Churches and Mosques in Kerala
St.THOMAS CHURCH AT PALAYUR
The St. Thomas Church at Palayur is the oldest church in India. It was built by St Thomas - the Apostle in A.D.52. St. Thomas, the Apostle arrived in A.D.52 at Crangannur {now Kodungallur} with Jewish merchants for the propagation of Christ’s message and through the sea route reached Palayur in 52 A.D. and built the Church here. This famous Palayur pilgrim centre is at Chavakkad, near Thrissur.
ST. THOMAS CHURCH AT MALAYATTOOR
Malayattur, 45 km from Ernakulam, is famous among the Catholics. This church is dedicated to St. Thomas and is set atop the 609 metre Malayattur Hill.
This holy shrine is one of the most important Christian pilgrim centers in Kerala attracting devotees in very large numbers not only from Kerala but also from the neighbouring states. This famous church is situated at Kurisumudi, a verdant hill in the Western Ghats girdled partially by the river Periyar.
Legends credit St. Thomas as having established about seven and a half churches in Kerala (here half is only indicative of a church smaller in size.) These seven churches were established at Kodungallur, Palayur, Paravur, Kokomangalam, Niranam, Chayal, and Kollam. The Malayattoor Church and the Tiruvamcode Church in the Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu are considered to be the half church. But some believe that the Malayattoor Church is one of the major churches built by St. Thomas and they argue that the churches at Kokomanagalam and Paravur must be regarded as one.
The first Sunday after Easter is a very important day at Malayattoor. Pilgrims, chanting the name of the Apostle, ‘Ponninkurisumala Muthappa’, climb Kurisumudi, the steep hill to visit the holy shrine. The Church has a life-size statue of St. Thomas and the imprint of the feet of the Apostle on a rock.
FORT KOCHI
Kochi has an entirely different look compared with the modern town of Ernakulam across the Vembanad Lake. Once Kochi flourished as the most prosperous business centre of Kerala by virtue of its location and the all weather natural harbour.
synagogue1.pg.jpg (18794 bytes)Kochi is the Home of a tiny JEWISH COMMUNITY descended from Jewish settlers who fled Palestine 2000 years ago. The nomadic tribes of Jews are said to have made their appearance in the north-west Mesopotamia in 1800 B. C. Abraham was their leader. They migrated to Palestine led by Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, and occupied that land. Driven by famine, some of them had to migrate to Egypt after 1700 B. C. They lived a miserable life as slaves until they were saved by Moses who led them back to Palestine.
The COCHIN SYNAGOGUE built in 1568 is the oldest in India. The great scrolls of Old Testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the rulers of Kochi were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles etc. are of great interest. The Jewish Town surrounding the Synagogue is a popular trade centre for spices. There are several interesting curio shops on the street leading up to the Synagogue.
St.FRANCIS CHURCH AT FORT KOCHI
It is India's oldest European built Protestant church. The Church was built in 1503 by the Portuguese Franciscan friars. It became an Anglican Church after the occupation of Kochi by the British in 1795. Vasco da Gama, the first European to reach India, died in Kochi in 1524 and his tomb Stone can be seen inside the Church even though his mortal remains were transferred to Portugal 14 years later.
SANTA CRUZ BASILICA AT FORT KOCHI
Built in 1902, this magnificent Church has a fantastical and bewitching interior.
VAGAMON
Vagamon is situated at an elevation of 1100 metres above sea level. It is about 60 km from Kottayam and 30 km from Pala. The important attractions here are the Kurishumala hill and the small church atop the nearby Kurishumala Ashramam, which is a monastery for Christian ascetics, who follow the Christian faith along the Indian spiritual traditions and the Gandhian thought. Vagamon is a popular spot for trekkers.
St.MARY’S FERONA CHURCH
This church at Athirampuzha near Ettumanur is famous for its annual 8 day feast known as ‘Athirampuzha Nercha’, which attracts a large number of devotees from all over Kerala.
BHARANANGANAM
It is an important Christian pilgrimage centre where the mortal remaints of Sister Alphonsa (1916-1946) was interned in a chapel next to the St. Mary’s Church. This 1000- year old church features an attractive Grotto of Virgin Mary.
