| |
 Cherai is an excellent tourist beach destination in Kerala . It is a typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves in the vicinity. It is an enchanting stretch of endeveloped golden sand, with miles of beautiful backwater's just 300m back from the seasore.The sandy, clean and shallow beach , evokes irresistible temptation for swimming and sunbathing .The cool fresh morning air on the beaches of Cherai, definitely have something unique in them that no other beach in the world has. It has the calm serene Backwaters on the other side and the land is filled with coconut trees which make this a very unique and precious gift of the Mother Nature. May be that is why it is such a favorite holiday destination among tourists.
Transport and Communication :-
Air - Nearest airport – Cochin International airport (NEDUMBASSERY - 23Kms).
Rail - Nearest railway station is at Aluva 23 Km.away from cherai. Kochi hasTwo stations, Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town. Trains from the Northern cities/Southern parts of India stop at Ernakulam Junction. Ernakulam, about 26 km away from cherai.
Road –The new Goshree Bridge from Ernakulam that stretches out across the backwaters connecting the islands of Bolghatty, Mulavukadu, Vallarpadam and Vypeen make tourist access to this beach much more easier which is 22km away (45 minutes by bus) or taking the longer road route via Edappally to North Paravur and from there to Cherai, a distance of about 25km.
Around Cherai :-
Portuguese Fort : Built in1503 by the Portuguese also known as 'Aya Kotta'. It is the oldest European monument in India. It was an out post to safegaurd the famous Mussiris Port. In 1661 the Dutch captured the fort and in 1789 the fort was handover to the King of Thiruvathankoor. In 1795 it came under the British. The hexagonal fort is the best-preserved Portuguese bastion. 
Sahoodhara Bhavan : In 1889 july 22 Sahoodharan Ayappan was born ,he was the deciple of sree narayana guru in 1917 may 29 he gave a feast to so called lover castes he was a greate social reformer,journalist,his house which is situated on the banks of periyar river was open to the public .
ASVD Temple & Chariot festival : Exquisite temple was constructed in A.D1869. Azheekkal Sree Varaha Venkateswara Temple is the only "Sampoornakshetra" in South India. This is the only temple in India where both the deities of Sree Varaha and Sree Venkateswara installed side by side and worshiped as single moorthy (God).The famous temple "Ratha" (Chariot) is a rarity in temple architecture. This is the only chariot in the world, which runs on the rail. The festival took place twice in a year. The chariot is pulled by devotees around the temple with huge drum beats.
Gowreeswara Temple :Important pilgrimage centre in Kerala also known as South Pazhani, built in 1912. Gowreeswara temple is dedicated to Lord Muruka. The idle was installed by Sree Narayana Guru. To see Cherai at her best come with the festival. The trumpeting of more than 30 elephants and the magical sound of "Panchavaadya" and the spectacular view of celebratory fireworks.
Pallipuram Church : The church is built by the Portuguese in 1577. The exquisite picture of Ave Mary on the top of "Altar" is brought from Portugal. Cherai's cultural life would be incomplete with out it festivals. The Church, which survived the Dutch on Catholic. And the amazing thing is that the Dutch even built a chapel for this church.
|
|
