Kochi vs Cochin
Cochin is a popular tourist destination frequented by tourists from all parts of the world. It is a beautiful coastal city along the western coast of India that lies in the southern part of the country. However, tourists coming over to this port city in India are confused because they see the name of the city being pronounced as Cochi and not Cochin. To compound the mystery is a third name Ernakulum used for the city by the locals. This article attempts to find if there is any difference between Kochi and Cochin.
Cochin
Cochin, also called the Gateway to Kerala, is a coastal city along the south west coast of India that has been the entry point to India for all foreigners right from the Chinese and the Arabs to the Portuguese, Dutch and the British. The city carries cultural influences from all foreign powers with the development of the city credited mostly to the colonial times. Being a port city, Cochin has always been of strategic importance, and it is today one of the most important commercial centers of the state of Kerala. In fact, it would be better to refer it as the industrial capital of this southern state in India. The city not just has an international sea port but also an international airport connecting it to all important cities of the world.
Kochi
If you have chosen Kochi as your destination for a vacation, you might be surprised to arrive in the city and read the name of the airport as Cochin International Airport. Here, is nothing to be confused as Cochin, in fact, is the original name of the city given to it by the colonial powers, and this is why you see the name of the airport as Cochin and not Cochi. International tourists still call the coastal city as Cochin, but the state government has changed the name of the city to Kochi. Cochin aka Kochi was originally a small coastal city but because of its strategic location and commercial importance, it has grown into a very large city that spreads into Ernakulum district of the state. This is why natives also call it Ernakulum along with Kochi.
What is the difference between Kochi and Cochin?
• There is no difference between Cochin and Kochi and these are the two names of the same coastal city in the state of Kerala that is also referred to as Ernakulum.
• Though still referred to as Cochin by most people in India and abroad, the name of the city has been changed to Kochi by the local administration.