Malayattoor is a small village located in the Ernakulam district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is situated about 47 kilometers northeast of Kochi (Cochin), one of Kerala’s major cities. The village is renowned for its religious significance and natural beauty.
Main points of interest in Malayattoor:
- St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church: Malayattoor is famous for the St. Thomas Church, also known as the Malayattoor Church. It is an important pilgrimage center for Christians in Kerala. According to tradition, St. Thomas the Apostle, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, visited this area in the 1st century AD, and the church is believed to be built on the hill where he prayed.
- Malayattoor Kurisumudy: The hill where the St. Thomas Church is located is known as Malayattoor Kurisumudy. Pilgrims often climb this hill as an act of devotion during the annual Malayattoor Perunnal (festival), which is held in March or April each year.
- Kurisumudy Trek: The trek to Malayattoor Kurisumudy is a popular activity among visitors. It offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and provides a spiritual experience for pilgrims.
- Adi Shankara Shrine: Another significant religious site in Malayattoor is the Adi Shankara Shrine, dedicated to the renowned Hindu philosopher and theologian, Adi Shankaracharya. The shrine attracts Hindu devotees and scholars.
- Panoramic Views: Malayattoor is nestled amid the picturesque Western Ghats, offering breathtaking views of lush green hills, forests, and the Periyar River flowing through the valley.
- Periyar River: The Periyar River adds to the beauty of the region, and visitors can enjoy boat rides or simply relax by the riverside.
Malayattoor is a peaceful and serene destination, attracting both religious devotees and nature enthusiasts. The St. Thomas Church’s annual festival is a significant event in the region, drawing large crowds from different parts of Kerala and beyond. It’s a place where spirituality and natural beauty come together, making it an interesting and meaningful place to visit in Kerala.
Malayattoor is a small town located near Kochi in Ernakulam district of Kerala. Famous for the pious center set on the slopes of the Western Ghats. The attraction of Malayattoor is its ancient Catholic Church very famous among the Christian devotees of South India. Everybody knows that Kerala is a scenic state with fabulous beaches, sparkling backwaters, picturesque hill stations, and exotic wildlife. Kerala is also famous for its sacred pilgrim centers. In fact, the whole of South India is blessed with many delightful and exotic tourist destinations and pilgrim centers.
Beautifully located pilgrim center in Kerala. The literal meaning of ‘Malayattoor’ is a place of land, river, and mountain. This holy center is situated approximately 52 kilometers from Kochi. The reason for the popularity of Malayattoor is its largest pious center in the country in the name of St. Thomas. It is also the first pilgrim center in the country that has achieved international status as the official seat of the Vatican.
Thousands of pilgrims visit this pilgrim center every year irrespective of caste and creed. Many devotees carry different sizes of wooden crosses while climbing the mountain of Malayattoor in April to offer prayers. The Malayattoor Feast or Malayattoor Perunnal is celebrated on the Sunday just after Easter. This well-known church is on the scenic Kurisumundy hill in the Western Ghats region.
Placed at a height of around 1269 feet above sea level, this church is a well-known place for reverence especially for Catholic Christians. Malayattoor Church is famous for its association with St. Thomas. One of the Apostles of Jesus Christ, St. Thomas reached Kodungalloor in India in the year AD 52 to spread the Gospel of love. He stayed in India for nearly 20 year and performed missionary work.
You can find 2 churches dedicated to St. Thomas in Malayattoor with unique architecture. The façade of the church has conventional Roman architectonics while the chantry of the church is in Greek style. The carved paintings and designs behind the chantry are worth watching. A lot of devotees visit the church to see the foot imprints of the Apostle on a rock and his life-size statue.
Location
The nearest railway station is Angamaly which is almost 17 kilometers from Malayattoor. Since not all trains have stops at Angamaly, it is better to get down at Alwaye to reach this holy center. Cochin / Kochi International Airport is the nearest airport to Malayattoor which is only 15 kilometers from this pilgrim center.
The serene and calm surroundings of Malayattoor church also give a refreshing feeling to visitors. The best time to visit this holy center is during March or April. Plan a trip to this pious center to offer prayers and enjoy the scenic surroundings. You can come back with a refreshed mind after your trip to Malayattoor.