There are three important festivals in Kochi - Onam, Vishu and the Cochin carnival.
Onam
Onam is the harvest festival, the celebrations of which go on for around 10days. This festival usually takes place in the month of September and October. In Kochi, the major attraction is the festive background set up by two famous temple towns - Thrikkakkara and Tripunithara. The ten days preceding Onam, sees both these towns come alive with all the festive regalia. At Tripunithara, it's Athachamayam which is a ten day run up to Onam, the day when a huge procession is taken out. It was a custom to mark the victory march of the King of Kochi and today it still retains the majestic charm. The caparisoned elephants, folk art forms, floats and musical ensembles form part of the procession. And at Thrikkakkara, the celebrations are steeped in ritual observances. It is also the time when the shopping picks up with a lot of discount sales.
Vishu
Vishu is the Malayaee new year. It takes place in either April or May. It is one of the most well known festivals in Kochi. The hue for the festival is yellow. For Hindus, it is steeped in rituals. They wake up early in the morning and look at the auspicious vision called the Vishu Kani. It is a small arrangement of yellow flowers, gold, a kind of cucumber and all things yellow in a yellow bowl. Then everyone flocks together for the Vishu Kaineetam, the token money, from the elders of the family, which is pocket money for the kids. You get a feeling that the land too is celebrating, for during this season, the kanikkonna trees (cassia trees) lining the roads bloom with bright yellow flowers. Evenings see a burst of crackers lighting up the skies.
Cochin Carnival
This is not a traditional Malayalee festival. It has its roots in the Portuguese new year. It is held in the last seven days of the year and is mainly celebrated at the renowned Fort Kochi. It is a time for unlimited fun and frolic at the beaches. It is also the time when local fairs and temporary stages for performing arts pop up along the Vasco Da Gama Square.
