Kochi comes alive with a New Year’s Eve feast

The iron effigy of Papanji which was to be burnt in effigy at the Parade Ground in Fort Kochi. | Photo Credit: Special Editing

The New Year’s Eve gathering held in Kochi and Fort Kochi – a treasured tourist center where tens of thousands of people from Kerala, other states, and other countries gather on December 31 each year to join in the celebrations – was not without serious incidents. .

A large crowd gathered at the Veli Ground in Fort Kochi to witness the burning of Pappanji to mark the arrival of the New Year on January 1. | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

Aiming to avoid a stampede-like situation that marred last year’s end-of-year celebrations, the police have thrown a thick blanket and set up barricades on roads leading to Fort Kochi and nearby areas. The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD), district administration, and other agencies have also mobilized their resources to ensure the orderliness of the rally at Fort Kochi, other popular beach spots, and Marine Drive. A few days ago, the police, MVD, and Excise started measures to prevent drunk driving and drug dealing during the celebrations.

New Year revelers thronged Marine Drive in Kochi on December 31, to welcome 2025. | Photo Credit: H. VIBHU

‘Papanji’ was burnt in effigy at the Veli Ground, while the ‘Burning of Papanji’ ritual that was supposed to take place at the Parade Ground was canceled due to the week-long mourning over the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. After this, the annual meeting of Cochin Carnival which was to be held on December 31 in Fort Kochi was postponed to January 2.

People celebrating near the giant Christmas tree set up at Veli Ground | Photo Credit: Thulani Kakkat

At the Parade Ground, a 50-foot iron frame of Papanji to be burnt in effigy stood witness to the visitors thronging the venue.

1,000 police officers have been deployed as part of the security measures. This was apart from the 400 CCTVs installed at Veli Ground and other areas of Fort Kochi. In addition, a dedicated police team to evacuate and ambulances are also kept ready.

In a joint operation, the police, Excise and Narcotics Control Bureau personnel, assisted by sniffer dogs raided suspected drug use sites. Five people were arrested, four cases were registered, and 165 gm ganja was seized in a day.

Aimed at preventing rush of people to the area, the boats to Fort Kochi stopped the journey at 7pm, and resumed at midnight when the celebrations died down and people dispersed. In Kochi, the metro was running extra trips from 4 pm to 10 pm, while services were extended till midnight to cater to the people who scattered to their destinations.