Sunday, August 23, 2009

Rail, Road and Ferry services in Ernakulam (Cochin)

Hugging the coast of the Arabian Sea, the charming district of Ernakulam bustles with life. The city of Cochin in Ernakulam is hailed as the commercial capital of Kerala. Blessed by one of the finest natural harbours in the world, Cochin is celebrated as the Queen of the Arabian Sea.


Accessing Cochin


By Rail
Ernakulam is well connected to all major cities in India.
Ernakulam Junction - Phone 131
Ernakulam Town Railway Station - Phone: 2395198
Aluva Railway Station - Phone: 2624141

By Road
The KSRTC Central Bus station is near the Junction Railway Station. Phone: 2372033
Private buses operate from High Court Jn, Railway Station and Kaloor Junction
Tamil Nadu Road Transport Bus Station - Phone: 2372616

Inter state private bus services to Bangalore, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Chennai and Madurai
Indira Travels - Phone: 2360693
Yesbee Travesl - Phone: 2375080
Princy Tours - Phone: 2354712

Ferry Services: There are two ferry stations in Ernakulam. The main boat jetty is 1km from the Junction Railway station and the other is near the High Court.

Ferry timings from the main boat jeety
Vypeen - Frequent services (1/2 hour journey)
Mattancherry - Daily 6 ferries (1/2 hour journey)
Fort Kochi - Daily 30 services (20 minutes journey) First trip at 6am and last trip at 9.10pm
Willingdon Island - Frequent services (15 min journey)

For more information contact:
Tourist Information Office - Phone: 2360502

Elephant Pageants in Kerala

No celebration in Kerala is complete without an elephant pageant. This gentle pachyderm is accorded the privilege of escorting the numerous gods and goddesses. The elephant pageants feature colorfully decked up elephants with mahouts atop them holding aloft tinselled silk parasols, swaying white tufts and peacock feather fans.

The main elephant pageant is held in Thrissur. Its called the Thypooya Mahotsavam.
It is to be held on the 30th of January 2010.

The other elephant pageants for the coming year are:

Uthralikavu Pooram - Thrissur
March 02 2010

Thrissur Pooram - Thrissur
April 24 2010

Arattupuzha Pooram - Thrissur
March 28 2010

Pariyanampetta Pooram - Palakkad
On 19th February - every year

Chinakkathoor Pooram - Palakkad
February 28 2010

Nenmara Vellangi - Palakkad
April 03 2010