Cochin Carnival starts from 18 th December 2011- Cochin Carnival 2011

Cochin Carnival is held every year during the last week of December in Fort Kochi. This Year, the festival will begin from this Sunday-11^th December 2011. This festival is organized by the Cochin Corporation, District Tourist Promotion council and Carnival  Festival committee. It is a merry making festival attended by thousands of people. Shri. Dominic Presentation will hoist the carnival flag at 9 AM on 18^th.   The programmes will be inaugurated by the District Collector Shri. Sheikh Pareeth.  

The main programmes will include  competition on  Beach Foot ball, Bike race, Swimming , Kayaking, wrestling, Ghurash  Championship, Marathon from Kannammali to Fort Kochi, Karatte, Kite flying , ‘Thekkoottam Kali,’ ‘Kolam Varakkal’,  Vatam vali, Light music competition, Cycle speed race, Shuttle Tournament, Water walking etc.  All the houses and trees will be illuminated during this season. Cultural programmes will be held  on all these days. 

This year new programmes like Gugalbandhi, Gazal Night, Fusion show, Kids Fest and many kinds of new dances will also be included.  Regular programmes of Orchestra, Kathakali, Veena, Comedy show, Rock show, Western music, Thiruvathira, Dances, Mega shows, Music shows will also be arranged.   In the Fort Kochi Veli ground carnival fare is also arranged with amusement faciiities. 

On January 1^st the massive carnival procession will start from Veli ground which will be led by a caparisoned elephant and accompanied by drums and music, spectacular floats, different folk art forms, Panchavadyam and several Indian dance forms.

The First prize  for the floats will be Rs. 25,000/- Second prize Rs. 20,000/- and third prize  Rs. 15,000/-. 

For the  group fancy dress competion the prizes will be Rs. 10,000/-, 7500/- and 5000/- for the 1^st 2^nd and 3^rd positions respectively.

For single Fancy dress competition first prize will be Rs. 5000/-. A Total of 1,60,000 rupees has been accounted for the prizes. 

Fishing nets (Cheenavala) of Fort Kochi will be illuminated in these days.  The Organisers informed that they will be bringing  tourists from Alappuzha in the House Boats to see the programmes here.  They are also planning some other cultural programmes  as a part of Grand Kerala shopping festival here at Fort Kochi. 

Today, it has more of a party like atmosphere enjoyed by the youth. Games, competitions and illumination during these days give Fort Kochi a festive look. The highlight of the Carnival is the massive procession on the New Year Day. Although the fair commences only by Dec 18, people in Fort Kochi  have already plunged into a jovial mood.  






More reports on Kochi Carnival- Cochin carnival.




On sunday 10th the event was launched by observing the 'International Year of Peace.  The ceremony was attended by over 500 people from all walks of life.  They'e joined by representative of various organisations and the men in uniform to remember the nation's warriors who lost their lives in action.  They prayed for a war-free world peace reigning supreme.