Kerala

On the 24th December 1500 when the first Portuguese fleet called on its port, Cochin became a firm ally of the Portuguese. In 1502 a new expedition under the command of Vasco da Gama arrived at Cochin and the friendship with the Rajah of Cochin was renewed. Soon after the departure of Vasco da Gama the Zamorin of Calicut, enemy of the Portuguese attacked Cochin and destroyed the Portuguese "feitoria". The Rajah of Cochin and his Portuguese allies were forced to withdraw to the island of Vypin. Here they were reinforced by three ships under Francisco de Albuquerque’s leadership and some days later by Duarte Pacheco Pereira an the Calicut troops immediately abandoned the siege.

Cochin was then the seat of the Portuguese in India. Including during the capture of Goa in 1510. The transfer of the capital of Portuguese India to Goa finally took place in 1530. Cochin is one of India's largest ports and houses the major naval base.

Dont's:
When visiting mosques or temples shorts or sleeveless tops are not to be worn. Smoking and the holding of hands, the touching of carvings or statues and the touching of someone's head is not permitted. Removal of shoes prior to entry. These apply to both men and women. In some mosques you will be required to cover your head.

Never point the soles of your feet to another person or statue.

The right hand should be used for all occassions. The left is considered dirty.

When swimming nudity is not allowed, even in remote areas. Women should wear a sarong if they are in public view.

Some animals are considered sacred, please check with local authorities.

Extreme climate, warm inland from April to mid-June falling to almost freezing at night in winter, between November and February. Summers are hot with monsoons between June and September. The climate is pleasant between October and March, blast-furnace hot between April and June, and dripping with humidity between July and September.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens in summer with warmer clothes in winter and on cooler evenings. Waterproofing is essential during monsoons. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September.