Multicultural and tropical, Kochi is Kerala's festival capital.
Traditional folk art, flower displays and festivals highlight Kochi as the place to be.Kochi, a fascinating destination on the southwest coast of India, in the state of Kerala, is a stunning and thriving city. Travelling to Kochi from London Heathrow involves picking up connections with internal flights from the major airports of Mumbai or Delhi. The city, which enjoys a tropical climate and has a prosperous and cosmopolitan culture, attracts thousands of visitors each year.
As a busy trade destination, Kochi has become home to many different religions and ethnic groups, adding to its multicultural atmosphere.
Throughout the year there are several festivals, mirroring the Malayalam cultures. They include, the Onam festival and the Vishu and Kochi carnivals. The Onam festival, which coincides with the harvest season in the region, is one of their most important times of the year. It is widely celebrated and is one of the rare times that the local people can enjoy time off work. The event is held in late August and early September and can run for around 10 days. Local women rejoice in decorating themselves in new clothes and jewellery and each house is adorned in beautiful flowers and the traditional Indian folk art, known as Rangoli. It is a spectacular sight and definitely a fantastic chance to see this cosmopolitan city at its best. Onam is known throughout Kochi as an event that brings cultures together and one that involves everybody.
Vishu is another culturally important festival, which coincides with the celebration of New Year, which occurs around 14th April.
Traditionally, actions taken during Vishu reflect the year to come, so receiving gifts or pleasant company is seen as a good luck.
