INDIA KERALA -FESTIVALS IN KOCHI

FESTIVALS IN KOCHI

Here’s information about some major fairs and festivals celebrated in Kochi city of Kerala.

COCHIN FESTIVAL

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.

MALAYATOOR PERUNAL

The festival of Malayatoor Perunnal is celebrated in the months of March /April every year. It falls on the Sunday after Easter and is organized at the world famous Catholic Church at Malayatoor, situated near the Cochin city of Kerala.

JEWISH FESTIVALS

There are many stories pertaining to the migration of Jews to the Cochin city of Kerala.

THALAPOLI

Thalapoli Mahotshavam of Ponneth Devo Kshethram is held every year in the Malayalam month of Makara Masam, which usually falls around the month of February. The Thalapoli festival begins on pooruruttathi and concludes n Bharani and the five days of puja functions take place in a very grand style.

UTSAVAM

Utsavam is a cultural festival evolved by the Kerala tourism to position the entire state as an ideal destination among tourists. As such, the Utsavam comprises a number of traditional art forms of Kerala like dance, music, and other dance based performances.

ATHACHAMAYAM

Athachmayam , a cultural gala that marks the beginning of the 10 day Onam festival in Kerala , is a rare chance to enjoy almost all the folk art forms of God ‘s Own Country. Athachamayam is conducted every year on the Atham asterism of the Malayalam month Chingam (roughly August / September) at the historical town of Thripunithura. The festival, which is celebrated to commemorate the legendary victory of the Raja (King) of Kochi, is also an occasion to witness almost all the folk art forms of Kerala.

A colourful procession, which is part of this festival, reminds the customary procession of the king along with his entourage to the Thripunithura fort. This was also the occasion for his subjects to greet the king and see him very close. The procession, though without the king, still retains its majestic charm and is conducted in a spectacular manner. Caparisoned elephants, varieties of folk art forms, floats and musical ensembles together form part of the procession.

Onam, the most popular festival of Keralalites can be traced to the primitive harvest festival and also to the myth regarding King Mahabali the benevolent ruler who brought peace and prosperity to Keralites.

COCHIN CARNIVAL

Time of celebration: last week of December Main Attractions: A massive procession of Caparisoned elephants, games and partying. 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. The inception of the Kochi Carnival can be traced back to the Portuguese New Year revelry, held here during the colonial days. Gradually, it evolved to take the form of what is today popularly called the Cochin Carnival of Kerala.