Kerala Kathakali Centre in Ernakulam, Kerala

Chavara Cultural Centre is located at Near South Station,Kochi city, Ernakulam District, Kerala. Chavara Cultural Centre is established in 1971, by the Congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. Chavara Cultural Centre is a charitable and secular organization with no political connection. Since Art and Culture constitutes the main feature of Indian Heritage, its maintenance and promotion is vital. This necessity conduced in the formation of a secular institution where people…

About Kerala Kathakali Centre

Chavara Cultural Centre is located at Near South Station,Kochi city, Ernakulam District, Kerala. Chavara Cultural Centre is established in 1971, by the Congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. Chavara Cultural Centre is a charitable and secular organization with no political connection. Since Art and Culture constitutes the main feature of Indian Heritage, its maintenance and promotion is vital. This necessity conduced in the formation of a secular institution where people irrespective of caste, class and creed may add another feather to the glowing coronet of Indian Culture.Held throughout the year these cultural programs at Chavara generate creative talent and helps the creative talent in the younger generation to burst forth like an open volcano. Interfaith gathering held at Chavara Cultural Centre helps to remove the differences among mankind and inculcate the idea of brotherhood. The dialogues and prayers also help to promote fraternity among men. Public library trains students to gather more knowledge outside their syllabus and scheduled texts and also . To prepare the students for a better future so that they can face the challenges of life boldly, French and English classes are held here regularly.

Chavara Cultural Centre is run under the supervision of CMI congregation of priests who manage over 1200 educational institutions all over India, including medical colleges, engineering colleges, management schools,nursing schools,B.Ed colleges, and professional colleges. Prestigious colleges like Christ College Bangalore, S.H.College Thevara Kochi, Rajagiri Institutions Kalamasserry, St. Josephs College Devagiri Kozhikode and institutions like Amala Cancer Research Centre, Trissur are a few examples.CMI managed social institutions, non-formal education centre’s and cultural centre’s number over 500.Debates on issues of national and international interests are often held here. Talks by famous speakers on various cardinal topics have often been delivered.The authorities of the centre are often invited for participation in Statewide, National and International seminars, symposia, etc in India and abroad.

Interesting things to Visit

Historical Museum :

Important scenes of Kerala history are portrayed through through Sculptures. Greeting the visitor outside is a statue of Parasurama the mythological safe who is said to have created Kerala.

Bastion Bunglow :

Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667 AD, Bastion Bungalow get its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old, Dutch fort.

Bolghatty Palace:

Bolghatty palace built by the Dutch in 1744. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin. Today it is a hotel run by K.T.D.C. The grounds have a small golf course & several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour & the sea.

Cherai Beach:

Cherai Beach offers a unique combination of sea and backwaters rimmed by lush green coconut palms.

Children’s Park :

A high-tech children’s Park with Non-Conventional Energy Museum and Musical Fountain. The Children enjoy a lot with the facilities available here.

Marine Drive:

Marine Drive is considered to be one of the most beautiful part of Kochy city. The marine walk is the main hangout for the local populace as the view of the backwaters and the harbour from here is excellent.

Nearest Visiting places

Kodanad:

It is one of the largest elephant training centres of South India. The beautiful river Periyar flows in the north of this place. The elephants are mainly trained for Safari. There is also a small zoo here.

Madhavan Nayar Foundation:

It is situated about 8 km from Ernakulam town at Edapally. It has life size figures revealing the historic episodes and events from the Neolithic to the neoteric era. The art gallery has 200 original paintings and sculptures, which are the works of the contemporary Indian artists. The light and sound shows with English and Malayalam commentaries attract a number of visitors.

Malayatoor:

Malayatoor is famous for the Catholic Church built on the 609 m high Malayatoor hill. This hill is dedicated to St. Thomas. Thousands of devotees visit this shrine to participate in the annual festival of Malayatoor Perunnal, in the month of March. St. Thomas is believed to have prayed at this shrine.

Chendamangalam:

Chendamangalam is a rare geographical combination of three rivers, seven inlets, hillocks and vast expanses of green plains. The Paliam Palace, abode of the Paliath Achans, hereditary Prime Ministers to the erstwhile Maharajas of Kochi, represents the architectural splendour of Kerala.

Mangalavanam-“ The green lung of Kochi city“

The ecologically sensitive Magalavanam is safely tucked away behind the Ernakulam High Court. This evergreen forest land in the heart of Kochi is a green oasis for many migratory birds as a nesting ground. Visitors to Mangalavanam are captivated by the sheer variety of migratory birds that have nested atop the huge trees.

Cochin Carnival:

Cochin Carnival, December 2 to the New year day, attracts a number of domestic and international tourists each year.

Pierce Leslie Bungalow:

Founded in 1862, this graceful colonial abode, a blend of Portuguese, Dutch and native building style, was the office of the coffee merchants, the Pierce Leslie and Company.

Santa Cruz Basillica Church:

This is Built by the Portuguese, this church was elevated in its rank to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558, and later was declared as a Basilica in 1984 by Pope John Paul II.

