Venue: St.Thomas Church, Malayattoor, Ernakulam district, central Kerala.
Event Date: 1 st Sunday after Easter
The church is located atop the 2000 feet high Malayattoor hill, about 52 km from Kochi. This famous Catholic church is dedicated to St.Thomas. It is believed that the Apostle, who came to India in the first century A.D, visited Malayattoor twice.
The ' Perunnal' or Feast at the Church is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. Pilgrims of all faiths from far and near proceed uphill, chanting the name of the Apostle. St.Thomas is believed to have landed here at the Muziris (now known as Kodungalloor) port in 52 AD. Lakhs of devotees carrying the wooden crosses are arriving at Kurisumudy to participate in the most sought after festival in this part of the world.
Every year the entire village of Malayattoor gets decked up to receive hoards of devotees who throng the place to climb up the hilly tract to reach the shrine. During the pilgrimage season people from a cross section of the society and also belonging to all age groups turn up at Malayattoor to attend the festival. The pilgrimage season lasts for nearly six weeks.
Getting there
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam, about 47 km.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 67 km.
No comments:
Post a Comment