Malayattoor
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Malayattoor 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[citation needed]. It is believed that St. Thomas held prayer at this church when he landed in Kerala. The hilltop church is located 10km away from the town of Kalady, near Neeleeswaram.
[edit] 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 4th 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. Neeleeswaram is a nearby village of Malayattoor.
[edit] 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 Malayatoor 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 Malayatoor.
- By Road
Malayatoor 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.
[edit] External links
