A day in Fort Kochi : The Queen of the Arabian Sea

(August 2025 - Fort Kochi, Ernakulam District, Kerala)

@ Indo Portuguese Museum, Bishop's House, Fort Kochi

Basion Bunglow / Ernakulam Distirct Heritage Museum

A row of neatly suspended Chinese fishing nets greeted me, as I alighted at Fort Kochi Water Metro station - a curios and iconic Chinese innovation of Medieval times, that was brought by  the Portuguese and mastered by Local fisherfolk. The ride on Lake Vembanad from High Court Metro Station to Fort Kochi took around 45 minutes and Rs.50/-, and is a part of India's first water metro, and the largest of it's kind in Asia, the Kochi Water Metro (KWM) service. Fort Kochi is the western part of Kochi, separated by Lake Kochi / Lake Vembanad from Ernakulam owing to flooding of rivers like Periyar in late 14th Century CE, which, from that point of time, rivalled Kozhikode and excelled in due course. The legend of Lord Parashurama , an Avatar of Lord Sri Mahavishnu, reclaiming land from the Sea with a Parasu (Axe) is an apt theme, earning the moniker, Parasurama Kshetra to God's Own Country, Kerala.

Ernakulam Marine Drive - View from Water Metro

@ High Court Water Metro Station

Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica

Fort Kochi offers a palate of diverse experiences - it's a vibrant place juxtaposing natural spots, souvenir shops, museums, cathedrals - a mix of India's colonial past and promise of a happening future. Bastion Bunglow, site of Fort Manuel, Asia's first European fortification exists a few yards down the beach road, now housing the District Heritage Museum. Two streets away, Vasco Da Gama's residence and his final resting place at St.Francis CSI Church is a must visit for the curious and the devout alike. The Portuguese first visited India via Sea route and set foot on Kerala, which was divided into various Independent Kingdoms (Swaroopams). Later, in succession - the Dutch and the British played the White Man's Burden - a violent progression that can be witnessed in the present day churches of Kochi - Originally constructed by Portuguese, but destroyed / renovated by Dutch, and finally falling into British hands.

@ Indian Naval Maritime Museum, INS Dronacharya Fort Kochi

St Francis CSI Church, Fort Kochi

Vasco Da Gama's Tomb @ St Francis CSI Church, Fort Kochi

The cloudy day offered a perfect foil to roam on the neat streets of Fort Kochi. The Indo-Portuguese Museum at the Bishop's house and the Grandiose Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica offered terrific insights into Kochi's vibrant past. INS Dronacharya -India's naval base housed the Indian Naval Maritime Museum, with exhibits on INS Khukri (Indo-Pak War of 1971), Indo-Portuguese war over Goa (1961) evoking pride.

@ Water Metro

@ Chinese Fishing Nets, Fort Kochi

(To be Continued..) 

         
A day in Fort Kochi : The Queen of the Arabian Sea.
Maheeth Veluvali,
16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu,.
24th of August, 2025.