CHANDANAKUDA MAHOTSAVAM IN BEEMAPALLI

The holy shrine of Beema Beevi, more popularly known as Beempalli, which is held sacred by Muslims as well as others, is situated about five kilometres southwest of the Trivandrum Central Railway Station, on the beach road leading to Poonthura via Valiyathura. Beemapalli is a shrine dedicated to the hallowed memory of Beema Beevi, a pious and devoted Muslim lady gifted with divine powers. It is one of the most distinguished mosques in Kerala, which draws large gatherings. Pilgrims of all ages from all communities can be seen heading towards the shrine all along the routes during this festival.

This is the first Juma Masjid in India and is situated in the Methala Village of Kodungalloor taluk, hardly 20 kilometre from Irinjalakuda railway station. According to the legend, Cheraman Perumal went on a pilgrimage to Arabia where he met Prophet Mohammed at Jeddah and embraced Islam and accepted the name Thajuddin.

ST. DOMINIC SYRIAN CHURCH FEAST

ST. DOMINIC SYRIAN CHURCH FEAST Aluva

The feast of St. Dominic church at Aluva falls on the third Sunday after the Easter. The statue of the Saint is taken out in procession on that day. The feast of “Our Lady of the Holy Rosary” also consists of a spectacular procession on the Sunday after 8th of December. The entire length of the route is canopied with festoons, paper flower, baskets and balloons.

The feast of St . Dominic church at Aluwa falls on the third Sunday after the Easter. The statue of the Saint is taken out in procession on that day. The feast of “Our Lady of the Holy Rosary” also consists of a spectacular procession on the Sunday after 8th of December.

Niranam Festival

Niranam Festival in Kerela

All the places hallowed in the annals of Christianity in India, Niranam holds pride of place. In social, cultural, literary and political matters, this small village has kept up its own distinctive, pristine traditions. The fame of Niranam must have reached Syria and weighed most with St. Thomas. He is believed to have visited Niranam in 53AD, erected a crucifix founded and built a church on the site.The main religious festival is in honour of the Holy Mother on August 15. Special mass is held on that day. The birthday of St. Mary is celebrated on a grand scale on 8th September. The feast of St. Thomas is celebrated on 3rd July.

Niranam Festival & Niranam church : In spite of the initial protest against propagation of Christianity, many local people gradually embraced it and they formed a congregation which in due course grew into the Malabar Christian Church. It is to St. Mary the Niranam church is dedicated.

The present edifice is a renovation of the old. The tall, granite cross in front of the church is a relic of the past. The paintings and sculpture bear eloquent testimony to a high architectural standard. A statue of St. Mary carved in marble and another in pure gold are the proud possessions of the church. Moreover, a holy cross of the church, made of pure gold and set with precious stones, is unrivalled in craftsmanship and cost.

The main religious festival is in honour of the Holy Mother on August 15. Special mass is held on that day. The birthday of St. Mary is celebrated on a grand scale on 8th September. The feast of St. Thomas is celebrated on 3rd July

Koratty Muthy’s Feast

Koratty Muthy’s Feast Festival

Every year, in the second week of October, the beautiful village of Koratty, in Thrissur district, comes alive to celebrate a feast dedicated to Virgin Mary, locally known as Koratty Muthy. The feast, the most important event at the St. Mary’s Church here, is attended by hundreds of devotees. Apart from the devotional rites, there is an awe-inspiring pageantry as part of the feast.

Gettting there: Chalakkudy lies on the Kochi-Thrissur route.

Nearest Railway Station:Chalakkudy, about 7 km away.

Nearest Airport:Cochin International Airport, about 24 km from Chalakkudy.

Koratty Muthy’s (St Mary’s) Forane church at Koratty is one of the most important Marian Pilgrim Centre in India after Velankanni. The Church is located in a beautiful, scenaric village of Koratty (Named after the church) in Thrissur district.
The Annual Grand Feast organized at the Koratty Muthy’s church is a very significant and mega event to miss. The Festival is celebrated with great number of rituals and is a rich and spectacular ceremony attended by thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.

The Feast is an annual event organized in the second week of October every year. In the year 2009, it will be celebrated on 11th October’09. Koratty Muthy is actually a local interpretation of Virgin Mary, to whom the festival is dedicated.
Koratty Muthy’s Feast Festival
Apart from the traditional and customary rituals, there are many cultural activities and programs organized throughout the Feast. Although any and every devotee attends the feast the main attendants to the Feast includes the Ill and the Infirm, Distressed Damsels yearning for their partners in life, Parents longing for children etc.

