Huge Pappanjis to be burned at many places in Ernakulam

Kochi: While Cochin Carnival in Fort Kochi, which culminates with the burning of the giant Pappanji and ushers in the New Year, remained as the single major attraction for decades, the revelry will be far more decentralized this time in the district with around half-a-dozen huge effigies and numerous smaller statues set to go up in flames.Cochin Carnival committee will organise the Pappanji burning again at the Parade Ground while Fort Kochi will host a similar event at Veli Ground, where a local charity club has secured permission to burn the effigy. Giant effigies are already up in Kakkanad, Pallikkara, Malayattoor and Palluruthy.The organisers of the Malayattoor Carnival — which will end with effigy burning — have erected 60-foot Pappanji, taller than those in Fort Kochi. The effigy in Thrikkakara is 45-foot high while at Kacheripady in Palluruthy, the Pappanji is depicted as riding a reindeer-drawn sledge. Huge effigies are also raised at Pallikkara near Kakkanad. Cherai will host a beach fest. The prime attraction of Malayattoor Carnival is the 10,025 stars lit around Manappat Chira, the 110-acre water-filled area at the foothills. The carnival also features an amusement park, food court and cultural programmes, organised under the leadership of the Malayattoor Janakiya Vikasana Samithi and the panchayat.Yuva Club, Manjummal, secretary Ashwin Soman was busy setting up the effigy in their neighbourhood on Tuesday."We are based at Madapatt in Manjummal. We used bamboo and hay to make our small Pappanji. On New Year's Eve, the people in our neighbourhood, including families, will gather around 7pm. Since we can't play loud music after 10pm, we will turn off the music and organise games and other activities. We will burn the effigy at the stroke of midnight. Since we used only natural materials, the entire structure will burn," said Ashwin. Numerous such events are organised across the district.City residents also have offbeat avenues to celebrate New Year, with tourist boats and small cruises offering midnight rides to celebrate the Eve at sea. Various religious entities are organising midnight retreats for those who wish to take a spiritual path instead of partying.Last year, Cochin Carnival committee had to cancel all its programmes following national mourning in the aftermath of the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The effigy at Veli Ground was, however, torched as planned, making it the only New Year event last time. Authorities have taken precautions to control the crowd through segmentation at both venues, considering the heavy rush in Fort Kochi even before New Year's Eve.