Cheena Vala, Fort Kochi

Cheena Vala in Fort Kochi are commonly known as "Chinese fishing nets". It is believed that these nets are set up between 13th and 14th century.

They are fixed land installations for fishing which are 10 m high structure and comprises a cantilever with an outstretched horizontal net spread of size 20 m or more suspended over the sea. Large stones of 30 cm suspended from ropes of different lengths as counterweights at the other end.

Each installation is operated by a team of up to five or seven fishermen. The net is left immersed for a short time within the water, before it is raised by pulling on ropes. The net will when comes out will have a few fishes in them.

All the installation are not operated at the same time. Each of the nets are independent based on the state of the water tide.

Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi is that part of the city towards the south-west of the mainland Kochi. This part of the region has lot of history associated with it. 

The Rajah of Kochi had granted this region to Portuguese in 1503 after they helped him to defeat his enemies in the war. There after it remained with Portuguese for nearly 160 years. Later it was in the procession of Dutch for around 112 years until 1795 and later it moved into hands of British till independence of India.

The architectural style of the buildings and the town layout transports one to past. This part of the city is very different from other areas modern city. 

It has been a fishing village in the Kingdom of Kochi in the pre-colonial Kerala. 

The places of interest here are:

• Southern Naval Command Maritime Museum
• Cochin Thirumala Devaswom
• Indo Portuguese Museum
• Chinese Fishing nets
• Fort Kochi beach
• Dutch Cemetery
• St. Francis Church
• Santa Cruz Basilica
• Bishop's House
• Fort Emmanuel
• Jewish Synagogue
• Mattancherry Palace
• Jain Temple
• Dutch Palace

Images of India - 161

A glimpse of India in black and white. 

A view of IT Park at Cochin