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Kochi is one of the most vibrant towns in Kerala, South India. It epitomises the rich local culture, delving into diverse festivals. Other religious events that dot the calendar attract people from all walks of life to the famed Sivarathri celebrations and the Onam harvest festival. It also hosts some events on its cultural calendar, from the famous Cochin Carnival and Kochi Muziris Biennale. The festivals in Kochi unfold the city’s cultural and creative talent in front of the world audience.
6 Religious Festivals of Kochi
Kochi is the land of scenic beauty and cultural assimilation here are some Certain religious popular festivals of Kochi that are celebrated by locals every year:
1. Onam
Photo: Yugaljosh / Wikimedia Commons
Onam is the famous festival of Kochi celebrated with much fanfare and religiosity. This is a harvest festival in memory of the mythical King Mahabali; it is a ten-day festival that starts from Atham to Thiru Onam or Thiruvonam, the holy day of Onam. It also presents several cultural activities and rituals that include the Athachamayam procession, which marks the opening of all festivities. The procession mentioned above consists of caparisoned elephants, floats of epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, folk art forms, and musical ensembles.
Best Month To Visit: August or September
Suggested Read: Parasurama Temple
2. Sivarathri
Photo: Tuxanlee / Wikimedia Commons
Celebrated in dedication to Lord Shiva, Sivarathri is another important festival of Kochi. Sivarathri is relished with great fanfare in Kochi, more precisely in its celebrations that are held at the Aluva Manappuram Temple, which lies on the banks of the River Periyar. In the evening, more than 500 priests will enact strenuous rites and pujas all through the night. Devotees pray specially, fast, and spend nightlong vigils. Cultural programs of devotional music, cultural events, and temporary shrines turn this riverside into one of spirituality.
Best Month To Visit: February or March
3. Chandanakkudam
Photo: Vis M / Wikimedia Commons
The other Kochi’s main festival, which is conducted in the Kanjiramattom Mosque in Ernakulam District, is the Chandanakkudam. This festival is held every January and comprises a procession of hundreds of pilgrims with earthen pots smeared with sandal paste and a mixture filled with coins. Caparisoned elephants and colourfully dressed people accompany this procession with different Muslim artistic performances such as Duffmuttu, oppana, Mappilapattu, and Kkolkali. This festival is such a rare opportunity to witness such elaborate performances.
Best Month To Visit: January
Suggested Read: Thrissur Museum
4. Yosakoi Festival
Photo: Isabelle + Stéphane Gallay / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Yosakoi Festival is one of the major summer dance festivals in Kochi City. This energetic festival combines group dancing in colourful costumes to music arranged from the folk song “Yosakoi-Bushi.” It attracts nearly 200 teams and about 20,000 dancers not only within Japan but also globally. This makes this festival very colourful and attractive due to the wildly different costumes and choreography. Festivals are celebrated in many different places in the city, and the main dates of celebration are from the 9th to the 12th of August annually.
Best Month To Visit: August
5. Vishu
Photo: Aroonkalandy / Wikimedia Commons
Vishu, which is widely considered the New Year of Kerala, is one of the greatest festivals of Kerala because everyone wakes up to the beautiful sight of Vishukkani. The reception consists of a design that has rice, fruits, vegetables, flowers, a mirror, and coins signifying pleasant things in the new year. Fireworks add a burst of energy to the festivities as they brighten the sky. Specialities are taken the last time by numerous dishes that are served on banana leaves to somehow enhance the day by spending more time together with the family.
Best Month To Visit: Celebrated in the month of Medam, which corresponds to April in the Gregorian calendar.
Suggested Read: Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Navaratri
Photo: Challiyan / Wikimedia Commons
Most of the festivals documented here are indeed sacred in the state of Kerala, however, Navaratri, which is in September-October, is of much spiritual importance in the state because the nine nights are dedicated to the goddess Durga in any form. Every day of Navratri is considered the day of prayers and is moving forward towards the last three days of Durgashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijayadashami which are more important days. Tiny and exquisite kolams, rangolis, and home designs with beautiful floral motifs are intended to be a joy to the faces.
Best Month To Visit: Celebrated in the Malayalam month of Kanni (September-October)
4 Cultural Festivals of Kochi
In addition to religious festivals, there are many cultural festivals in Kochi. Have a closer look at them:
1. Cochin Carnival
Photo: Agustinagava / Wikimedia Commons
Cochin Carnival is a merrymaking fest celebrated in the last ten days of December at Fort Kochi. This festival combines the traditional Kerala festivals, Onam and Vishu, with the North Indian Hindu festivals like Holi. The key characteristics of the festival include rows of cultural performances, traditional dances, and folk music. The carnival itself displays the rich cultural heritage of Kochi, making them one and broadly bridging their foundations.
Suggested Read: Chandragiri Fort Kerala
2. Kochi-Muziris Biennale
Photo: Irfan Vnb / Wikimedia Commons
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale, the largest contemporary art event in the country, received its initiation in the year 2012. This international exhibition happens every two years and changes Kochi into a vivid canvas of creativity. Works range from installations, paintings, and sculptures to films and performances of established and young artists from all over the world. It takes place within different historical and contemporary spaces in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, merging the rich cultural heritage of Kochi with the new contemporary articulation of art.
3. Kochi International Film Festival
Photo: Herbertkikoy / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Kochi International Film Festival is an annual celebration that has brought together film enthusiasts, critics, and filmmakers from all over the world to the cultural hub of Kerala. A vast range of international and Indian films are specially selected and showcased at the festival, mainly focusing on independent and art house films. It comprises screenings, discussions with panellists, masterclasses, and networking-aided assistance to help move forward the cultural exchange and creative dialogue.
Suggested Read: Muniyara Caves
4. Indira Gandhi Boat Race
Photo: Manoj Karingamadathil / Wikimedia Commons
The Indira Gandhi Boat Race is another annual event held at the beautiful backwaters with scenic backgrounds that Kochi offers. This is a spectacular show of the traditional water prowess of Kerala, Chundan Vallam—one long canoe, powered with hundreds of rowers, as many as 100 rowers in one. Several classes compete, powering their boats through the water in remarkable synchronisation and speed. Thousands of on-shore spectators always flock to this event to see this unique cultural tradition in action.
Kochi is a city that celebrates its cultural and religious heritage with great enthusiasm and devotion. Many festivals in Kochi and other events that take place at different times of the year reflect the city’s eclectic traditions and bring people from all walks of life together. Have your tour planned today with TripXL and get soaked into the bright culture and traditions which this fascinating city has on offer.
Cover Photo: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / Wikimedia Commons
