The Cochin Carnival, Vasco-da-Gama Square, Fort Cochi. This is a revival of end-of-the-year festivities introduced by the Portuguese during their stay in Cochin. many famlies in the old town of Fort Cochin still have portuguese names and an Iberian zest for music and celebrations. They have also drawn freely from their Indian roots and during this young festival, cycle race and sack fights merge effortlessly with teams matched in the trials of strength called Vadamvali and a sort of local precursor of cricket called Kuttiyum Kolum.