Cochin Carnival

Cochin Carnival is a spectacular event that celebrates the multi-ethnic culture of Kochi, the land which was the gateway to the famed spice route of India. The city of Kochi in Kerala’s Ernakulam district is a delightful melange of the legacies of different cultures. The heritage of the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French, the British, and the Chinese, have fused together to create a delightful mosaic. The epicentre of the Cochin Carnival is in Fort Kochi which has been a mute witness to the city’s history for many centuries. The event is organized under the auspices of the Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council, the Kochi Municipal Corporation, and the Kerala State Tourism Department. The Cochin Carnival revels in the old-world charm of Fort Kochi and is a colourful cultural extravaganza that wraps the city in a web of celebration. It is a festival that transcends the barriers of caste, nationality, and religion, and binds together everyone with the glue of shared celebration and joy. The Cochin Carnival showcases the diversity of cultures of the region and that of India. The cultural programmes are a mesmerizing potpourri of selected dance and music shows from across the country. Garba from Gujarat rubs shoulders with Bhangra from Punjab, as everyone jives to the rhythm of traditional drums.The festival has a variety of competitions that promise excitement and fun, these include beach football, beach volleyball, swimming, bike racing, tug of war, and much more. The festival climaxes when the clock strikes the midnight hour on the 31st of December. The effigy of Pappanji is engulfed in flames as the old year makes an exit and the New Year is ushered in. Pappanji is a metaphor for old ideas and perspectives, and the burning of its effigy represents the surge of new energy, new ideas, and new hopes and dreams. The New Year, 1st of January sees a grand procession to celebrate the advent of the New Year and attracts large crowds. The procession features colourful pageantry and one can see India’s colourful cultural bouquet in full bloom. Caparisoned elephants lead the procession with folk musicians, dancers, and other performers creating an enticing tableau that remains etched in the memories of the viewers for a long time. The Cochin Carnival is a great opportunity for an immersive experience in the diverse culture of Kerala and India.