About Us

Established in 1971, by the Congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, Chavara Cultural Centre-Kochi, a voluntary, non-sectarian, non political institution for study and service, is devoted to the synthesis and development of art and culture and promotion of faith in God and human brotherhood. This organization has always been in the forefront, organizing programs to prepare the youth to face the challenges of life boldly. Located in the heart of the city of Cochin, this organization has been actively involved in achieving its objective for more than three decades. The Centre has been named after the great missionary St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the founder of C.M.I. Congregation.

Chavara Cultural Centre is run under the supervision of CMI congregation of priests who manage over 200 educational institutions all over India, including prestigious colleges like Christ College Bangalore, S.H.College Thevara Kochi, Rajagiri Institutions Kalamasserry, St. Josephs College Devagiri Kozhikode etc.

The centre has been venue for the conferences of world religions for three times since 1981. To promote communal harmony, the Centre has been organizing interfaith gathering, dialogues, prayers etc. either solely or jointly with others frequently. Debates on issues of national and international interests are often held here. Talks by famous speakers on various cardinal topics have often been delivered.

The authorities of the centre are often invited for participation in Statewide, National and International seminars, symposia, etc in India and abroad. The name and data of the Centre have grabbed prominent place in various national and international directories.

The centre runs a good public library and reading room, which are well utilized by the Cochinites. Coaching classes for high school students, workshops on personality development with a view to equip them for facing examinations boldly and to score higher targets are often extended freely, on holidays. The centre provides foreign language classes in French and English. It also gives training to students in music, both vocal and instrumental and also in various dance forms.