Parade Ground, Fort Kochi
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Upcoming at Parade Ground, Fort Kochi
About Parade Ground, Fort Kochi
Parade Ground is the open maidan at the centre of Fort Kochi, ringed by rain trees, St Francis Church and colonial bungalows, and used on ordinary days for football and cricket. It is the main stage of the Cochin Carnival. The carnival's competitions and evening programmes are held here in the last days of December, the New Year's Day rally from Veli Ground ends here, and the ground is the traditional site where the Pappanji, a giant effigy of an old man that stood about 35 feet tall in the last edition, is set alight at midnight on 31 December. The ground was also one of the sites of the first Kochi-Muziris Biennale in 2012.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Pappanji burned?
Traditionally at Parade Ground in Fort Kochi, at midnight on 31 December, as the finale of the Cochin Carnival.
How do I reach Parade Ground?
Take the Water Metro or ferry to Fort Kochi and walk 10–15 minutes, or take a bus or cab to Fort Kochi and walk in from the bus stand.
Is entry free?
Yes. The ground is a public space, and Cochin Carnival events here are free, though police limit numbers on New Year's Eve.
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