Kochi

 

There are many performing arts complexes across the city, offering a good experience of various artforms and culture. Kochi has the largest number of regular evening Kathakali theaters, offering the best insight into this traditional dance-drama artform of Kerala. Apart from Kathakali, many other events are regularly performed in Kochi.

JT Pac Cultural Theater

Choice house, choice lane, kumbalam. one of the most modern and upscale performing arts complexes, which has regular concerts, drama festivals, dance programs and other arts and cultural activities. a 1000 seater theater, it also has a good gallery and latest visual-audio systems. booking may be necessary to secure seats and the theater has strict dress code regulations.

See India Foundation

Kalathil parambil crossroad, nr valanjambalam temple, chitoor rd, ☎ +91 484 2376471. an evening kathakali theater, where daily performances take place from 6pm-8pm. this is the oldest and first evening kathakali theater in india. the show is preceded by a detailed discourse of kathakali history and philosophy, elaborate make-up performances and a demonstration of kathakali techniques.

Kalikotta

Palace rd, thripunithura. this is the official concert palace hall of the kochi royal family, who are patrons of more than a dozen cultural institutions and societies. most performances are free. the mega kathakali festival organized prior to temple festival of thripunithura poornathresya royal temple, is one of the largest kathakali events here.

Kerala Folklore Theater

Nr thevara-island bridge, folklore junction, thevara. a good cultural theater with regular evening performances, a state-of-the-art museum and cultural gallery.

Fireworks Festival of Maradu Kottaram Devi Temple

mid march - mid april, hosts india's second largest fireworks as part of their temple festival finale. the festival takes place in the festival grounds of maradu, which has mega fireworks display lasting for 1.5 hours for last two days.

Cochin Carnival

dec 20-jan 2 is the biggest carnival festival in the city. it started in 1582 as part of portuguese new year's celebrations. a wonderful array of colourful rallies, fancy dress parades, regular competitions, bike races, beach games, sports, theme festivals, concerts and dances, fireworks and most important, the night beach parties, make it one of the largest celebrations in india. the new year's eve party is the highlight of this festival, when a large parade carrying a huge statute of papanai a santa claus-like image is taken to the beach, where it is set on fire on the stroke of midnight. this is followed by a grand party. the carnival ends with the grand parade on the afternoon of january 1st.

Thripunithura Vrishikolsavam

mid november - mid december at thripunithura poornathresya temple is the grandest temple festival, after thrissur pooram. this was once the royal festival of the kochi kingdom. the cultural attractions draw huge crowds with regular performances of kathakali.

Chendamangalam Matta Chanda

2 days prior to vishu festival near chendamangalam fort, is the only official barter market in the world, as reminiscent of olden market style. the recorded history of this market is nearly 300 years old, where traditional & heritage items are sold in exchange of modern items of equal value. matta chanda is today a tourism attraction and a traditional ritual rather than serious shopping, hence only traditional kerala specialties can be brought in exchange of modern and regular items like branded soaps, perfumes, clothes, hair accessories, electronic components, batteries, medicines, as agreed mutually buyer and seller.

Shiva Temple Festival

first week of january, takes place at the shiva temple and durbar hall ground, famous for its ten elephant parade and host of cultural activities. the last day of the festival, pakalpooram, is famous for its traditional kerala percussion ensemble, a huge display of fireworks and a 21 gun salute by the indian navy and kerala police.

Onam Festival

ten day festival mid-august to mid-september. the state festival of kerala originating in kochi. it is based on the legend of welcoming home the mythical king mahabali, whose capital was believed to be at the current site of thrikakkara temple. the ten day festivities start off with an parade on atham day called athachamayam. it is held in thripunithura starting from the atham grounds and has many tableaux, dance parades, cultural art forms ending at thrikakkara temple.

Maharaja's Stadium Grounds

Located at kpcc jn in mg road has large athletic grounds, a state-of-the-art synthetic track, which is popular among athletic enthusiasts.

Cricket pitches

Palace oval grounds located in tripunithara is the most popular large open cricket pitch where the kochi royals used to play their favourite past-time. apart from this, there are new large pitches in parade grounds of fort kochi and in kadavanthara near gcda nagar.

Cochin International Stadium

Located at kaloor, has good open football court and a cricket court, where locals play regularly, for which no fees are required. the badminton and tennis court located next to this ground can be used on payment of prescribed fees at sports office of st.albert's college as it belongs to them.

