In its truest sense, Kerala is almost akin to another nation. From the vast expanse of its shoreline to the picturesque tea gardens, from the dense forests to the majestic trails of nature, Kerala is truly “God’s Own Country”. The majority of the diversity here can be related to various districts in the state. Ernakulam is one such district; it is urbanised and ideal for touring during all seasons. Inside Ernakulam itself, plenty of suburbs will fulfil your needs for a perfect vacation. In this blog, we shall discuss one such block Kolenchery and all details related to it.
About Kolenchery
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In the Ernakulam District of Kerala, India, Kolenchery is a town that is continuously expanding. It is situated on National Highway 49 (NH 49), 27 km east of Kochi. Fifty years ago, Kolenchery was only a tiny village with a church, a few schools and a movie theatre. Outside, it was recognised as the residence of real estate developers and contractors. It is now wholly diversified; Kolenchery is one of the few towns in Kerala that has experienced rapid growth in recent years, be it in terms of industries, educational institutions, or other areas. Situated 3 km (1.9 mi) from Poothrikka and 20 km (12 mi) from Kochi, Kolenchery is also accessible via National Highway 85. Kolenchery was supposed to form a component of the Kochi metropolitan area. The town’s name comes from the St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Orthodox Syrian Church, also known as the “Kolenchery Church,”.
This is a historic and old church at Kolenchery that Thankan Mappila of the Kolenchery House built in the ninth century CE (or the seventh century in Malayalam calendar). The Kolenchery old Church is home to the tomb of Mar Thoma VII, the 7th Malankara Metropolitan. With its verdant meadows and forested hills, the area is serene and breathtakingly scenic. The two brothers, M. Chacko and P. M. Paily Pillai, were well-known architects in Kolenchery. They were among the principal designers of Kolenchery as it exists today. The numerous government institutions in and around Kolenchery include the M. O. S. C. Medical College Hospital, St. Peter’s College, St. Peter’s Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary school, St. Peter’s Teacher’s Training Institute and B.Ed. College, Kothamangalam Mar Athanasius College of Engineering.
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Places To Visit In Kolenchery
A little village called Kolenchery is situated halfway between Cochin and Muvattupuzha. Kolenchery is surrounded by a lot of tourist destinations, and it’s well-known for its picnic spots and thrilling array of unusual activities. When here, you will find all types of natural features as well as historical landmarks, cultural attractions, historical monuments, and exciting and adventurous activities.
1. Wonderla Amusement Park
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This is the best theme park in Kerala, and it’s just 15 km from Kochi. This is Kerala’s first international-calibre park. Out of all the rides in this park, twelve are water-based, and nine are explicitly designed with small children in mind. In order to accommodate guests, the amusement park also has a resort on its grounds. The place is an excellent spot to hang out or spend a day with family and friends. The tickets are also available online. Weekends here are usually crowded, so it’s better to plan.
Wonderla is India’s biggest chain of theme parks. Wonderla Holidays Limited, with its headquarters close to Bidadi and 28 kilometres (17 mi) from Bengaluru, Karnataka, is the owner and operator of the property. In Kochi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Bhubaneswar, Wonderla owns and runs four theme parks. Wonderla Kochi, formerly known as Veegal and Amusement Park, was the first amusement park project to open in 2000. It was followed by a second one in Bengaluru in 2005, a third in Hyderabad that opened in April 2016, and a fourth in Bhubaneswar in May 2024.
Address: Pallikkara, Kumarapuram P.O., Kochi, Kerala 683565, India
Timings:
- Weekdays: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Weekends and Holidays: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
2. Mattancherry Mansion
Image Credit: Ranjith Siji for Wikimedia Commons
As a token of goodwill, the Portuguese gave this palace to Veera Kerala Varma, the Raja of Kochi (1537–61), in 1555. Then, in 1663, the Dutch rebuilt this palace and gave it the new name “Dutch Palace.” The magnificent Hindu artwork, portraiture, and murals are the main draws here. The western portion of Cochin is located in the Mattancherry area, which is only 9 km from Ernakulam. Individuals from all over India have moved south and settled at Mattancherry. Nowadays, Mattancherry is a popular tourist resort with a diverse population. The palace is a quadrangular building with a courtyard in the centre constructed in the traditional Keralan architectural style known as Nālukettu. Some architectural features, such as the form of its arches and the size of its chambers, show traces of European influence in the fundamental Nālukettu style.
The palace’s walls are covered in a number of murals that show Hindu religious art. The palace’s walls are covered with numerous murals that are stylisedzed, devotional, and beautiful in the manner of Hindu temple art. The paintings were created using a tempera technique and rich, warm colours. What was previously the Coronation Hall now houses portraits of the Cochin Rajas dating back to 1864. Local artisans painted these in a western manner. The hall ceiling is embellished with handcrafted floral patterns. An ivory palanquin, a howdah, royal umbrellas, royal ceremonial attire, coins, stamps, and drawings are a few of the other items in the palace.
Address: Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala 682002, India
Timings:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Closed on Mondays and national holidays
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3. Kerala Folklore Museum
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The Kerala Folklore Museum is one of the most iconic culture-rich locations in Kolenchery. The complex uses a light and sound performance that presents Kerala’s history and cultural development in both Malayalam and English. Unique paintings by Ravi Varma and other modern art pieces may be found in the museum, along with life-size statues of well-known people. The museum also has a massive, intimidating statue of Lord Parasurama. This location is quite close to Edapally, Cochin’s Lulu Mall. This museum may be well-known for the historical artefacts it houses. However, it is also a masterpiece of architecture. This three-story red brick building offers an exploration of Kerala’s rich architectural and cultural legacy through three distinct architectural schools.
