Population: 16.6 lakhs, Greater Cochin (1991 census)

Salasar houses the famous Balaji Temple which attracts a large number of devotees from all over India.Shri Hanumanji, the famous Hindu deity of vigour and loyality, having been pleased by the devotion and worship of Shri Mohan Das Mahraj, appeared in the form of a statue on Saturday, Shrawan Sukla Navami, V.S. 1811 at Asota village. The statue was brought to Salasar where the temple was built. Later, the devotees added more buildings to the main temple. Two large fairs are held on Chaitra(April) and Ashwin purnimas(October) every year. Lacs of devotees from all over the country and abroad come and offer their wish before the great Hanumanji in the temple and have 'Darshan' of Shri Balaji throughout the year.

Kothari and Surana Haveli- A group of handsome painted havelis built by two prominent Oswal Jain merchant families, the Kothari and Surana clans. Amongst them are ‘Malji Ka Kamra’ (Malji’s Haveli), an exotic stucco extravagaza built by Malaji Kothari around 1925 and the massive Surana Double Haveli, said to boast 1111 windows and doors built in the 1870s.

Kanhaiyalal Bagla Haveli :- Just south of the main bazaar, this haveli built around 1880 boasts the finest frieze in all the Shekhawati region. It illustrates Dhola and Maru on a camel fleeing the wicked Umra-Sumra, Sassi and Punu side by side on horseback, two set of lovers from folk tales. To the south-west is a mosque, Jama Masjid, and a little Muslim haveli decorated with non-figurative work.

Sethani ka Johara (The Reservoir of the Wealthy Lady) Some 3 km west by the Ratangarh road, a beautiful reservoir built by Bhagwan Das Bagla’s widow as a relief project during the terrible ‘Chhapan Akaal’, the Famine of 1956 V. Samvat (1899AD). The water attracts birds and mammals such as ‘Nilgai’ (blue bull – a large antelope.)

Chhatries: Churu has some good memorial domes, mostly raised to rich merchants, north of the town. Historically the most significant is ‘Aath Kambh Chhatri’ (Eight Pillar Dome) west of the vegetable market. Built in 1776 on a Rajput’s cremation site. Its base has been virtually buried by windblown sand. The interior is covered with murals, one detail depicting an early European mercenary on foot, bearing a musket. Further north are chhatris of the Mantri , Bagla and Lohia merchant families.

Cochin Shopping

The items are of immense beauty for the simple reason that Keralities are gifted artisans. Among Kochi's best buy are metalware, camel-bone carvings, wood carvings, articles made of coconut shels, baboo cane, embroidered screwpine mats; grass mats; and several other types of handicrafts. Kochi also has several antique dealers. Jewellery, readymade garments, and ethnic hand-woven textiles follow closely. The major shopping centres are on M.G.Road which cuts across the heart of the city, and the Marine Drive including Broadway.