We use cookies to optimise our website functionality and give you the best experience possible. Please, accept our Terms and Conditions. ACCEPT
THE COCHIN CARNIVAL COMPLETED 35 YEARS ON JANUARY 1, 2020!
Head to Kerala for one of the most happening New Years party destinations around the world! The Cochin Carnival is a ten-day carnival which culminates on New Years that is full of colourful costumes, parties, parades elephants and Hijras.
Cochin Carnival is the time of year when the city of Kochi, India transforms into a madhouse. It is a 10-day celebration that leads up to the New Year and sees an array of activities and events. The Cochin Carnival is about celebrating life in all its vigour.
Cochin Carnival is held annually in mostly in the last two weeks of December in the lead up to New Years Eve with celebrations culminating on the 1st of January. The official 2019-2020 Cochin Carnival dates start on the 25th December 2019 and finish on 1st January 2020.
The city of Kochi located in the Indian state of Kerala, sits on the south west coast of India and borders the Laccadive Sea. Fort Kochi is the centre of all the Cochin Carnival activities that occur during the Cochin Carnival. Fort Kochi is a region within the city of Kochi. The local people of Kochi are called Kochiites and are known for their vibrant lifestyle which is elevated during carnival. The Cochin Carnival brings lots of joy and merriment to the people and the energy levels in the city rise during carnival.
During the Cochin Carnival the town is all beautifully decorated and lit up. Literally every part of the city is full with colourful lights, graffiti work and Christmas decorations. The streets become alive with gorgeous processions full of colourful costumes, and embellished elephants. There is lots of music and dance, and lots and lots of merrymaking and fun occurring.
The carnival begins with the carnival flag being hosted at Vasco da Gama Square. The carnival has lots of impressive events like food festivals, art shows, music concerts, sport events and so much more to enhance the festive spirit.
Preparations for Cochin Carnival begin months in advance with parties, fairs, games, dance competitions and fancy-dress parades. The festival finishes with the burning of a huge giant effigy who represents Santa Clause on New Years Eve.
Cochin Carnivals origins actually date back to when the Portuguese used to rule over the area from 1503 to 1663. The Portuguese used to welcome the New Year with lots of grand parties and festivities. Fort Kochi was actually the capital city for the Portuguese colonisers at the time and hence the main place for the celebrations.
This tradition actually died out after the end of colonial rule but only to be revived in the 20th century. Three young locals revived this celebration back in 1984 to honour the UN’s declaration of the ‘International Year of the Youth’ and were supported by over 150 youth groups and organisations.
Cochin Carnival has five main principals which are Participation, Peace, Progress, Adventure and Environment, which are the essence of carnival. Because of these principals Kochi is decorated in white decorations, which is the official carnival colour because white symbolises peace.
When the clock strikes twelve on midnight NYE, the giant carnival effigy of Papaanji is burnt. Papaanji is a giant effigy of old man who resembles Santa Clause. This symbolically casts away evil and bids goodbye to the previous year and ushers in the new year. There is also an incredible NYE firework show and a massive gala party.
BURNING OF PAPPANJI
Burning of Pappanji is a public celebration on the midnight of December 31 to usher in New Year’s festivities and carnival at Fort Kochi. Pappanji, Portuguese for ‘old man', is the effigy of a suited and booted, old man symbolising the passing of the old year, and is rooted in the Portuguese, Dutch and other European influences on Fort Kochi. Read more>>
The New Years Day Procession is the highlight of the event and attracts the largest crowds. The procession is led by beautifully decorated elephants. It is a colourful procession featuring incredible performances from talented folk musicians, artists and dancers. The procession is an amalgamation of different Indian cultures including Anglo Indian, Gujarati and Konkani.
Cochin Carnival also has a competitive element to it. There are various games to compete in including beach football, beach volleyball, a bike race, sea swimming and even a tug a war. The events are good spirited fun and while the winners get prizes, the competition is more about the spirit of participation.
If you are coming from overseas you can fly to the Cochin International Airport which is about 40km away from Fort Kochi and is a well-connected airport. If you are coming domestically you can easily take a train as there are two major train stations in Kochi – Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town.