The ground floor features the Malabar style, the first floor features the Kochi style, and the second floor features the Travancore style. The structure is magnificently situated next to Thevara’s Ferry Junction. An elaborate metal gate guards it with relief figures that depict the several Lord Krishna characters. The museum’s exquisitely carved front is reminiscent of the entry of a Thrithala Ksheth – ram, a three-story temple with its gabled roofs showcasing precise woodwork, exquisitely carved wooden columns, pillars, wall panelling, and roof supports. This fact is emphasised by the statues, lanterns, and two elephants made entirely of black stone on either side of the entrance. The massive black doorway is adorned with the Manichithrathazu, a magnificent, elaborate lock with engravings that was formerly used to guard the doors of the traditional Nalukettu and Ettukettu (four- and eight-sided dwellings).
Address: Folklore Junction, Thevara, Cochin, Kerala 682013, India
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
4. Jewish Town
Between Mattancherry Palace and the Synagogue is where you’ll find the Jew Town. This street is also known locally as the “last Jewish town.” This area of Mattancherry is well-known for the numerous antique stores that line its edges, captivating tourists with their unique and varied collections. One of the main attractions in this area is a large Vaarpu, or bronze vessel. A stroll down this Kolenchery’s “Jew street” will help you see some Kashmiri businesses selling Persian antiquities, pashmina shawls, and traditional Islamic handicrafts.
In this Jew Town, there are now just two Jews remaining. History has it that the Jews of Kochi did not flee their nation because of persecution or poverty, in contrast to other Jewish communities that are rapidly disappearing throughout the world. Instead, many from the primarily Orthodox community were drawn to move and begin a new life in the Jewish homel and after the State of Israel was established in 1948. Here, you can explore various local markets and shops. The remnants of Jewish buildings serve as a historical tourist attraction from a bygone era. For those who are enthusiastic about history, it can be a well-spent day at this tourist location. The area is around 30 km away from Kolenchery.
Address: Jew Town Rd, Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala 682002, India
Timings:
- Shops are generally open from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- The Paradesi Synagogue (located here) is open from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Jewish holidays)
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5. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
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Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, often called Kaloor Stadium, is a multipurpose venue and a place of attraction near Kolenchery. With the 2017 renovations, the stadium can accommodate 40,000 people in seats. It used to hold 80,000 people, however for security considerations, the capacity was lowered to 41,000 for Indian Super League (ISL) games. Political rallies, movie screenings, and significant exhibitions are often held on the stadium’s vast grounds throughout the city.
The stadium’s distinctive 2 kW floodlight towers, which, when fully activated, can supply lighting levels for HD transmission, are its most inventive feature. The Greater Cochin Development Authority leased the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kaloor to the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for a duration of thirty years. There are frequent football matches being played at this stadium on a regular basis. The stadium also hosts the regional leagues and inter-state football championships every year.
Address: Kaloor, Kochi, Kerala 682017, India
Timings:
- Open for events and matches as per schedule
- Usually accessible for visits during non-event days from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
6. Chottanikkara Temple
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The Devi Temple, called Chottanikkara (correction of Jayasutaka) is named after the Hindu mother goddess Bhagavati Lakshmi. It is an essential cultural spot in the town and is visited by travellers all around the year. The temple mythology also attributes the primary deity to Lakshmi Narayana. The temple is also categorised as one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams in the Vaishnavate faith. When it comes to temple building, the Sabarimala temple and the Chottanikkara temple st and out as the finest examples of the traditional hi-vishwakarma sthapathis (wooden sculpture).
The greatest mother goddess of Hinduism and one of the most well-liked goddesses in Kerala is Sree Mahamaya Bhagavati. The temple worships Chottanikkara Devi (Melekavu Bhagavathi) in three different guises: as Mahasaraswati in the morning, dressed in white; as Mahalakshmi in the noon, dressed in crimson; and as Mahakali in the evening, dressed in blue. An evening ceremony known as guruthi pooja is performed to invite the goddess Mahakali. ‘Guruthi Pooja’ was once limited to Fridays. However, it’s a daily occurrence these days. When you visit the temple, following the rules and guidelines is customary. One should carry only traditional attire to the temple and no loud noises should be made, to preserve the spiritual essence of the place.
Address: Chottanikkara, Ernakulam, Kerala 682312, India
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Kolenchery is one of the most developed and growing places in Ernakulam District of Kerala. Whenever you visit the state, it may be a good option to include this place in your plans. Plan your trip to Kerala now and enjoy the cultural aspects of this place in their full glory.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kolenchery
How far is Kolenchery from Kochi?
Kolenchery, unlike Kochi, lies in the central parts of Kerala. It is around 27.1 km away from Kochi. By road, it takes around 1 hour to reach Kolenchery. Regular taxis and local bus service are available.
Are there beaches in Kolenchery?
Kolenchery does not have a beach. It is around 30 km from the Kerala Shoreline, so plan your travel to the beaches accordingly.
What is unique about Kolenchery?
Kolenchery is a modern town in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. It is a well-planned block and a contemporary hub for trade and tourism. The area has various types of tourist places, including nature trails, waterfalls, temples, complexes, museums, and more.
Are there good hotels in Kolenchery?
Yes, there are various hotels to choose from when planning to stay in Kolenchery. You can choose from starred hotels or the local ones in case you are on a tight budget.
How is the weather in Kolenchery?
Weather in Kolenchery resembles the typical Kerala weather. It is moderate with colder nights and warmer days. When planning to come here, the ideal time is during the transition of the seasons. For instance, you can come here during late winters or late summers.
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