776 mts8700 sq. km.
Summer Max 35ºC, Min 22.5ºC,
Winter Max 32ºC, Min 20ºC
Kannda, Hindi, & English
667.2 mm.
Kochi is a beautiful city situated on the Western Coast of India facing the Arabian Sea, and rightfully called the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. It has a rich network of backwaters and is the culture and heritage centre of Kerala. Cochin known as the Queen of Arabian Sea, is the Commercial. Capital of Kerala. An enormous potential exists in Kerala, especially Cochin for the use of Information Technology. There are a number of industries, a large number of export produces, 100% literacy, highly developed social structure, and well laid-out communication facilities and transport infrastructure. These and a few other factors provide enormous scope for the growth of IT industry. The Kerala Government also recently announced an IT policy and created a separate IT department under the Chief Minister to promote IT in the state in a big way.
It is not known exactly how the name Kochi originated. But many theories exist. Some historians believe that Cochin is a modified form of the word 'Cochazhi' which in Malayalam means 'small sea'
Though Cochin had been an important roadstead in days gone by, it became a natural harbor only when nature decreed it so. Muziris (present-day Kodungalloor on the mouth of the Periyar River), 40 km north of Cochin, was the center of trade with ancient Rome in the products like pepper and pearls, fine silks, cotton, muslin, honey, oil, betel, tortoise shell, cinnamon leaf, black pepper, ginger grass, and indigo. For centuries, Cochin was the battleground of European powers for the mastery of the lucrative trade of the Indian west coast. The fortunes of political powers in Cochin were dictated by pepper. The Portuguese were the first to come in. Two years later, the adventurous mariner, the legendary Vasco da Gama himself landed in Cochin. The Portuguese erected a fort for the protection of their factory. Fort Manuel, or Manuel Kotta, named after the King of Portugal, was the first fortress constructed by the Europeans in India. To the Portuguese must go the credit for the extensive scientific cultivation of coconut, ginger, and pepper, backbone of Kerala’s economy today. Tobacco, cashew nut, and fruit cultivation were also introduced. The pineapple, for instance, is still called prithichakka in Malayalam, meaning Portuguese jackfruit. They were also responsible for today’s burgeoning trade in coir.
The Dutch, full of energy and zeal, were next to enter the scene and succeeded in throwing out the Portuguese very soon. Helped by a laissez-faire policy and a self-stipulated dictum of “at least a 100% profit,” Cochin saw a great resurgence of trade
St Francis Church, Hill Palace Museum, Sea Front, Museum of Kerala History, Jewish Synagogue.
How to get there :
By Air :
Cochin Airport is linked by direct services of Indian airlines and East-West Airlines to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, Bangalore and Trivandrum.
By Rail :
Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town Station are connected to most important cities
By Road :
Cochin is well connected to several important destinations. Bus services-both government and private-are available to Alleppey, Quilon, Trivandrum, Thekkady, Munnar, Palaghat, Calicut, Bangalore.
22850 sq km.
230 metres above Sea Level.
Summer : Max 40° C.
Winter : Max 11° C.
359.5 mm.
Rajasthani, Marwari, Hindi.
Famous for its magnificent forts and palaces, Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan and a major tourist attraction in the country. The city is situated at the edge of the Thar Desert with Jaisalmer on its west, Barmar, Jalor and Pali on its south, Bikaner on its north, and Nagaur on the eastern side. The city dominated by the massive Mehrangarh fort on a rocky hill is charming with its wealth of historic attractions and colourful markets which specialises in antiques. It is still one of the leading centres of wool, cattle, camels and salt.
Jodhpur was founded by the Rajput chief Rao Jodha in 1459. The city was the erstwhile capital of the Marwar state. A 10-km-long wall made of stone and built about a century after the city was founded, surrounds the old city. There are about 100 towers in the city, most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements. It was  founded in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - hero of the epic 'Ramayana'. Rahores controlled a large part of Rajasthan, especially during the reigns of Rao Udai Singh (1581 AD) and his son Raja Sur Singh ((1595), who conquered Gujarat and a good part of Deccan for the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The Rathores always had good relationships with the Mughals and Maharaja Jaswant Singh (1678) supported Shahjahan in the Mughal struggle for war of succession. Only problematic relationship they had was with Aurangzeb. After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, Maharaja Ajit Singh became the ruler of Jodhpur. He drove out Mughals from Ajmer and added substantially to the Mehrangarh Fort.
Marwar Festival :- The vibrant Marwar festival held annually brings to life, the very essence of the magic, that is Rajasthan.
The city of Jodhpur has a typical desert climate, dry and hot. November and March are the best time for a journey to Jodhpur with pleasant and sunny days.
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