How to get there ?

Cherai beach is 35 Kms from Cochin and borders Vypeen Island. This beautiful beach is studded with seashells of various hues and shapes.

Air :

Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery- 22kms from Cherai

Rail :

Nearest railway station is at Ernakulam, about 35 kms away. Cochin has 2 stations: Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town . Trains from the Northern cities/Southern parts of India stop at Ernakulam Junction.

Road :

Edappally to North Paravur and from there to Cherai, a distance of about 25km. KSRTC Central Bus station is near the Ernakulam Junction railway station.


Places of interest around Cherai Beach

ASVD Temple & Chariot festival : This 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 are 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 takes place twice in a year. The chariot is pulled by devotees around the temple to the accompaniment of drum beats.

Gowreeswara Temple : An important pilgrimage centre in Kerala, it is 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 during 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 was built by the Portuguese in 1577. The exquisite picture of Holy Mary positioned at the top of the "Altar" was brought from Portugal. The Church, however, survived the onslaught of the Dutch who were not Catholics. And the amazing thing is that the Dutch even built a chapel for this church.

Juma Masjid : An elegant mosque of harmonious proportions and simplicity. In 1869 the mosque was renovated, but there is no evidence when this was built.

Portuguese Fort : Built in1503 by the Portuguese it was also known as 'Aya Kotta'. It is the oldest European monument in India. It was an out post to safegurd the famous Mussiris Port. In 1661 the Dutch captured the fort and in 1789 the fort was handed over to the King of Thiruvathankoor. In 1795 it came under the British. The hexagonal fort is the best-preserved Portuguese bastion.

Paddy Field : The green emerald paddy fields attract lots of tourists and its pastural surroundings are really charming.