Fort Kochi: The annual revelry of Cochin Carnival would begin on Sunday December 8 in Fort Kochi, which will be observed as the day of solidarity.
The day would begin by paying homage to the martyrs at the war memorial at the St Francis Church premises in Fort Kochi around 9 am.
INS Dronacharya Commanding Officer Sunil Kumar Roy of the Indian Navy, Mayor Soumini Jain, sub-collector Snehil Kumar Singh IAS, N S Shaji of the Carnival committee, C V Divakaran on behalf of the retired servicemen, and C Vishwambaran of the Madras Regiment would place floral wreaths at the memorial.
After the military guard of honour, the church's choir group would render a song for peace. This would be followed by a pledge of solidarity administered by the retired servicemen.
Soldiers, family members of martyrs, NCC cadets, school students, Carnival club members and general public would take part.
A procession would be taken out from Veli in Fort Kochi around 5 pm on December 14. The Carnival flag would be hoisted by K J Maxi MLA at the Vasco da Gama square around 9 am on December 15. Deputy Mayor K R Premkumar would be the chief guest.
Cultural programmes would be held at the Vasco da Gama square by 6 pm. In the following days, mega show, ganamela, folk songs, western music, fashion show, drama, and DJ would be held.
These would be held at various parts of Fort Kochi such as Pallathuraman Ground, Dronacharya Ground, Parade Ground, Vasco da Gama square, Nehru Park, Pattalam Ground and Fort Kochi beach.
Sporting events such as cycle race, beach motorbike race, beach football, veterans' football, boxing, gatta gusthi, swimming, rowing, long-distance running, kalaripayattu, rangoli, and kayaking would be held over the subsequent days. The inauguration of the light decorations would be held on December 23.
The DJ would be held at Pallathuraman Ground on December 29 and 30, while the Machan's Music Fest would be held at the Parade Ground on December 29, 30 and 31.
Cultural events, heralding the New Year, would be held from 6 pm on December 31.
At 12 midnight, Pappanji would be set ablaze, followed by fireworks' display.
The Carnival rally would begin from the Veli Ground around 3 pm on January 1. Hibi Eden MP, Mayor Soumini Jain, MLAs K J Maxi, John Fernandes, M Swaraj, T J Vinod and District Collector S Suhas IAS would take part in the rally, said Chamber of Commerce vice-chairman Sunny Malayil, Ramesh Amaravathi, N S Shaji and P J Josy and Abhilash Thoppil.
People, who would like to participate in the various events, should register their names at the Cochin Carnival office on the River Road.
How to reach Cochin Carnival
Nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport but it is 43 km from Fort Kochi. You can take low-floor AC buses from the airport to Fort Kochi or from airport to Vytilla Hub and then to Fort Kochi.
The nearest railway station to Fort Kochi is the Ernakulam Town station from where 3-wheelers and cabs are available to take visitors to the ferry. The ferry then goes straight to Fort Kochi for minima rates.