Fort Kochi Ferry

Fort Kochi Ferry 
Text and Photos By Viswas Menon
Mob: 09449825583

Waiting to Dock 

Fort Kochi is located around 13 kms from Ernakulam city, is one among the three main urban regions that constitute the Cochin Corporation. 

The other two regions are Ernakulam and Mattancherry. 

Going Fishing

This important trade center in Southern India was formed after a major flood in AD 1341 and became the first European township in India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century. 

In AD 1663, the town was captured by the Dutch and the British took over in 1795. 

Ferry Approaching the Pier

Fort Kochi is a haven for seafaring visitors, dotted with attractive sites like Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St.Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. It has been declared a heritage destination with its colonial buildings against the backdrop of the sea.

This vibrant cultural center can be easily assess-able by bus from Ernakulam which takes nearly an hour or by ferry that takes about 20 minutes.

The Container Cranes of Port Kochi

The Ferry connects the islands of Vypeen and Fort Kochi. The beach here is very dirty. 

The ferry area water is polluted with water hyacinths, plastic bottles, thermocol sheets, non degradable waste etc. 

Lined up in Ferry

The Ferry Carries Vehicles and passengers

Herons 

The concerned authorities must take steps to clean up the place and to prevent pollution. Utter confusion and traffic jams are common in the jetty area. The service however is cheap.

Basilica of Our Lady of Vallarpadam (St. Mary's Church) , Kochi,

Basilica of Our Lady of Vallarpadam (St. Mary's Church) 

Photos and Text By Viswas Menon, 

Mob: 09449825583

Mother Mary 

Basilica of Our Lady of Vallarpadam (St. Mary's Church) 2.5 km from Kochi Sea Port Hotel, Vypeen, Kochi, Kerala, India.

The Cross on the tower

A major pilgrim center for Christians, St. Mary's church (The Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom) is located in the middle of Vallarpadam Island across the backwaters from the mainland Ernakulam This popular shrine was built by the Portuguese missionaries in 1524. 

Dome ceiling above the altar

History has it that the old church, which was then known as the Church of the Holy Spirit, was destroyed in floods in the 17th century and a new church was built on the same spot in 1676. It was declared a special church by Pope Leo XIII in 1888. 

Mother Mary and Infant Jesus Statue

In 1951, the Union Government declared it a major pilgrim center. The church was declared the status of a basilica on February 12, 2005. It is believed to be the first church in Asia dedicated to the Holy Spirit.

The View from the Top of the tower

It is believed that Paliyath Raman Valiyachan, the Diwan of the Maharaja of Cochin recovered the image from the flood waters. He handed over the image to the then parish vicar and it was installed in a temporary shed which was known as 'Panampu Pally'. 

The Cross in the church compound 

A wooden flag staff (160 ft) was also installed at the place where he exchanged the holy picture, which was replaced much later in 2002, by a steel flag staff (102 ft). 

Paintings on the wall of the belfry

' Palermo Annunciation : Mary, absorbed in reading
Painting by Antonello da Messina
in the stairwell of the belfry tower

A beautiful church was then built in the land donated by the Diwan in 1676. Subsequent renovations were made to the church in 1888, 1931 and 1947. The church alter is adorned with the miraculous image of the Holy Mary and Infant Jesus, and the 'Kedavilikkku' (sanctuary lamp) which he donated on the day the new church opened, burns at the altar even today. 

The Church Facade

Paliyath Valiachan also promised to supply the oil for burning the lamp from his palace and this practice continued till 1947. In 1994, the Paliyath family, visited the shrine and rekindled the sanctuary lamp.

The church has the famous picture of the 'Blessed Virgin Mary' which the Portuguese brought from their native land. The picture is believed to have miraculous powers. Portuguese merchants headed by Vasco da Gama enthroned this miraculous picture of this shrine.

The Miraculous picture of Blessed Virgin Mary

People from all parts of Kerala and outside, irrespective of caste or creed go to the church to seek the blessings of Mary, the mother of Jesus, popularly known as "Vallarpadathamma".

There are many legends associated with this church, the most famous was in 1752, a Nair lady Meenakshiamma hailing from a noble Nair family of Palliveetil who along with her infant son, were believed to have been rescued miraculously from the bottom of the backwaters near the church after they went missing for three days. The then parish priest, Fr. Miguel Correa had a dream where the Lady of Ransom appeared and gave him instructions to rescue the drowning mother and son. After this miracle, Vallarpadam became a famous pilgrim center. In gratitude, all the members of the Palliveetil family vowed to remain loyal servants of Our Lady forever and Meenakshiamma and her son spend the rest of their lives in and around the church.

