Malayattoor Saint Thomas Church

Malayattoor Saint Thomas Church
Malayattoor Church
St. Thomas Church Malayattoor
Malayattoor Church is located in Kerala
Malayattoor Church
Location of Malayattoor Church in Kerala.
10°11′N 76°30′E / 10.183°N 76.5°E / 10.183; 76.5
Location Ernakulam, Kerala
Country India
Denomination Catholic
Website www.malayattooronline.com

Malayattoor Saint Thomas Church is one of the most prominent Christian pilgrim centers in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. The Malayatoor Church of Cochin attracts a large number of devotees from not just Kerala, but also all over India. St. Thomas the Apostle was the one who took initiative to begin a Christian community in Kerala. He also set up the church here which has been designated by the Vatican as an International Shrine.[1][2] It is believed that St. Thomas held prayer at this church when he landed in Kerala. The hilltop church is located 15 km away from the town of Kalady. Malayatoor and Kodanad villages are located on the opposite banks of the Periyar river with unspoiled and rustic views of the surroundings.

Contents

History

St. Thomas is believed to have landed in Kerala at Kodungallur (Cranganore) in AD 52. Oral tradition says that while travelling through Malayattor, faced with hostile natives, he fled to the hilltop where he is said to have remained in prayer and that he left his foot prints on one of the rocks. According to beliefs, during prayer, he touched a rock, upon which blood poured from it.

The chief festival is on the first Sunday after Easter. It is traditionally believed that St. Thomas used to make the Sign of the Cross on the rock, kiss it and pray at Kurisumudi. The story has it that a miraculous golden cross appeared at that particular spot. Pilgrims going up the hill to call out incessantly "''Ponnum Kurishu Muthappo, Ponmala Kayattom", meaning "O Patriarch of the Golden Cross! Climb we shall, this golden hill!"

This Shrine was promoted to Archdiocesan status by Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil on 4 September 1998. There is also a very ancient Church in the name of St Thomas (Estd. 900) at Malayattoor on the bank of Periyar River which serves as the parish Church at present. The annual festival of this church is known as 'Malayatoor Perunal' and it is celebrated in the months of March–April.

Malayattoor is a part of the Malayattoor-Neeleeswaram Panchayat (Local governing body) of Ernakulam Dist.

Tourist information

St. Thomas founded churches in different places in Kerala including Kollam, Kodungalloor, Nilakkal, Niranam, etc. One can easily seek spiritual happiness and satisfaction amidst the calm and serene locales surrounding Malayatoor. In fact, this center is the most popular and largest St. Thomas shrine in India. It is a popular tourist center and many people throng this place to have a look at this magnificent church. It is a must visit while traveling to Cochin.

Every year on the first Sunday after Easter, thousands of pilgrims throng to this shrine to seek holy blessings. The architecture of the church is very interesting and uses a combination of unique styles that are a delight to the eyes. It is a combination of Greco-Roman architecture with a traditional Greek styled altar. The front of the church has been built in the typical Roman Catholic architecture. The church has been decorated with beautiful carvings, designs and paintings that depict the life of Jesus Christ. There are facilities for confession and adoration also in this church. The church also has an ancient pond that was used for baptism purposes and a traditional pulpit that is considered to be of much historical significance.

How to Reach Malayattoor Church.

  • By Air

The Cochin International Airport is at a distance of 15 kilometers from here.

  • By Rail

The Angamaly railway station is at a distance of 17 kilometers from Malayattoor, but since most train do not stop at Angamaly you can get down at the next railway station Aluva (Alwaye)as every train halts here.

  • By Road

Malayattoor Church is easily reachable from anywhere in Kerala and Cochin as the place is well connected by a wide network of roads. To get to Malayatoor driving down on the NH47, one will have to take a diversion towards Kalady from Angamaly and drive all the way up to Kalady town which will take about 10 minutes. Then take a left towards Malayatoor. Folks driving down from Ernakulam / Cochin can drive up to Angamaly and take the same route or take the left towards Kalady after Cochin International Airport on the NH47. The latter route is shorter but the time taken will be a little long due to the small roads on will have to drive in.

References

   3.http://malayattooronline.com

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Malayattoor — For the church in Malayattoor, see Malayattoor Saint Thomas Church. For the writer, see Malayattoor Ramakrishnan. Malayattoor (Malayalam: മലയാറ്റൂര്‍) is a town in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is located about 45 km north east of… …   Wikipedia

  • Ancient Crosses of India — Part of a series on Nasrani people …   Wikipedia

  • North Paravur — This article is about a town in Ernakulam district. For other uses, see Paravur. Paravur   suburb   …   Wikipedia

  • Christianity in Kerala — Christianity is the third most practiced religion in Kerala with 19% of the population according to the Indian census.[1] Although a minority, Christians represent a much larger percentage of the population of Kerala than of India considered as a …   Wikipedia

  • Kochi — This article is about the city in India. For other uses, see Kochi (disambiguation). Cochin redirects here. For other uses, see Cochin (disambiguation). Kochi (Cochin) കൊച്ചി …   Wikipedia

  • Manjapra —   town   …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”