Places of attraction in and around KOTTAYAM
St. MARY’S CHURCH
The St. Mary’s Church, known as Valiya Palli, in the town was built in 1550 A. D. It is famous for its 8th century Persian Cross with the Pahlavi inscription on it. Near to this Valia Palli is situated the Cheriya Palli (St. Mary’s Church) which was built in 1579 A. D. It houses some murals and paintings depicting Biblical and other themes.
MANNANAM
8 km from Kottayam. It is an important Syrian Christian centre. There is St. Joseph’s Monastery which is associated with Fr. Kuriakose, one of the saintly figures of the Syrian Catholic Church of Kerala. One can also see here one of the oldest Printing Presses in the state- the St. Joseph’s Press which printed ‘Nasrani Deepika’, one of the oldest newspapers in Kerala.
KOZHANCHERRY
It is situated 13 km from Pathanamthitta on the banks of the river Pamba. The place is famous for the MARAMON CONVENTION, the biggest religious gathering of Christians in Asia, held in February-March on the banks of the river Pamba. Christians from all over India assemble here to listen to the gospels read and expounded by scholars of Christianity drawn from India and abroad. For more details on Maraman Convention click here
THE MOTHER OF GOD CATHEDRAL, KOZHIKODE
It is the Headquarters of the Latin Catholic congregation in Malabar. Built in the Gothic style, the church is a tribute to the beauty of Italian architecture and the skill of Indian craftsmen. It is said that Italian architects were brought to Kozhikode to design the church. The church is a mute witness to the chequered history that followed the landing of Vasco da Gama at Kappad when the flood-gates of the Indian shores were opened to European navigators. History has it that the Zamorin, who had encountered the Portuguese in many a conflict, was himself the donor of the land on which the church stands today.
TANUR
Tanur in Malappuram district is a coastal fishing town of historical importance. It was one of the earliest settlements of the Portuguese in India. It is believed that St. Francis Xavier visited the place in 1546 A.D.and converted the local Chieftain to Christianity. Keraladesapuram Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu near here is one of the oldest temples in Kerala.
The St. Thomas Church at Palayur is the oldest church in India. It was built by St Thomas - the Apostle in A.D.52. St. Thomas, the Apostle arrived in A.D.52 at Crangannur {now Kodungallur} with Jewish merchants for the propagation of Christ’s message and through the sea route reached Palayur in 52 A.D. and built the Church here. This famous Palayur pilgrim centre is at Chavakkad, near Thrissur.
ST. THOMAS CHURCH AT MALAYATTOOR
Malayattur, 45 km from Ernakulam, is famous among the Catholics. This church is dedicated to St. Thomas and is set atop the 609 metre Malayattur Hill.
This holy shrine is one of the most important Christian pilgrim centers in Kerala attracting devotees in very large numbers not only from Kerala but also from the neighbouring states. This famous church is situated at Kurisumudi, a verdant hill in the Western Ghats girdled partially by the river Periyar.
Legends credit St. Thomas as having established about seven and a half churches in Kerala (here half is only indicative of a church smaller in size.) These seven churches were established at Kodungallur, Palayur, Paravur, Kokomangalam, Niranam, Chayal, and Kollam. The Malayattoor Church and the Tiruvamcode Church in the Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu are considered to be the half church. But some believe that the Malayattoor Church is one of the major churches built by St. Thomas and they argue that the churches at Kokomanagalam and Paravur must be regarded as one.
The first Sunday after Easter is a very important day at Malayattoor. Pilgrims, chanting the name of the Apostle, ‘Ponninkurisumala Muthappa’, climb Kurisumudi, the steep hill to visit the holy shrine. The Church has a life-size statue of St. Thomas and the imprint of the feet of the Apostle on a rock.
