikulam Temple, the Bhagwati Temple (Where the Bharani Festival is held) and the Portuguese fort are worth visiting. Also nearby is the Cheraman Mosque, believed to be the first mosque built by Muslims in India in 644 A.D. Adding to this religious amity is the fact that the Jews first settled here before moving south to Mattancherry.
To the South of Cochin is the town of Vaikom famous for its Shiva Temple. This temple was where the historically important Vaikom Satyagraha, which led to the opening of temples to the Harijans, took place under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership during the independence movement.
On the banks of the Periyar river is Kalady. This small town, 45 km from Cochin, is a pilgrim centre and the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya, the great 8th century Indian philosopher of Advaita Vedanta. Here are two shrines in his memory, one dedicated to him as Dakshinamurthy and the other, to the goddess Sharada, maintained by the Shringeri Mutt. The spot where Adi Shankara’s mother, Aryamba, was cremated is called Brindavan.
Nearby is an old Shri Krishna Temple, the family temple of Shankaracharya. Another, the Shri Ramkrishna International Temple, was built in 1976, with the hope that it would ultimately become a temple for all religious and an abode of peace.
Museum of Malayattur
It is Far frm 47 km from Cochin, is famous for the Catholic church on the 609 metre high Malayattur Hill, dedicated to St. Thomas who is believed to have prayed at this spot. The annual Malayattur Perunal festival in March / April attracts thousands of devotees.
Known for an ancient Shiva Temple, whose inner and outer walls feature mural paintings of great artistic skill and interiors abound with intricately carved sculptures, is Ettumanoor, 63 km from Cochin.
Known for an ancient Shiva Temple, whose inner and outer walls feature mural paintings of great artistic skill and interiors abound with intricately carved sculptures, is Ettumanoor, 63 km from Cochin.
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