Football pitches

There is a large football pitch at parade grounds in fort cochin, where locals play regularly in evening and you will likely be welcome to join in. likewise at maharaja's football and cricket pitches near college ground in mg road, ambedkar city stadium near ksrtc bus station in rajaji rd and at the marine drive ground.

 

Kochi has got some good sporting facilities. Football is the official game here and is regularly played by locals in open areas. Cricket is extremely popular and regularly played by youngsters.

Water Sports

Is popular in kochi, particularly in fort kochi beach and cherai beach where water skis/jets and water scooters are available. cochin marina in bolgatty island, the yacht club in thevera and ramada resort in panagad operate a wide range of water sports games. para-gilding is not allowed in any areas, due to presence of several strategic military installations.

Go Karting @ Aiport

A short karting circuit is located at the city side of cochin airport, just opposite the airline complex. regular karting competitions are held on weekends and a few rallies are also organized.

Beach Sports

Fort kochi beach, cherai beaches are very popular among locals for playing beach volley-balls. try a tough game of beach-football being very popular here. water ski and biking is also popular in fort kochi beaches.

 

Kochi has some good Cineplexes, featuring regular Malayalam, Tamil, English and Hindi movies. Most of the theaters have uniform movie timings with 4 shows fixed at noon, matinée afternoon, first show evenings and second show late night, though modern multiplexes offers shows at multiple timings. Some of the recommended are;

Sridhar Cinemas

1 screen, marine drive, ☎ +91 484 2352529‎. a modern, well maintained 900 seater theater equipped with 3d facilities. it has a good cafe called sridhar cafe. this theater regularly screens hollywood english movies. malayalam and hindi movies are screened sometimes, though rare.

Cinemax Multiplex

4 screens; 4th floor, oberon mall, nh bypass road - a modern multiplex, it has 4 screens offering malayalam, hindi, tamil and english movies on regular basis.

Silverstorm Water Park

A good family theme park with 29 water and dry rides, a very large park and a chinese village. near athirampally waterfalls area, this park is located 50 km from kochi city, 18 km from the airport.

Veegaland Amusement Park

In kakkanad, this is second largest theme park in south india. spread over 50 acres of land with more than 50 rides and various shows, it has well maintained gardens and five restaurants as well as small cafes. open 9:30am-7pm.

RLV College of Dance and Music

˜Ž +91 484 2779757. established in 1920s by maharaja of kochi in tripunithara as a remembrance to his late wife and daughter, this is one of most popular music and dance colleges in the state. there are many short-term courses, making it ideal for interested visitors.

 

There are many popular institutes for learning local art-forms such as Bharatnatyam, Mohiniyattom, Kathakali and music, which can offer regular and crash courses.

Sree Sankara School of Dance and Music

˜Ž+91 484 2462501, +91 484 2464189. a a popular center for learning classical indian artforms, offering certificates and diplomas.

ENS Kalari

˜Ž +91 484 2809810, (http://www.enskalari.org.in/). one of the most popular kalari centers in the state. part of kerala kalaripattyattu association, this institute is guided by leading trainers who are well versed in ayurveda, mathematics and physical education.

 

Learn this gravity defying martial art of Kerala. Some of the centers authorized by the government are:

Arjuna Kalari and Marma Chikitsalayam Centre

˜Ž+91 484 2365440 +91 484 3692304, (http://www.arjunakalari.com). has regular classes in kalari techniques but it is more famous for its specialized ayurvedic treatments.

ayurveda

Ayurvedic pleasure treatments are widely available. Some of the better spas and massage centres are:

Kerala Ayurvedics in South Near Arun's Studio, Warriam Road- between MG Rd and Chitoor Rd

Punarva Spa and Ayuvedic Hospital Edappally North, NH 17

Birla Kerala Spa Hotels Woodlands, Jewel Junction

Ela World Spa, 4rd floor, Oberon Mall

Boating on the Kochi backwaters

Get the real feel of the Vembanadu Lake through boating. There are many cruises offered by many private players as well as the Kerala State Inland Shipping Corp. Sunset cruises are popular. Many guesthouses offer the trip and in the centre you can arrange it by yourself as well. Recently speedboats started plying the backwaters. Some premium hotels in Willingdon Island and Fort Kochi offer motorised watersports for its guests. Daily backwater tours can be organised directly through the state tourism office at Erankulam Park Jetty. They cost Rs 650 per person and must be booked at least the day before. The tour includes a stop at local small industry and food sites.

Art of Living-Ernakulam Chapter

˜Ž +91 484 2383738, (http://aolkochi.org/). part of the international yoga and spiritual center of sri sri ravishankarji.