Malayattoor
is
one of the most prominent Christian pilgrim centers in the Ernakulam
districtof
Kerala. The Malayatoor Church of Cochin attracts a large number of
devotees from not just Kerala, but also all over India.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.
Besides the main shrine, visitors to Malayattoor can also find interesting sites in and around the hill top.Marthoma Mandapam
A very elegant and attractive building with a blend of Greco-Indian architecture, it is here that the precious relics of St. Thomas are preserved. Located at the peak of the mount, the building is erected in such a way that the relic is placed twenty steps above the ground, symbolically representing the twenty years of St Thomas's missionary works in south India.
Sannidhi
Among the structures on top of Malayattoor hill, this one has modern architectural touch, and is situated at the Northern most part of the mount. Here, the main attraction is the Piyatha sculpture moulded at the top of the chapel. The Sannidhi is the most spacious place for worship on the mount.
Golden Cross
Kurishumudi is where one can find the Golden Cross believed to have formed when St. Thomas knelt on a rock and signed a cross with his finger. He remained there praying for a long time, and ultimately a golden cross appeared on the spot.
Footprints of St Thomas
One of the most curious sights at the mountain is the permanent footprint and the marks of knees of St. Thomas imprinted on the rock.
The ancient chapel struck by the elephants
An ancient chapel at Kurishumudi, it was attacked by tuskers in the past when it used to be surrounded by thick jungle. Deep tusk marks can still be found on the back wall of the chapel.The miraculous water springA well, situated near the ancient chapel at the top of the mount is believed to be the spot from where St. Thomas quenched his thirst during his time of prayer. Feeling thirsty, he struck the rock from which fresh water started flowing. Pilgrims consider the water in the well to possess divine power to heal ailments.
With its recent recognition by Vatican as an international pilgrim centre, this famous shrine at Malayattoor dedicated to St. Thomas would be extending its healing touch and spiritual bliss to more visitors and for those who come to enjoy its serenity.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Angamaly, about 17 km from Malayattoor.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, at Nedumbassery, about 15 km from Malayattoor.
Administrative Office
Malayattoor Kurusumudy Adivaram, Malayattoor- 683 587
Ph: 91-484-2469008, E-mail: mk
Malayattoor(Malayalam:മലയാറ്റൂര്)
is a village in the North Eastern corner of Ernakulam District
in the state ofKerala in
South India.
The name `Malayattoor' is an amalgamation of three small words. Mala
(Mountain) Arr (River) Oore (Place). This is to say, Malayattoor is a
meeting place of mountain, river, and land.
Malayattoor
a meeting place of mountain and river shot into prominence when she
was blessed by the missionary work ofSt.
Thomas the
apostle of Jesus Christ.
He set foot atKodungalloor,
in A.D.52 and founded the famous seven churches. On his way
to Mylapore,
he stopped at Malayattoor.
A
hostile reception was given and his life was in danger. According to
the Ramban Paattu, he was forced to flee to the top of the mountain
and had spent days in the abode of God. In deep anguish and agony St.
Thomas prayed to the Lord and upon touching the rock, blood sprang
forth from it. In A.D.52 he reached Malayattoor and selected the
place for prayer and worship.
His zeal for the Lord took him
to Mylapore and
later died a martyr's death there in A.D. 72.Later,
while on hunting the local people found a divine light emanating from
the hard rock and upon examining the source they found a golden
cross. They later discovered the footprints of the great saint and
when this extra ordinarypiece of news reached the plains, people
began to flock the hills of Malayattoor.
Location
Located
52 km from Kochi,
the Malayatoor Church is situated atop the 609 m high Malayatoor
Hill. The church is dedicated to St.
Thomas,
who is believed to have prayed at this shrine. One of the most
important Christian pilgrim centres in Kerala,
this holy shrine attracts devotees in very large numbers not only
from Kerala but also from the neighbouring states.
This famous church
is situated at Kurisumudi,[2] a
verdant hill in the Western
Ghats girdled
partially by the Periyar
(river).
The Church has a life-size statue of St. Thomas and the imprint of
the feet of the Apostle on
a rock. This shrine has now been accorded an international pilgrimage
station.
Malayattoor
a meeting place of mountain and river shot into prominence when she
was blessed by the missionary work ofSt.
Thomas the apostle of Jesus Christ.
He set foot atKodungalloor,
in AD 52 and founded the famous seven churches. On his way
to Mylapore,
he stopped at Malayattoor.
A
hostile reception was given and his life was in danger. According to
the Ramban Paattu, he was forced to flee to the top of the mountain
and had spent days in the abode of God. In deep anguish and agony St.
Thomas prayed to the Lord and upon touching the rock, blood sprang
forth from it. In AD 52 he reached Malayattoor and selected the place
for prayer and worship.
His zeal for the Lord took him
to Mylapore and
later died a martyr's death there in AD 72.Later, while on hunting
the local people found a divine light emanating from the hard rock
and upon examining the source they found a golden cross. They later
discovered the footprints of the great saint and when this extra
ordinary piece of news reached the plains, people began to flock the
hills of Malayattoor.
St.
Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ arrived Kerala in
A.D 52. He travelled from Palestine to India with some traders and
landed at Kodungallur, which was a port in Arabian Sea at that time.
Historical evidences prove beyond doubt that there were many Jewish
families in and around Kodungalloor and it was a well-known business
Centre during the last years B.C. and early centuries of A.D.
St.
Thomas preached the good news of his Master and started seven
communities in different parts of Kerala and a small community at
Thiruvancode in Thamilnadu.
Situated
about 47 km from Kochi, Malayattoor is famous for the Catholic
Church, located on top of the Malayattoor hill, at a height of 609 m.