The Church of Koratty Muthy is extremely popular amidst its devotees and people from all sects and castes participate in the annual Feast. Not only during the feast days but all through the year Church is full of devotees thronging to seek the blessings of Mother Mary.

Kallooppara Perunal

Kallooppara Perunal in Kerela

St.Mary’s Church at Kallooppara stands in close proximity to the Kallooppara Bhagavathy temple. Inside the church, on its eastern and western wings, there are two granite slabs with some inscriptions in the Pali language.

The Palli perunal and the foundation day of the Church are the two celebrations held on January 15 and July 5 respectively.

Kallooppara, a village of Mallappally taluk, is located on the eastern side of Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta District. This pilgrim center is at the central part of the blue waters of the Manimala River.

Kallooppara was formerly known as Perumbranad. The name came from its massive storage of rocks, ‘Perum Parra Nadu’ and later reduced to Perumbranad. Folklore also has it that the Royalties of the Thekkumkoor Dynasty and Edappally Thampurans once governed this place.

The main attraction is the St Mary’s Orthodox Church. The Kallooppara Perunal and the Kallooppara Convention associated with the church are also famous. Kallooppara also has a Bhagavati temple. There is a government engineering college operating at this place.

Kadamattom Feast

Kadamattom Feast in Kerela

Mainly two feasts are celebrated in this church, one on the 24th and 25th of Makaram (January-February) and the other on 23rd of Medam (April-May). The former is the most important. According to legends, the feast is celebrated in memory of
Kadamattathachan, the founder of this church, while some others say that it is in remembrance of his Guru. The consensus of option is that both of them passed away on Makaram 24. Kadamattathachan had been a celibate all his life and worked several wonders.

Mainly two feasts are celebrated in this church, one on the 24th and 25th of Makaram (January-February) and the other on 23rd of Medam (April-May). The former is the most important.

Edappally Perunal Festival

Edappally Perunal Festival in Kerela

Edappally is a fast growing suburb of Kochi/Cochin City in Kerala state, southern India. Edappally was the seating place of the Edapally Rajas, the ruler of this place. The town is famous for St. George’s Church which is quiet old and is a pilgrimage centre. Perandoor Temple, Thrickovil Sree Krishna Temple, Puthukkalavattam Mahadeva Temple, Punnakkal Bhagavathy Temple, Ponekkara Bhagavathy Temple are important places of worship. Elamakkara Lourdh Matha church is the other noticed worship place, which has a history over a 100 years. Edappally mosque (more than 1000 years old) and many other old buildings are preserved in Edappally.

The important place of worship is the St. George Ferone Church of Edappally. The St. George the dragon slayer is the presiding saint. It is under the control of the Syrian Catholic Dioces of Ernakulam. Praying at the shrine on the way on any journey is considered a necessity even by people of other faiths. The offering is simply candles and coins into the bhandaram. A new colossal Church is nearing completion. Edappally is now famous for Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram, where various cultural programmes are regularly organised, which include Kathakali, dramas, music,children’s programmes, Akshara slokas, various cultural meetings, etc. Another famous institution at Edappally is ‘Changampuzha Smaraka Grandhasala’, a library established in 1950 as a memorial to the famous Malayalam poet, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, who is the famous son of Edappally.This library is an outstanding one with a collection of about thirty thousand titles and a reference section (approved as the Kanayannur Taluk Reference Library). This has an Art wing offering training in various types of dance items, music (vocal and instrumental), Painting and drawing, etc. About six hundred students undergo training in these.

BHARANAMGANAM FEAST FESTIVAL

BHARANAMGANAM FEAST FESTIVAL IN KERELA

Bharanamganam, a small village town in Meenachal Taluk of Kottayam District, has been famous for long as one of the hallowed places in Kerala. It is about 14 miles from the Ettumannoor railway station. Bharabangaban has always been a refuge of the afflicted and the miserable as well as of the faithful. It is here that the famous St. Mary’s Forance Church, one of the oldest churches in Kerala dedicated to the Holy Mother, stands, attracting thousands of pilgrims from all over the country. The important annual festivals of this church are the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated on the 9th of November, and the Feast of St. Sebastian on the 20th of January.

