Kochi

Art forms

art forms
Kerala Kathakali Center

˜Ž +91 484 2215827. offers short term courses in kathakali, kalaripayattu and percussion instruments for visitors. ideal for learning a bit about the essence of kerala's, although it is not so authentic being aimed mostly at tourists.

art forms
 

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

art forms
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.

art forms
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.

Cinemas

cinemas
Q Cinemas
Gould Souke Grande'

4 screens; 4th floor, gold souk mall, vytilla- the most luxurious multiplex in the town, it offers shows in all languages.

cinemas
Padma Cinemas

1 screen; padma junction, mg rd, ☎ +91 484 2354233‎. a modern, well maintained 800 seater theater in 2 class configuration. it has a good cafe and texas wild theme restaurant called cafe 20. mostly malayalam, tamil and hindi movies are screened here.

cinemas
 

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;

cinemas
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.

cinemas
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.

Kalaripayattu

kalaripayattu
 

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

kalaripayattu
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.

kalaripayattu
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.

Performing arts

performing arts
Kerala Fine Arts Complex
Foreshore Rd, Pallimukku

Foreshore rd. this is one of the oldest centres, with regular cultural performances. many require prior booking, as they are organized by prestigious societies and groups. there are some performances that have free entry, and the monthly cultural programs of bank employees union is one such.

performing arts
 

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.

performing arts
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.

performing arts
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.

performing arts
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.

performing arts
Greenix Tourist Theater

Greenix village, kalvatty, fort kochi. a good cultural theater with a gallery, food court and mini museum.

performing arts
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.

Festivals

festivals
 

See Festivals of Kerala for further details.

festivals
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.

festivals
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.

festivals
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.

festivals
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.

festivals
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.

festivals
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.

Sport

sport
Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium
Kadavanthara

Located at kadavanthara, has badminton, tennis, squash, volley ball and basketball courts. rooms for chess, caroms, table-tennis and board games are also available. for an entrance fees payable at the indoor sports office, you can play there or join with regular users. there is also a state-of-the-art fitness complex and large billiards-snooker pool inside this stadium. an olympic-sized swimming pool is available outside. large football and cricket pitches are available free of charge. locals play regularly here and you can join them.

sport
 

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.

sport
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.

sport
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.

sport
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.

sport
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.

sport
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.

sport
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.

sport
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.

Theme parks

theme parks
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.

theme parks
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.

boating
Boating on the Kochi backwaters
at Marine Drive

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.

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

yoga and meditation
Art of Living-Ernakulam Chapter

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