Old Harbour House:

Fishner Net, Cochin TravelThis elegant old bungalow built in 1808 is in the possession of Carrit Moran & Co., renowned tea brokers, who now use it as their residence. The house was once a boat club.

Vasco House:

Believed to have been the residence of Vasco da Gama, this is one of the oldest Portuguese residences in Fort Kochi.

Chottanikkara Temple:

Numerous stories attest to the early history of this 10th century temple, where tormented devotees found solace in the diety, Bhagavathi. Today it remains one of the most popular pilgrim sites in Kerala, devotees still floak here seeking liberation from torment.

Parikshith Thampuran Museum:

This museum houses a collection of coins, bronzes, copies of murals and megalithic relics of Kerala.

Vamanamoorthy Temple:

Inscriptions from the 10th to the 13th century are found in this temple in Thrikakkara, near Ernakulam.

Santhanagopala-Krishnaswamy Temple:

The original foundation of this temple was laid in 947 AD according to the inscriptions found here.

Dutch Palace:

Originally built by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century, the Dutch Palace or Mattancherry Palace is located at Mattancherry. It was presented to the Kochi Maharaja in 1555 AD and later taken over by the Dutch who carried out repairs.

Madhavan Nayar Foundation:

Jewish Synagogue:

The Synagogue at Mattancherry built in 1568 is the oldest Synagogue in the Common Wealth Countries. It was partially destroyed in the war of 1662, but was rebuilt by Dutch.

Maniyanthram hills:

Maniyanthram hills 22 km from Muvattupuzha near to Vazhakulam, We can really enjoy the beautiful series of gentle hills, valleys and green slopes from the top station of Maniyanthram hill!

Puzhakkara Kavu temple:

The Puzhakkara Kavu, one of the most important temples dedicated to Bhagawati, is situated on the banks of the Muvattupuzha.

Bhoothathankettu dam:

Bhoothathankettu dam is a scenic dam site and tourist spot situated in the village of Pindimana, about 10 km away from the town of Kothamangalam, Thattekad and 50 kms away from the main city of Ernakulam. It is a popular picnic sport with Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary near by. A myth connected with the origin of this place says that this natural fortification of forests and hills was built by Bhoothams (spirit/ghosts) overnight.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary:

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is about 13kms from Kothamangalam and about 71kms from Kochi Airport. Without guide or special permissions it’s a dead end.The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. Ali described Thattekad in the 1930’s as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. Since then much of the forest has been diverted to cultivation and teak and mahogany plantation but what survives gives a glimpse of the phenomenal bird diversity of the once widespread lowland forests of Kerala.

Paittingattilkadavu:

Paittingattilkadavu a very nice place to have bath and sight seeing. River-side Park with rare Butterflies Near Latha Theatre.boating through river.

Check Dam at Rakkad:

Check Dam at Rakkad six Kilometres from Muvattupuzha town. It is a very beautiful place with a waterfall across Muvattupuzha river. You can see Sreekrishna swami Temple near the river.The check dam situated in rackad,rackad is a beautiful villege.Nice to watch.

Help Line/Phone Number

ET North Police Station
Ernakulam, Kerala.

Police Station Edappally
Ernakulam, Kerala.

Hill palace police station
Ernakulam, Kerala.

Tripunithura Police Station
Tripunithura, Ernakulam,Kerala.

Nearest Hospital:

Gyno Speciality Hospital
Internatioal Airport Junction, Athani
Ernakulam, Kerala 680585
Tel: 0484 2475031.

Nairs Hospital
Nairs Hospital, N H Bypass
Ernakulam, Kerala 682304
Tel: 0484 2302666.

Chaithanya Eye Hospital
Near Sree Krishna Temple, Ravipuram Road
Ernakulam, Kerala 680016
Tel: 0484 2357135

Vijaya Insitute Of Medical Sciences
Kamadhenu Apartments,
Kaloor Road, Kadavanthara
Kochi, Kerala 682020
Tel: 0484 2205261

Society/Community Phone Number

Chavara Cultural Centre
Near South Station, Kochi - 682011
Phone. : (0484) 4070250

Location info

Address: Kochi city, Ernakulam(kochi), Kerala, India.
District: Ernakulam district.
Nearest City: Kalady, Kochiand Fort Kochi.
Best time to visit:

Things to do at Kerala Kathakali Centre

You can see all the arts and cultural activities, National and International seminars and dances.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Kerala cuisine — fish curry, appam with stew, puttu, and Kerala sadhya — is widely available and famously delicious.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available in the nearest town or city. Options range from homestays to luxury resorts. Kerala’s homestay network is excellent and offers authentic local experiences.

Climate & weather

Kerala has a tropical monsoon climate with warm, humid conditions year-round. The best time to visit is November to February, when temperatures are a pleasant 22°C–30°C with low humidity and clear skies. March–May is hot and humid (up to 36°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall — the landscape transforms into lush green and this is the best time for Ayurvedic treatments. The northeast monsoon (October–November) brings shorter showers. Hill stations (Munnar, Wayanad) remain cooler year-round.