The Bharananganam church which is 1000 years old is also known as Anakkallu church. This place also talks of stories which relate to the legendary Pandavas. It is believed that Bharananganam Sree Krishna temple was blessed by the Pandavas themselves. There is also a Sastha Temple at Edamattom nearby.The older name of this place was Parananganam. St. Thomas, the apostle of India, social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, Mother Teresa, blessed Chavara Elias and others have visited this place. It is believed that a portion of the cross which was used to crucify Jesus Christ is kept here. Archeologists have unearthed 162 coins which belong to Buddha era (B.C 563-483), from the pilgrimage destination of Bharananganam. This place was considered to be a settlement of Buddhists.

St.Francis Assisi feast(December 8th), St. Sebastians feast (January 20, 21) and St. Alphonsa day (July 28) are the main festivals of Bharananganam pilgrimage place. People belonging to various communities live here in harmony, and the festivals of the church and temple are celebrated by all. The ornamental lamp held during the church procession was donated by the temple. This church was made a forane in 1890 itself. The first pastoral home in Kerala was built here. The ornamental gold cross which is an artistic marvel was first owned by this church at Bharananganam.

Manjinikkara Church Festival

MANJINIKKARA CHURCH FESTIVAL IN KERELA

Start Date: 07-02-1999

End Date : 00-00-0000

Mar Ignatius Elias III, the holy Patriarch of Antioch died at this place in 1932. His mortal remains are preserved in the church at Manjinikkara. This church has now developed into a pilgrim centre for both Indian and foreign devotees.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla, 30 km from Pathanamthitta.
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 119 km from Pathanamthitta.

The church and Dayara at Manjinikkara derives its importance from the holy tomb there. The sacred body of the late lgnatius Elise III, the holy patriarch of Antioch and all the East was interned there. Members of the Jacobite Syrian Church believe that the Holy Father was a Saint. The Church has now become one of the foremost places of pilgrimage.

Maramon Convention Festival

Maramon Convention Festival in Kerela

Started in 1896, the Maramon Convention is held annually by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association (MTEA), the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church on the banks of the River Pamba at Maramon, Kerala. Maramon is also famous as the birthplace of Palakkunnathu Abraham Maplah, leader of the reformation in the Syrian Church of Malabar in the 19th century.

The Maramon Convention is said to be the largest Christian gathering in Asia. Usually held during the month of February, the Maramon Convention displays co-operation and union between different sections of the Church in Kerala. The annual weeklong gathering is a great occasion for listening to evangelists and eminent exponents of the Bible from around the world. It is also a source of spiritual inspiration and enlightenment for thousands

Maramon and Kozhencherry , on the banks of the river Pampa, 16 kilometers east of Tiruvalla, have for centuries been recognised as centres of Christian culture and influence. Maramon is also famous as the birth place of Palakkunnathu Abraham Maplah, leader of the reformation in the Syrian Church of Malabar in the 19th century. This village which developed into a town has the added distinction of being the venue of a religious gathering known as Maramon convention, said to be the largest Christian gathering in Asia.

It is during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the river Pampa below the Kozhencherry bridge that the Maramon Convention is held every year.

The Maramon Convention displays co-operation and union between different sections of Church in Kerala. It fosters ecumenical outlook. It is also a source of spiritual inspiration and enlightenment for thousands. in Kerela

Started in 1896, the Maramon Convention is held annually by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association (MTEA), the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church on the banks of the River Pamba at Maramon, Kerala. Maramon is also famous as the birthplace of Palakkunnathu Abraham Maplah, leader of the reformation in the Syrian Church of Malabar in the 19th century.

The Maramon Convention is said to be the largest Christian gathering in Asia. Usually held during the month of February, the Maramon Convention displays co-operation and union between different sections of the Church in Kerala. The annual weeklong gathering is a great occasion for listening to evangelists and eminent exponents of the Bible from around the world. It is also a source of spiritual inspiration and enlightenment for thousands

Maramon and Kozhencherry , on the banks of the river Pampa, 16 kilometers east of Tiruvalla, have for centuries been recognised as centres of Christian culture and influence. Maramon is also famous as the birth place of Palakkunnathu Abraham Maplah, leader of the reformation in the Syrian Church of Malabar in the 19th century. This village which developed into a town has the added distinction of being the venue of a religious gathering known as Maramon convention, said to be the largest Christian gathering in Asia.

It is during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the river Pampa below the Kozhencherry bridge that the Maramon Convention is held every year.

The Maramon Convention displays co-operation and union between different sections of Church in Kerala. It fosters ecumenical outlook. It is also a source of spiritual inspiration and enlightenment for thousands.

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