The best way to get around carnival is on foot. There is plenty of local transport that can get you to Fort Kochi if you are not staying close by it’s very easy to use cabs to get around the city.
SOURCE:
Dedicated to everyone, who is searching answers to these questions: What is ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style?
Founder & Director of Ayurveda Trails, healing collection of (extra)ordinary people and their stories, whose experiences are transferred into various trails shared by travelers.
VISHU FESTIVAL
NEW YEAR IN KERALA
The Malayalam word kani literally means that which is seen first. The traditional belief is that one's future is a function of what one experiences, that the New Year will be better if one views auspicious joyful things as the first thing on Vishu.
10 REASONS WHY AYURVEDA TRAILS ARE DIFFERENT
Ayurveda trails is using the symbol of mudra as reminder, healing is in your hands. We are creating a small collection of highly specialised ayurveda resorts run by passionate ayurveda experts, who want to keep authentic healing knowledge for modern world.
What is ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style? Ayurveda Trails is dedicated to everyone, who would like to travel and search answers to these questions.
NAVARATRI
Festival of Nine Goddesses
Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations. The worship, accompanied by fasting, takes place in the mornings. Evenings are for feasting and dancing. Each day has a different ritual associated with it.
ONAM
The Harvest Festival in Kerala
Onam is the most popular festival in Kerala. It can be traced to the primitive harvest festival and also to the myth regarding King Mahabali - the benevolent asura ruler who brought peace and prosperity to his country. It is celebrated in August and September.
The importance of the feast to the Kerala's Onam celebration culture is captured in the famous Malayalam proverb: Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam - which means: One must have the Onam lunch even by selling one's property, if need be.
MANALTHEERAM AYURVEDA BEACH VILLAGE
Manaltheeram Ayurveda Beach Village, gives you an opportunity to pamper yourself with a heavenly experience. Enter the world of holistic healing and let Ayurveda and meditation restore your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional equilibrium.
MANALTHEERAM
Dr. Hemalatha Manoj
In Manaltheeram, we believe, that Ayurveda is a divine science of life, our hands should be pure to treat a patient. Sometimes we are not able to cure every one but it is important not to make any mistakes from our hands. We pray to God.
Somatheeram, the world’s first Ayurveda hospital set in a resort ambiance to provide Ayurveda healing and treatments programmes. With its exotic tropical beauty and tranquil hospitality, this getaway is the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation.
The World’s First Ayurveda Tourist Resort: Baby Mathew, in 1985 together with his brother Dr.Pauly Mathew, has founded the world’s first ayurveda tourist resort Somatheeram in Kerala. How has this journey started?
Cliff View Ayurveda Retreat is built in the Bauhaus style, which aims to reunite fine art and functional design, creating practical objects with the soul of artworks. The resort embrace the philosophy of traditional Ayurveda in modern style.
HARIVIHAR HERITAGE
Dr. Sri Kumar
Harivihar, abode of the divine, is a 170 year old painstakingly restored royal heritage homestead located in Calicut. It offers unparalleled experience of staying in a heritage ambience and benefit from the goodness of Ayurveda and Yoga, two great contributions of India to mankind.
I hesitated for publishing this story quite late, but there’s a beauty in rewinding. Makes me appreciate how all those days have become of me. The clever fall of dominoes of life events that led me to still standing. A very happy new year to all!
SwaSwara means your inner voice, this is a place of natural harmony to release, refocus and recalibrate the self. Inspired by the first sound of creation, the resort in Gokarana on Aum Beach is a perfect setting to enable one to hear the voice of the inner self.
Green gram is a powerhouse of nutrition. It has high nutritive value and can be consumed by anyone for improving health. Hence, this superfood is one of the most vital detoxifying agent as well as an energiser that helps to enhance the immunity of the body.
KAIRALI - THE AYURVEDIC HEALING VILLAGE
There is no better place to get inside nature and rejuvenate with natural medicine than the sweet scented forests of Kerala's Pala trees. Time spent at this jungle paradise will allow you to experience the authentic healing practices of India.
