Fast Facts :

Celebrated in : Cochin, Kerala

Held in : Last week of December.

Centre of activity : Fort Kochi

Main attraction : A massive procession of caparisoned elephants.

In the last week every year in Fort Kochi in Kerala, Cochin Carnival is held which is a merry making feast. People here celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm. The beginning of this festival starts from the colonial period from when the Portuguese ruled the place. Although the practice of merry making and parting continued for years, every year it has something different in the celebrations. From the year 1984, the celebrations took place on the grander scale.

The main essence of the festival is Adventure, Environment, Participation, Progress and Peace. Here the ambience of the Fort Kochi is packed with joyfulness, when Cochin Carnival Of Kerala is being held .This becomes a ground where people meet; the sight of this place is extremely splendid with differently dressed with people in bright colored clothes.

People meticulously have fun by taking part in various games and activities. Prizes are disseminated to all the winners however; it is only the fortitude of taking part that is of primary significance at this unique and lively Cochin Carnival. Several competitions like Beach Football, Sea Swimming, Beach Volleyball, and Beach Bike Race are held and youngsters eagerly participate.

This colorful carnival pulls a huge figure of visitors on the eve of the New Year’. A magnificent procession is brought out on this eve. Elephants in decorative accessories are the major magnetism of this impressive parade. You can also observe the presentation of endowed folk performers in this glorious pageant. The melody produced by the musical blending of 5 instruments called as ‘Panchavadyam’ is incessantly played. The convoluted displays accumulated on the platforms are just stunning. You can also find people dressed in colorful and fancy dresses.

However, another exclusive feature of this carnival is that though this is feted in Kerala, south Indian State, the Dances of north India are awfully an essential part of the parade. Cochin Carnival is the festival which worth visiting atleast once in the lifetime.