City dwellers welcomed the New Year with overnight festivities, with the burning of the Papanji at Fort Kochi being the highlight.
A huge crowd witnessed the Papanji being set ablaze around midnight to herald the coming year.
If the Carnival at Fort Kochi drew in the crowds, as always, for a mass public celebration, DJ parties hosted at star-rated restaurants and resorts across the city were packed too, what with couples and stags cashing in on the chance to shake a leg to ring in an electrifying year ahead.
Bar closure would obviously have downed the spirits of several people, but Kochiites made up for that by making a beeline for beverages outlets since Thursday morning to pick up their favourite drink. Even premium outlets saw dense footfall through the day.
Meanwhile, the ‘spiritless’ celebrations organised at the Durbar Hall ground proved to be an unanticipated attraction for more sober folks.
On Thursday, film director Kamal, Ashique Abu, actors Rima Kallingal, Shrindda and other actors joined the crowd in celebrating the New Year. Among other VIPs were former Mayor Tony Chammany and the West Kochi councillor Shyni Mathew.
