Churches
St.
Mary's Church, Cheriapalli (2 km of Kottayam town): Built in 1579 by Thekkumkoor
Maharajah, this church displays outstanding architecture which is a blend of
Kerala and Portuguese styles. The walls are adorned with beautiful murals made
in oriental and western styles on biblical and non biblical themes.
Thazhathangadi Valiapalli (2 km from west of Kottayam town): Built in
1550 AD, this church belongs to the Knanaya Orthodox Syrian Community. The Persian
cross, believed to be one of the seven brought here by St. Thomas, and the Pahlavi
inscriptions of this church are famous.
Jama Masjid, Thazhathangadi (2 km from Kottayam town): This ancient mosque
on the banks of the Meenachil River is believed to be 1000 years old. It is
one of the oldest in India.
St. Mary's Church, Manarcad (8 km from Kottayam Town): This is one of
the most important churches of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christians. The
ettunompu (8 day fasting) is the main annual event when devotees from far and
wide congregate to participate in the prayers and rituals
St. George's Church, Puthupalli: This church is believed to have been
built by the Thekkumkoor Rajas. The golden cross in this church is well known.
The feast of St. George (Gee Varghese) is the annual event.
The CSI Cathedral Church, built over 175 years ago, is a monument from the British
Era.
The Old Seminary, Marthoma Seminary and Vadavathoor Seminary proclaim Syrian
and Roman Christian traditions.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has its headquarters at Devalokam, Kottayam.
St. Thomas Mount: This holy place of Christians is located 1200 ft. above
sea level and offers a panoramic view of the Vaikom Lake and the surrounding
areas
St. Mary's Church, Kuravilangad: Built in 355 AD on the high ranges of
Kuravilangad town, this church has an old bell which bears an undeciphered inscription.
St. Mary's Church, Athirampuzha This church was built in 1080 AD and
was renovated in 1874. The annual feast here celebrated in honour of St. Sebastian
is a big event with fireworks and illuminations. Votive offerings of gold and
silver arrows set this event apart from other festivals.
St. Mary's Church, Kudamaloor:This church, 800 years old, was built by
Chempakasseri Maharajah. The ritual offering here is a traditional water bag
and rope used to draw water from the well. The Kudamaloor Temple is equally
famous.
St. Joseph's Monastery, Mannanam (Near Medical College): This church
was built by the blessed Father Chavara Kuriakose Elias. The mortal remains
of this saintly priest is preserved here. Thousands of devotees gather here
to pay homage to the saint every day.
Kaduthuruthi Valiapalli (on MC Road between Ettumanoor and Vaikom): Built
in 500 AD, the church has a huge cross sculpted out of a single stone at the
entrance.
Vimalagiri Church: This temple built in the Gothic architectural style
has a 172 ft. tower which is one of the tallest church towers in Kerala. The
feast is celebrated in December.
St. Thomas Church, Pala:The church dates back to 1002 AD and was renovated
once in the 18th century.
St. Thomas Church, Cherpungal: Believed to have been established by the
apostle St. Thomas, this church was relocated to the southern banks of the Meenachil
River with the cooperation of poet Kunchan Nambiar and his family. In 1107,
the Valiapalli was built on the original site. Here oil poured into lamps kept
before the image of Infant Jesus is the votive offering - a ritual similar to
the devotional practices of Hindus.
Aruvithira Church (11 km from Kottayam): Believed to be one of the seven
churches established by St. Thomas, this is also one of the churches in Kerala
which collects the largest amount of monetary offerings during the festival
days. The annual feast is celebrated on the 22, 23 and 24th of April.
Pazhayapalli, Changanacherry (21 km from Kottayam town): This 950 year
old mosque is one of the most famous ones of Central Travancore. The annual
festival, Thangal adiyanthiram, is well known and is marked by a grand community
feast. Meat and two tonnes of rice, offered by the devotees, is used to prepare
biriyani for the community feast on this day. The Chandanakuddam festival at
the mosque is one of the largest crowd pulling events in Changanacherry town.
Puthenpalli, Erattupetta: The famous Chandanakudam is celebrated here
in February/December
Kerala Pilgrim Places
Parassinikadavu
Sri Muthappan Temple || Thodikkulam
Temple || The Cave Temple
|| Rameshwara Temple
|| Temples || Churches
|| Thiruvegappura
Sankaranarayana Temple || Thiruvegappura
Sankaranarayana Temple || Niranam
|| Malayalapuzha ||
Padmanabha
Swamy Temple || Varkala
|| Parasurama Temple