Designs on the tower

Prayers in name of relatives

'Adima' a ritual practice - submitting one's lives to the protection of Our Lady of Vallarpadam was thus established and now this ritual is the popular offering in Vallarpadam Church. During this ritual, the priest lays his hands on the head of the devotee, says a prayer and sprinkles holy water. It is believed that once the ritual is performed Our Lady protects the person from all dangers and grant favors in abundance. 

The Altar 

In memory of this miracle, the picture of Meenakshiamma and her son seeking blessings was added to the original holy picture of the Blessed Mary and Infant Jesus. 

Devotees do Adima Service by sweeping the church compound

Even today, the members of the Palliveetil family, the house of the Nair lady, bring their children to perform the practice of 'Adima' and also supply curd water to devotees during the festivities of the church.

 

Cauvery at Dubare

Travels with Viswas

River Cauvery at Dubare

Test and Photos by Viswas Menon

The Kaveri, also spelled Cauvery in English, is a large Indian river. The origin of the river is traditionally placed at Talakaveri, Kodagu in the Western Ghats in Karnataka, flows generally south and east through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and across the southern Deccan plateau through the southeastern lowlands, emptying into the Bay of Bengal through two principal mouths.

Cauvery Flows Serenely

Cauvery Forms many small islands 

The Kaveri basin is estimated to be 81,155 km with many tributaries including the Shimsha, the Hemavati, the Arkavati,Honnuhole, Lakshmana Tirtha, Kabini, Bhavani River, the Lokapavani, the Noyyal and the Amaravati River. 

Cauvery presents boating options 

The river's basin covers 4 states and Union Territories - Karnataka (34,273 km²), Tamil Nadu (43,856 km²), Kerala (2,866 km²) and Puducherry (160 km²). Rising in southwestern Karnataka, it flows southeast some 800 km to enter the Bay of Bengal. 

Cauvery etches its presence on rocks  

East of Mysore it forms the island of Shivanasamudra, on either side of which are the scenic Shivanasamudra Falls that descend about 320 ft (100 m). The river is the source for an extensive irrigation system and for hydroelectric power. The river has supported irrigated agriculture for centuries and served as the lifeblood of the ancient kingdoms and modern cities of South India.

Cauvery Reflects its flora

Cauvery creates numerous pockets of Beauty

According to the legend a girl called Vishnumaya or Lopaamudra, the daughter of Brahma was born on earth, but her divine father allowed her to be considered the daughter of sage Kavera-muni . In order to obtain the beatitude for her adoptive father, it solved to become river whose waters would have to purify all the sins. (kavErasya apatyam stree = kAvEri); Asides from the myth, in Tamil, kaa means forest/gardens; viri means to expand; since the river expands alongside the course of forests and gardens, it takes the sweet name kaviri, cauvery.

Stillness personified

At Dubare, some 30 km from Kodagu, Cauvery forms islands that is home to the Dubare Elephant Camp run by the Jungle Lodges section of the Karnataka Forest Department.










Cauvery creates some beautiful scenes at Dubare. It is almost as if God created many paintings with his own creative paint brushes.




















Jungle safari is offered by Jungle Lodges. Dubare Elephant Camp is home to numerous tame elephants that have been retired from their work or were captured when they strayed into human habitats, or rescued circus elephants. These elephant lead a retired life in this island and is cared for by the local villagers who work as caretakers.

Cauvery Paints many floral hues

Cauvery offers visitors at Dubare  water sport activities like boat rides, rafting, coracle rides, white water rafting, elephant interaction program, opportunity to spot aquatic birds.

Cauvery Frames 

Visitors get an opportunity to bathe, feed, ride the elephant. They also get a number of photo opportunity with the elephants. The naturalist associated with the camp also conducts a briefing session for the visitors and enlighten them on various features of the elephant. This elephant interaction program is available in the morning hours. So be there early.

Cauvery paints God's Easels

Jungle Lodges also offer cottages for visitors to stay. Dubare Inn alongside the river bank at Dubare is yet another stay option.

Cauvery reflects 

The road to Dubare is reasonably good and motor-able. Local  tourist taxis are available from Madikeri and Kushalnagar.

Rooted in Time

There are a few restaurants on the river bank at Dubare where visitors can have food. They also have more options for food at Kushalnagar and Madikeri.

God Washes his paint brushes here

Visitors can visit other near by sight seeing spots like Cauvery Nisargadhama and Tibetan Golden Temple.

Cauvery Stillness Preserved

Have a great time at Dubare. Please ensure that you keep the environment clean. I have seen many visitors from city who visit Dubare enjoying the beauty of nature here, but callously toss mineral water bottles in to the river while boating. They also litter the river back with food packets, even though dustbins have been provided.

Our younger generation must learn to protect and preserve our beautiful environments like Dubare, so that their children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy te beauty of nature.

Have a lovely time at Dubare!