Historical

The city of Kaladi is located in the region around Kochi. This small city is the birthplace of the famous Hindu philosopher Sri Adi Sankaracharya. He lived in the 8th century AD. On his travels throughout India, he spent his time debating with scholars and spreading his theory of monotheism or Advaita. The Adi Sankara shrine and the 8-story painted Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthambam are popular sites to visit in the area. The location of Adi Sankara shrine is on the bank of the river Periyar. Samadhi of the mother of Aryamaba, Sankaracharya is also enclosed in the temple.

Fort Kochi is a small village located near the larger city of Kochi. There are picturesque beaches along this part of the coastline. Scattered throughout the beaches are many famous Chinese fishing nets as well as many sailing ships. The effect created by such fishing necessities is quaint and relaxing. Many European style bungalows can be seen along the shoreline, since this location was where the first European settlement in India was located.

Built by the Portuguese in 1503, the Pallipuram fort is the oldest surviving European monuments in India. The Pallipuram fort situated is at the northern end of Vypeen Island at Pallipuram. There is a catholic church in Pallipuram which is a highly revered pilgrim site by the Christians.

The Hill Palace used to be the official residence of the royal family of Kochi. Today it has been converted into a museum showcasing the collections of the royal families of Travancore and Kochi. The palace is considered to be the largest archaeological museum in India. Tripunithura is 16 kilometers from Kochi, and is a satellite town of the city.

This Dutch palace built in 1744, on the Bolghatty Island, is a short boat ride away from the mainland; it offers panoramic views of the harbour and holds a large golf course. The palace was later taken over by the British.

The erstwhile residence of a German scholar, Dr. Herman Gundert, the bungalow is a typical example of colonial mansion. There are wide verandah, massive doors and deep eaves for you to see and roam around. Though you need to get a permission from the principal of NTTF (a technical training institute).

Don Francisco D. Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India, build the fort in 1505 AD. The fort had a chequered history. It changed hands to the Douche, then to the Ali Raja of Arakkal and finally to the British. The barracks, the magazine, cannons and the ruins of a chapel are all standing testimony history on the shores of the sea. Fort St. Angelo is a protected monument under the archaeological survey of India.

Its about 2 kms. from Kannur Town, steeped in History; it was the Beebi (Queen) of Arakkal, Kerala’s only Muslim Royal family that controlled parts of the coast and even Lakshadweep.

This fort was built in the 17th Century by Sivappa Naik near the Chandragiri River. The ancient Kizhur Temple at Chandragiri has an annual festival called “Pattu Utsavam”.

Bekal Fort, in Kerala, is a circular structure spread of about 40 acres of land, extending up to the Arabian Sea. The fort is more that 300 years old and is believed to be built by Sivappa Naik of Ikkeri Dynasty in 1650. At 130 feet above the sea level it is one of the biggest forts in Kerala.

Another belief says that the Bekal Fort was originally built by Kolathiri Rajas of the Vijayanagar Empire and later captured by Sivappa Naik. Later the fort was occupied by Hyder Ali of Mysore, followed by Huzur of Canara during Tipu Sultan’s reign before it finally fell into British hands.