Ernakulam: Mangroves, Temples and Backwaters

Ernakulam offers different perspectives on nature and city life. At Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, mangroves and birdlife take center stage. The Ernakulam Shiva Temple and the Durbar Hall Grounds bring together a religious site and an open space in the city center. At Marine Drive in Kochi, backwaters, bridges and boat trips shape the scenery.

Mangroves and Birdlife

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary in the city of Ernakulam and is protected by the state forest department. It is located in mangrove forests and is visited by many migratory birds. Spiders and bats are also among its main attractions. To date, 72 bird species have been recorded; this is the count so far and may change as further records are made. Observations also vary by season.

Temple and Durbar Hall

The Ernakulam Shiva Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is also known as Ernakulathappan. It is located in the Durbar Hall Ground. The two-acre Durbar Hall Grounds lie in the heart of Ernakulam, close to the temple, and offer a place to take a breather in the bustling city.

The Durbar Hall building is called the Durbar Hall Art Gallery. If the name is important for finding your way around, check the current signage. In 1991, the Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi opened the Gallery of Contemporary Art on the upper floor of Durbar Hall. The year refers to this opening.

Marine Drive: Promenade and Bridges

Marine Drive in Kochi is a three-kilometer-long promenade along the backwaters and is also known as APJ Abdul Kalam Marg. Vehicles are not allowed on Marine Drive. The three bridges there are called Rainbow Bridge, Chinese Fishing Net Bridge and House Boat Bridge.

The arched Rainbow Bridge is illuminated with rainbow-colored lights at night. Lighting details may change; if they are important to you, check the latest information. The Chinese Fishing Net Bridge resembles a traditional Kerala fishing net suspended over the water and is a good place to watch the sunset over the lake.

Boat trips on Vembanad Lake are available from Marine Drive. Check current operators and availability before your trip. Marine Drive is also the venue for the Marine Drive Boat Race, which is part of the Champions Boat League and is associated with the Onam period between August and September. Check the specific event dates for your travel year.

Parks and Broadway

Subhash Chandra Bose Park lies in the heart of Ernakulam and offers views of Vembanand Lake and Cochin Harbour. It covers 11.5 acres and is next to the Ernakulam boat Jetty. The Durbar Hall Grounds cover two acres. The area figures give a sense of the difference in size between the two green spaces.

Broadway is one of Kochi’s shopping districts. Its buildings with sloping roofs preserve the historic character of the shopping area, giving it a different urban feel from the mangroves, parks and waterfront promenade.

Discover more destinations: Ramankary, Shoranur, Thirunelly, Lakkidi, Kuttyādi, Mararikulam, Malayattur, Thattekad.

For the main travel overview: Kerala.