Dedicated to St. Thomas the apostle of Jesus Christ, thousands of
pilgrims gather here for the annual festival of 'Malayatoor
Perunnal', held during the months of March /April.
Sailing in an Arab merchant vessel, St. Thomas is believed to have landed at Kodungalloor port in Kerala, in AD 52. It is believed that St. Thomas took the initiative for establishing a Christian community at Malayattoor. In his journey through the length and breadth of the land, St. Thomas founded churches in Kodungalloor, Quilon, Niranam, Nilakkal, Kokkamangalam, Kottakavu and Paalayoor.
Blessed by natural bounties Malayattoor offers ideal environs for those seeking spiritual happiness. Nowadays, the hill shrine at Malayattoor has emerged as the largest pilgrim centre in the name of St. Thomas in India. Here, the big and auspicious occasion is the feast of St. Thomas, which is observed on the first Sunday after Easter, whenthousands throng the shrine for his blessings.
Those interested in the architecture of the church would find it highly interesting. It has a combination of Greco-Roman architecture with the altar designed in traditional Greek style, and the front portion of the church following the traditional Roman Catholic Church architecture. Behind the central altar, one can find the carvings, designs and paintings, which include the five joyful mysteries of Jesus Christ. The church has separate facilities for confession and adoration. The ancient baptismal pond and the traditional pulpit are of historical relevance.
From the hill side, one can watch the soothing sight of the smooth flowing Periyar river, which itself would make the minds of pilgrims calm and serene. The church provides facilities for bathing in the river. According to a custom observed here, pilgrims shave their hair and beard before bathing in the river
Devotees arriving at the shrine make several types of offerings. Some climb the hill carrying cross in their shoulders; women folk would carry long brooms with them with prayers for prosperity. Some pilgrims carry stones on their heads, an offering that is meant to remove burdens from their lives. There are various religious rituals in the parish church and at the top of the mount. Some of the services include high mass, ordinary mass, Novena, Adima, Vedi Litany etc.
Places to visit at St. Thomas Mount
Sailing in an Arab merchant vessel, St. Thomas is believed to have landed at Kodungalloor port in Kerala, in AD 52. It is believed that St. Thomas took the initiative for establishing a Christian community at Malayattoor. In his journey through the length and breadth of the land, St. Thomas founded churches in Kodungalloor, Quilon, Niranam, Nilakkal, Kokkamangalam, Kottakavu and Paalayoor.
Blessed by natural bounties Malayattoor offers ideal environs for those seeking spiritual happiness. Nowadays, the hill shrine at Malayattoor has emerged as the largest pilgrim centre in the name of St. Thomas in India. Here, the big and auspicious occasion is the feast of St. Thomas, which is observed on the first Sunday after Easter, whenthousands throng the shrine for his blessings.
Those interested in the architecture of the church would find it highly interesting. It has a combination of Greco-Roman architecture with the altar designed in traditional Greek style, and the front portion of the church following the traditional Roman Catholic Church architecture. Behind the central altar, one can find the carvings, designs and paintings, which include the five joyful mysteries of Jesus Christ. The church has separate facilities for confession and adoration. The ancient baptismal pond and the traditional pulpit are of historical relevance.
From the hill side, one can watch the soothing sight of the smooth flowing Periyar river, which itself would make the minds of pilgrims calm and serene. The church provides facilities for bathing in the river. According to a custom observed here, pilgrims shave their hair and beard before bathing in the river
Devotees arriving at the shrine make several types of offerings. Some climb the hill carrying cross in their shoulders; women folk would carry long brooms with them with prayers for prosperity. Some pilgrims carry stones on their heads, an offering that is meant to remove burdens from their lives. There are various religious rituals in the parish church and at the top of the mount. Some of the services include high mass, ordinary mass, Novena, Adima, Vedi Litany etc.
Places to visit at St. Thomas Mount
Besides the main shrine, visitors to Malayattoor can also find interesting sites in and around the hill top.Marthoma Mandapam
A very elegant and attractive building with a blend of Greco-Indian architecture, it is here that the precious relics of St. Thomas are preserved. Located at the peak of the mount, the building is erected in such a way that the relic is placed twenty steps above the ground, symbolically representing the twenty years of St Thomas's missionary works in south India.
Sannidhi
Among the structures on top of Malayattoor hill, this one has modern architectural touch, and is situated at the Northern most part of the mount. Here, the main attraction is the Piyatha sculpture moulded at the top of the chapel. The Sannidhi is the most spacious place for worship on the mount.
Golden Cross
Kurishumudi is where one can find the Golden Cross believed to have formed when St. Thomas knelt on a rock and signed a cross with his finger. He remained there praying for a long time, and ultimately a golden cross appeared on the spot.
Footprints of St Thomas
One of the most curious sights at the mountain is the permanent footprint and the marks of knees of St. Thomas imprinted on the rock.
The ancient chapel struck by the elephants
An ancient chapel at Kurishumudi, it was attacked by tuskers in the past when it used to be surrounded by thick jungle. Deep tusk marks can still be found on the back wall of the chapel.The miraculous water springA well, situated near the ancient chapel at the top of the mount is believed to be the spot from where St. Thomas quenched his thirst during his time of prayer. Feeling thirsty, he struck the rock from which fresh water started flowing. Pilgrims consider the water in the well to possess divine power to heal ailments.
With its recent recognition by Vatican as an international pilgrim centre, this famous shrine at Malayattoor dedicated to St. Thomas would be extending its healing touch and spiritual bliss to more visitors and for those who come to enjoy its serenity.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Angamaly, about 17 km from Malayattoor.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, at Nedumbassery, about 15 km from Malayattoor.
Address
Administrative Office
Malayattoor Kurusumudy Adivaram, Malayattoor- 683 587
Ph: 91-484-2469008, E-mail: mk
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