:: Malayatoor

Malayattoor is famous for the Catholic Church, located on top of the Malayattoor hill, at a height of 609 mts.It is situated about 47 km from Kochi, and 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. St. Thomas founded churches in Kodungalloor, Quilon, Niranam, Nilakkal, Kokkamangalam, Kottakavu and Paalayoor on his journey through the length and breadth of the land.

Malayattoor offers ideal environment 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, when thousands throng the shrine for his blessings.

Malayattoor 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 ancient baptismal pond and the traditional pulpit are of historical relevance. The church has separate facilities for confession and adoration.

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. 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.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.

Besides the main shrine, visitors to Malayattoor can also find interesting sites in and around the hill top.

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.


Marthoma Mandapam: It is 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 mission here in our country.

Sannidhi: The Sannidhi is the most spacious place for worship on the mount. 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 miraculous water spring: There is a well near the ancient chapel at the top of the mount and 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 all the sickness. This Church was recognized by the Vatican as an international pilgrim centre.

Footprints of St Thomas : The permanent footprint and the marks of knees of St. Thomas imprinted on the rock is one of the most curious sights at the mountain.

The ancient chapel struck by the elephants: It is an ancient chapel at Kurishumudi and 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.


Access through:

Rail: Angamaly, about 17 km from Malayattoor.

Air: Cochin International Airport , at Nedumbassery, about 15 km from Malayattoor.

Tourist Places in Ernakulam District

1. Cherai Beach

MONUMENTS

1. Bolghatty Island and palace
2. Chendamangalam
3. Dutch Palace, Mattancherry
4. Fort Kochi
5. Pierce Leslie Bungalow
6. Old Harbour House
7. Koder House
8. Delta Study
9. Jewish Synagogue
10. Synagogue at Chennamangalam
11. Paliam Palace
12. Vypeenkotta Seminary
13. The Dutch Cemetery
14. Thakur House
15. David Hall
16. The Cochin Club
17. Bastion Bungalow
18. Vasco da Gama Square
19. Fort Immanuel


MUSEUMS

1. Indo-Portuguese Museum
2. Madhavan Nayar Foundation
3. Maritime Museum
4. The Hill Palace Museum
5. The Museum of Kerala History
6. Parikshith Thampuran Museum


PICNIC SPOTS

1. Bhoothathankettu
2. Kumbalangi - Model Tourist Village
3. Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary
4. Athirapally waterfalls

PILGRIM CENTRES

1. Kaladi
2. Vamanamoorthy Temple
3. Santhanagopala-Krishnaswamy Temple
4. Malayatoor
5. St. Francis Church

OTHER PLACES

1. The Antique Sellers of Jew Street
2. Kodanad
3. Thani Illam
4. Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple
5. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Lakshadweep Islands
7. Willingdon Island

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