About:

Cochin Carnival is held at Fort Kochi, Ernakulam District, Kerala. If there is one festival the whole of Kochi impatiently awaits every year, then it's the Cochin Carnival held in the last week of December. Fort Kochi is decked up like a bride and tourists, not only from within the country, but also outside, flock to this lovely port city to participate in the revelry. It is a merry making festival attended by hundreds of people. The carnival is as old as the days of the colonial rule when the Portuguese New Year revelry was held during the same time.The Keralites domiciling across the entire city of Kochi just cast away all their worries and vexations and get drenched in the unadulterated spirit of the Cochin Carnival.The commencement of the CochinStarting since Solidarity Day on December 22, it is a ten-day long festival and is usually ended by a flag-off in dignified silence to pay tribute to the brave martyrs who died while fighting for their motherland. It was revived in 1984. Preparations generally begin months in advance for hosting the unique games, fairs and partying during the Carnival of Cochin. Dressed up in fancy dresses, everyone, children in particular, is seen bursting with enthusiasm. The highlight of the carnival is the massive procession on the New Year's Day. Led by an embellished elephant accompanied by drums and music, the carnival is a moment to behold. There is also staging of different South and North Indian folk dances during the festivity.

This colorful fiesta attracts the largest number of visitors on New Year's Day. On this day a grand procession is taken out. Elephants in ornamental trappings are the chief attraction of this splendid parade. One can also witness the performances of talented folk artists in this magnificent pageant.Events like Sea-Swimming, Beach Volleyball, Beach Football and Beach Bike Race make the Cochin carnival more interesting and amusing. Even prizes are awarded to the competition winners. On the New Year's Day elephants are brought out on the roads and the tunes of the instrument known as 'Panchavadyam' reverberates throughout the city.The last 10 days of December white rules Kochi. All avenues, establishments and houses in Kochi wear white paper buntings. All available space in the streets host impromptu competitions and multi-faceted celebrations. The mood of gaiety and color is further heightened by the huge procession on the eve of the New Year. The Carnival seems to be crowned by this procession which is indeed a very colorful affair. The procession is headed by a caparisoned elephant. The rest of the procession has the drum and the music players, the varied forms of folk art, the fabulous floats, the Panchavadyam and many others.

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History:

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Interesting things to Visit:

Ernakulam Backwaters:

Ernakulam at kochi is More popular as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Kochi is a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake.Some of these picturesque islands are Bolgatty, Vypeen, Gundu and Vallarpadam. The lake opens out into the Arabian Sea here to form one of the finest and the Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and Gritish have all left their mark here.natural harbours in the world.

Historical Museum :

Important scenes of Kerala history are portrayed through through Sculptures. Greeting the visitor outside is a statue of Parasurama ,the mythological safe who is said to have created Kerala.

Bastion Bunglow :

Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667 AD, Bastion Bungalow get its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old, Dutch fort.

Bolghatty:

Bolghatty palace built by the Dutch in 1744. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin. Today it is a hotel run by K.T.D.C. The grounds have a small golf course & several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour & the sea.

Cherai Beach:

Cherai Beach offers a unique combination of sea and backwaters rimmed by lush green coconut palms.

Children's Park :

A high-tech children's Park with Non-Conventional Energy Museum and Musical Fountain. The Children enjoy a lot with the facilities available here.

Marine Drive:

Marine Drive is considered to be one of the most beautiful part of Kochy city. The marine walk is the main hangout for the local populace as the view of the backwaters and the harbour from here is excellent.

St. Francis Church:

It is the first European Church in India. Vasco da Gama, the first European to come to India was buried here at the St. Francis Church. St. Francis Church was originally dedicated to Santo Antonio, the patron Saint of Portugal. Situated 2 Km west of Mattancherry in Fort Cochin, St. Francis Church is a living historical monument and one of the main tourist attractions in Fort Kochi.

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Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:

Tripunithura Police Station
Tripunithura, Ernakulam,Kerala.

ET North Police Station
Ernakulam, Kerala.

Police Station Edappally
Ernakulam, Kerala.

Hill palace police station
Ernakulam, Kerala.

Nearest Hospital:

Sevana Medineeds Pvt Ltd.
Kizakkambalam, Ernakulam (Dist)
Kochi, Kerala 683562
Tel: 0484 2680029.

Al Shifa Super Speciality Hospital For Piles
Near Ksrtc, Rajaji Road
Ernakulam, Kerala 680035
Tel: 0484 2363777.

Chaithanya Eye Hospital
Near Sree Krishna Temple
Ravipuram Road
Ernakulam, Kerala 680016
Tel: 0484 2357135

Gyno Speciality Hospital
Internatioal Airport Junction, Athani
Ernakulam, Kerala 680585
Tel: 0484 2475031.

Nairs Hospital
Nairs Hospital, N H Bypass
Ernakulam, Kerala 682304
Tel: 0484 2302666.

Chaithanya Eye Hospital
Near Sree Krishna Temple, Ravipuram Road
Ernakulam, Kerala 680016
Tel: 0484 2357135.

Vijaya Insitute Of Medical Sciences
Kamadhenu Apartments,
Kaloor Road, Kadavanthara
Kochi, Kerala 682020
Tel: 0484 2205261.

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