Cochin Carnival & New Years Eve at Fort Cochin

The inception of the Cochin carnival can be traced back to the Portuguese New Year revelry, held here during the colonial days.

Gradually, it has evolved to take the form of what is today popularly called the Cochin Carnival, a merry making festival during the last week of every year at Fort Kochi in Kerala with a grand procession of caparisoned elephants, tableau, games and partying. Fort Kochi is decked up like a bride and tourists from within the country and abroad flock to this scenic port city to participate in the revelry.

The highlight of the carnival is the massive procession on the New Year''s Day. Led by an embellished elephant and accompanied by drums and music, the carnival is a moment to behold and stays with you....well....until the next year! There is also staging of different South and North Indian folk dances during the festivity. Preparations begin months in advance for hosting the carnival games, fairs and partying. Dressed up in fancy costumes, everyone including the children are seen bursting with enthusiasm and unbridled energy.

Color white dominates the concluding 10 days of December, during the carnival. All establishments in town don white paper buntings. The available space on the streets host impromptu competitions and multi-faceted celebrations. Kalam Vara (floor drawing), tug-of-war, bicycle race, swimming in the sea, beach volleyball are some of the programs that take place during the Carnival. The festivities and revelry continue till midnight of December 31st with spectacular fireworks and the carnival parade marking the grand finale on New Year''s Day 2009.

Accommodation in Fort Kochi

Visit link: http://www.karmakerala.com/fortcochin_hotels.htm