FORT KOCHI
Kochi has an entirely different look compared with the modern town of Ernakulam across the Vembanad Lake. Once Kochi flourished as the most prosperous business centre of Kerala by virtue of its location and the all weather natural harbour.
synagogue1.pg.jpg (18794 bytes)Kochi is the Home of a tiny JEWISH COMMUNITY descended from Jewish settlers who fled Palestine 2000 years ago. The nomadic tribes of Jews are said to have made their appearance in the north-west Mesopotamia in 1800 B. C. Abraham was their leader. They migrated to Palestine led by Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, and occupied that land. Driven by famine, some of them had to migrate to Egypt after 1700 B. C. They lived a miserable life as slaves until they were saved by Moses who led them back to Palestine.
The COCHIN SYNAGOGUE built in 1568 is the oldest in India. The great scrolls of Old Testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the rulers of Kochi were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles etc. are of great interest. The Jewish Town surrounding the Synagogue is a popular trade centre for spices. There are several interesting curio shops on the street leading up to the Synagogue.
St.FRANCIS CHURCH AT FORT KOCHI
It is India's oldest European built Protestant church. The Church was built in 1503 by the Portuguese Franciscan friars. It became an Anglican Church after the occupation of Kochi by the British in 1795. Vasco da Gama, the first European to reach India, died in Kochi in 1524 and his tomb Stone can be seen inside the Church even though his mortal remains were transferred to Portugal 14 years later.
SANTA CRUZ BASILICA AT FORT KOCHI
Built in 1902, this magnificent Church has a fantastical and bewitching interior.
VAGAMON
Vagamon is situated at an elevation of 1100 metres above sea level. It is about 60 km from Kottayam and 30 km from Pala. The important attractions here are the Kurishumala hill and the small church atop the nearby Kurishumala Ashramam, which is a monastery for Christian ascetics, who follow the Christian faith along the Indian spiritual traditions and the Gandhian thought. Vagamon is a popular spot for trekkers.
St.MARY’S FERONA CHURCH
This church at Athirampuzha near Ettumanur is famous for its annual 8 day feast known as ‘Athirampuzha Nercha’, which attracts a large number of devotees from all over Kerala.
BHARANANGANAM
It is an important Christian pilgrimage centre where the mortal remaints of Sister Alphonsa (1916-1946) was interned in a chapel next to the St. Mary’s Church. This 1000- year old church features an attractive Grotto of Virgin Mary.
Places of attraction in and around KOTTAYAM
St. MARY’S CHURCH
The St. Mary’s Church, known as Valiya Palli, in the town was built in 1550 A. D. It is famous for its 8th century Persian Cross with the Pahlavi inscription on it. Near to this Valia Palli is situated the Cheriya Palli (St. Mary’s Church) which was built in 1579 A. D. It houses some murals and paintings depicting Biblical and other themes.
MANNANAM
8 km from Kottayam. It is an important Syrian Christian centre. There is St. Joseph’s Monastery which is associated with Fr. Kuriakose, one of the saintly figures of the Syrian Catholic Church of Kerala. One can also see here one of the oldest Printing Presses in the state- the St. Joseph’s Press which printed ‘Nasrani Deepika’, one of the oldest newspapers in Kerala.
KOZHANCHERRY
It is situated 13 km from Pathanamthitta on the banks of the river Pamba. The place is famous for the MARAMON CONVENTION, the biggest religious gathering of Christians in Asia, held in February-March on the banks of the river Pamba. Christians from all over India assemble here to listen to the gospels read and expounded by scholars of Christianity drawn from India and abroad. For more details on Maraman Convention click here
THE MOTHER OF GOD CATHEDRAL, KOZHIKODE
It is the Headquarters of the Latin Catholic congregation in Malabar. Built in the Gothic style, the church is a tribute to the beauty of Italian architecture and the skill of Indian craftsmen. It is said that Italian architects were brought to Kozhikode to design the church. The church is a mute witness to the chequered history that followed the landing of Vasco da Gama at Kappad when the flood-gates of the Indian shores were opened to European navigators. History has it that the Zamorin, who had encountered the Portuguese in many a conflict, was himself the donor of the land on which the church stands today.
TANUR
Tanur in Malappuram district is a coastal fishing town of historical importance. It was one of the earliest settlements of the Portuguese in India. It is believed that St. Francis Xavier visited the place in 1546 A.D.and converted the local Chieftain to Christianity. Keraladesapuram Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu near here is one of the oldest temples in Kerala.