Latest news with #CochinCarnival
New Indian Express
03-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Going beyond Malayattoor pilgrimage: Time to boost Ernakulam's spiritual, nature tourism
Kerala's hills, plains, and beaches have long attracted both domestic and international visitors. However, pilgrimage tourism is a segment that has seen a notable upswing in recent years. Many well-known heritage pilgrimage destinations have experienced a consistent increase in the number of visitors. What makes these pilgrimage destinations particularly attractive to tourists is their inclusivity and add-on nearby attractions. One such destination in Ernakulam district is Malayattoor. According to legend, St Thomas came to Malayattoor in AD 52, and started is believed that Virgin Mary appeared before him here, when he knelt on a rock and prayed. Notably, Malayattoor is reportedly the first Christian pilgrim centre in India to be accorded international status by the Holy See, the official seat of the Vatican. Considering the lakhs who visit this Christian pilgrimage centre — also a trekker's paradise — the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) has proposed several initiatives aimed at offering visitors a memorable experience blending spirituality, history, and leisure. 'Malayattoor has a lot of potential as a spiritual tourism destination,' says a tourism department official. 'Every year during the Holy Week, towards the fag end of Lent, there is a surge in the number of visitors, both on pilgrimage and otherwise. This year also saw thousands arriving at Kurisumala. This can be tapped to boost the tourism prospects of the nearby destinations as well.' One of the DTPC's projects has recently come to fruition — a children's park near Manapattu Chira, also known as 'Nakshathra Thadakam (Star Lake)'. 'The park, which was opened recently, has been drawing a sizeable crowd of visitors. This in itself shows the potential that the place has beyond the annual pilgrimage,' the official highlights. 'The park project was sanctioned in 2015. But it took a long 10 years to complete. The park, built at a cost of Rs 65 lakh from the tourism department, is located at a beautiful spot. On one side, it has the hills of Malayattoor standing majestically, while on the other, the emerald waters of Manapattu Chira present a soothing sight. Boating activities have also commenced, making it ideal for picnics.' Nakshathra Thadakam, the official adds, is an important place in the lives of the people here. 'Every New Year, the residents here decorate the entire circumference of the lake with colourful stars – over 1,000 of them – and have a gala. It's a beautiful sight. Hence, the name Nakshathra Thadakam,' he says. 'How many people in the city know about this? Everyone knows about the Cochin Carnival. But how many know about the Malayattoor Carnival?' If the location is spruced up with a walkway by the lake, along with lights and benches akin to Kochi's Marine Drive, it would become a vibrant tourism hub, the official says. 'A fountain and eco-friendly boating could also be added attractions,' he adds. 'Such a development would also be beneficial for the local residents and businesses. There is land available for more infrastructural development, such as the construction of toilets, expansion of parking lots, a food court, and a small convention centre near the park.'
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- The Hindu
Acute shortage of toilets at Fort Kochi, Mattancherry dampens tourist experience
Even as tourism stakeholders claim that emphasis is being laid on readying basic infrastructure at tourism destinations in Kerala, visitors to popular beach and heritage tourism spots like Fort Kochi and Mattancherry are forced to put up with an acute shortage of pay-and-use toilets in the two locales. Most visitors are thus compelled to either travel quite a distance to the few available pay-and-use toilets or visit shops and eateries in these destinations to use their toilets, said C. Satish, president of the All Kerala Tour Guides' Association. 'A few bio-toilets that were installed in Fort Kochi are now dysfunctional due to improper upkeep, while tourists prefer to shun the pay-and-use toilets at Mattancherry since they are not maintained in a clean manner. Foreign tourists are particularly put off, as they prefer Western-style closets.' Contrasting the condition of well-maintained toilets within the Water Metro terminal with that of a few public toilets in the two heritage zones, Mr. Satish hoped that Kerala Tourism and allied agencies would learn from the upkeep of toilets at the terminal. The least that can be done is to build an adequate number of pay-and-use toilets and entrust their upkeep to self-help groups like Kudumbashree, he said. Interestingly, most toilet projects mulled over the past many years by tourism agencies like the Ernakulam DTPC to build pay-and-use toilets at these locales remain only on paper. Sources in the agency said that a public toilet was recently built near St. Francis Church, as a joint initiative of the DTPC and the Fort Kochi Heritage Conservation Society. 'Discussions are on to build a pay-and-use toilet complex at South Beach in Fort Kochi by availing Kerala Tourism funds. Likewise, a travel lounge has been proposed this year near Veli Ground on a 25-cent plot owned by Kochi Corporation. Apart from the need for timely upkeep, problems abound in the form of people dumping sanitary pads and other materials in closets,' they added. Cochin Carnival officials spoke of how they were forced to rent bio-toilets during the carnival season due to the inadequate number of public toilets in Fort Kochi.
