This Carnival is the biggest celebration of Fort Cochin. This ten-day celebration ends on New Year’s Eve. It is famous for its colorful costumes, street parades, decorated elephants, music, dance and much more. Why is it more fun to visit a destination during a celebration? You can find all the hidden delights out in the light.

If you are willing to enjoy your vacation in a merry making style, Cochin Carnival is the right time to visit Kerala. Do not worry about the floods. Kerala all set for tourism. Read here : Kerala Is Ready For Tourism Season after the Floods and Is Better Than Before

History of Cochin Carnival

This carnival is very much linked with Portuguese custom. During the colonial years, Portuguese took their New Year celebrations to the state and it eventually turned into the Cochin Carnival. Portuguese ruled the region during 16^th and 17^th century and Fort Kochi was their capital. Thus, it became the main ground for their celebrations. The European style of merry making, partying and celebration is continued until date.

At the strike of mid-night on New Year’s Eve, an effigy of an old man is burnt. It resembles the end of the old year and birth of New Year. The carnival took its way into the culture, 33 years ago. In 1984, the first old man effigy was burnt in the beach. It is not something new to the world or even to India. It is tradition among people to burnt effigies of figures who are evil. In India, during Dusherra, effigy of Raavan is burnt. The carnival begins by appreciating the Portuguese culture, by hoisting a flag on the Vasco Da Gama square.

Also Read : Best Places To Celebrate Christmas in India

How Cochin Carnival is Celebrated?

The main pillars of this carnival is participation, adventure, progress, peace and environment. Celebrations starts on 25^th of December and on the New Year’s Day. The carnival is celebrated in Fort Kochi. It is a combination of Christmas and New Year celebration. The carnival starts with the hoisting of Carnival Flag, on the Vasco Da Gama Square. The aim of the celebration is to decorate and celebrate Kerala as a bride. You can find decorations everywhere in the country. Fairs, games, sports, art displays and many other celebrations are conducted to create a fiesta.

If you are looking to cover this carnival, choose our exclusive tour packages,

• 7 Days – Mumbai Goa Cochin Tour
• 11 Days – Goa with Kerala Tours
• 11 Days – Kerala Village tour
• 15 days – Kerala Tour

Also Read : 20 Best Places to Visit in New Year in India

Things to do in Cochin Carnival

1. Enjoy numerous competitions like beach volleyball, swimming, tug of war, kayaking, cycle race, wrestling, boxing and others.

2. People of all ages take part in the fancy costume parade. Tourists are more than welcome to be a part of this celebration.

3. On the New Year’s Day, a large procession takes place with Chenda Melam, traditional dance and music, from Fort Kochi and ends in the beach, by late night.

4. Visit Veli ground, to watch the largest Christmas tree of the town. It is actually a banyan tree, lit up with lights.

5. If you are up for shopping, visit Vasco Da Gama Square and streets around it. Top items to buy are artifacts, garments, artificial jewels and others.

6. Enjoy the Panchavadyam music; it is a harmonious blend of music from five different instruments.

7. Keep your late nights free for musical concerts.

8. This is the best time to enjoy numerous delicacies. You can find restaurants of varying budget level around the fort.

Also Read : Top Tourist Attractions in Cochin

How to Reach Cochin

The nearest airport to Fort Kochi is the Cochin International Airport. It is located in Nedumbassery, which is around 37 km away from Fort Kochi. It is an international airport covering important tourist destinations around the globe with Kerala. From the airport, you can find many road transportation to reach the fort, directly.

If you are choosing train, the nearest train junction is at Ernakulum, which is 12 km away from the fort. From the station, you can find numerous cabs, autos and buses to reach the fort, directly.

Ferry services are available from Ernakulam jetty to the Fort. You can also find buses, cabs, autos and many other road services to reach the fort, from any part of the state.

Complete Info : How to Reach Cochin

Are you visiting in December? Read Top Fairs and Festivals in India in December to learn about more festival and fairs to cover. With Travelogy India, you can create your own itinerary too.

Also Read : Top 12 Things to do in Kochi

Best Tour Packages Covering Cochin

• 5 Days – Kerala Backwaters Tour
• 8 Days – Goa Tour with Kerala & Mumbai
• 10 Days – Best of Kerala Tour
• 12 Days – Kerala Family Tour
• 13 Days – Kerala Hill Stations Tour

Major Fairs and Festivals in India

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