Athirampuzha

Athirampuzha town is situated 10 km north of Kottayam town located very close to Ettumanoor. It is one of the oldest trading centers in Central Kerala. The place is believed to have trade relations with Middle East from centuries ago. Athirampuzha St Mary's Church is the major point of attraction. The grand feast, Athirampuzha Nercha, celebrated here attracts thousands of devotees. The famous Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple and Ettumanoor Sree Agnibhairav Nagayakshi Devasthanam are easily accessible

It is believed that Athirampuzha was a well-established developed village and settlements were there even at BC 1200. The famous traveler Marco Polo's travel descriptions, "The description of the world", have some references about Athirampuzha. While he was traveling through Kerala he reached a port town called 'Athiramkari'. The description of this place closely matches to Athirampuzha. According to Marco Polo Athiramkari was a trade center famous for Pottery, Cattle’s, vegetable market (still exists) and clothes.

Mahatma Gandhi University is located in Athirampuzha, so as St Aloysius High School, St Mary's Boys High School, St Mary's Girls High School, St. Sebastian Institute of information science and technology etc.

K.E. College Mannanam, B.K. College Amalagiri, Ettumanoor I.T.I., St. Ephraim’s School Mannanam, K.E. School Mannanam, St.Gregorious U.P.School Mannarkunnu etc. are located in Athirampuzha Panchayat.

Ettumanoor Town is only two Kilometers from Athirampuzha. Ettumanoor Rail way Station and Ettumanoor Industrial Estate (the only industrial estate in Kerala under the Ministry of Labor, Govt. of India) is really located in Athirampuzha.

Athirampuzha Market

Athirampuzha is an ancient trade center. It had both water transport and road transport facilities and this helped it become a much-frequented marketplace. The Market was established in1042 AD during the reign of Ayillum Thirunal Maharaja . From various parts of the coastal plains, a labyrinth of canals that branched out like the centre nervous system of the vast paddy fields, widened to a large rectangular pool known as 'Chantha Kulam’ in Athirampuzha which was the center of trade where boats could dock. It docked about 40 to 50 country carrier boats in motion. Around this lively water-body and beyond, the market in Athirampuzha teemed with men in motion, buying, selling, transporting or merely jostling in the crowd.

Mondays was the main market days in Athirampuzha. In the early hours of the morning, the bells of bullock carts woke people in the area up and the sea of activities will occur on otherwise peaceful road. Never ending chains of bullock carts moved along, in a slow jerky motion, laden with vegetables, spices, fish, coir or rice. The beasts wearily stamped their worn-out shoes on the black surface and created painful patterns, while cart-men lashed their merciless whips and pushed them forward. Men pulled handcarts faster than animals, with huge piles of banana bunches on them, as streams of sweat ran profusely from their bare necks and muscles and disappeared into the tightly wrapped dhotis. Groups of men and women walked happily home with provisions, balanced in cane baskets, for their homes. (Thanks to blogger George Andrews for this paragraph)

Athirampuzha remained as a famous port town till mid 1900s. Later more roads where developed which reduced the importance of backwater trade routs. The old boat shed (renovated later) still exists near the Chantha Kulam. Sāyujya is situated less then 500 meters from Chantha Kulam.

St. Mary's Forane Church, Athirampuzha

St. Mary's Forane Church also known as valiya paLLy is situated in the heart of Athirampuzha. It is an ancient church under Archdiocese of Changanacherry. The Church was consecrated on 15th August in 835 A.D. on a land donated by the Brahmin family of ettaNassEri as thanksgiving for a male heir born to the family by praying to Virgin Mary. There ancient stones with engravings and Thaliyollas in 'Nanam Moonam' (language prior to Malayalam) alphabet kept in the church states that the church was renovated in 1680 A.D.

The present church, a beautiful and grand structure, was constructed during the reign of Fr. Joseph Ithiparambil .The renovation began in 1962 and was consecrated by Mar Mathew Kavukattu, the Archbishop of Changanachery on 1966. The church brilliantly shows off western architecture and is 180 feet tall and 55 feet wide and the bell tower measures a height of 85 feet. The three bells hanging here were brought from Germany in the year 1905. The big cross in front of Valiya pally was built from a mono block of stone. The present presbytery is magnificent, spacious and grand in appearance.

Though the church is dedicated to Mother Mary, the fame of the church is associated with the annual feast celebrated in honor of St. Sebastian in the month of January lasts for 8 days from 19th to 26th with great pomp and splendor as people from all walks of life, religion, cast and creed pour into the church to offer their love and prayer to the saint and seek blessings from him. The feast, known as 'Athirampuzha Nercha' attracts a large crowd.

It is believed that the statue of St.Sebastian at Athirampuzha church was brought along with the statue of Arthunkal veLuTHaCHan and Kanjoor church by the Portuguese navigator Leonar Gonsalves D'cruz from Portugal in 1687. The above-mentioned churches bought the bigger statues and the third statue remained unclaimed due to its small stature. The Athirampuzha church bought the small statue. This is renowned as 'Adiyelpicha Roopam' featuring St. Sebastian having been through the flagellation by the persecutors. The statue of St. Sebastian in Athirampuzha is unique as it is the only statue of the Saint without any wounds and is very attractive.

Altar of Valiya pally

The Three big bells

Peediakal Mathew Ouseph Malpanachan was the Vicar of the church continuously for 24 years from 1873 to 1897 and was behind the construction of the Altar and the 'Roopakkoodu', that are unique and extremely beautiful. The extraordinary filigree work on the rusty fold altar in Portuguese style with engraved wood is truly an exceptional example of artistic talents and imagination.

The Madbaha (Altar) depicts the Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the queen of heaven, the Holy trinity and the trumpeting Angels.

The three big bells hung in the tower of Valliapally were brought in the year 1905 for Rs 2000/- during the stewardship of Rev.Fr. Horappasius Moopachan. The names carved on the bells are in honor of St. Mary, St. Michael and St. Sebastian. These are renowned for its resonant chiming. The bell tower measures a height of 85 feet.

Cheriya pally (The little/small church)

The present 'Cheriya pally' is situated 200 meters away from the Valiya pally in the location where the first church was established and blessed in A. D 835. It was renovated many times .The latest renovation of 'Cheriya pally' was led by Fr. Thomas Olakkapady. It was blessed by his grace Bishop Kurialacherry Mar Thomas on January 22nd, 1919 is now known in the name of St.Sebastian.

Cheriya pally is built in the gothic style and is known for its architectural splendor.

Church History

The church has a very interesting history. The Brahmin of ettaNassEry Illam, the chieftain of the local kingdom had all the comforts and fortune of life, but he was very unhappy and distressed since he was childless. He went on several pilgrimages in vain. Then pEroor thAzhe mAppiLa, a staunch Catholic, and a regular visitor of the Illam, suggested the Brahmin to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary and after much persuasion he agreed to do so. The Brahmin offered to give land for the construction of a church in the name of 'Blessed Virgin Mary' if a child is born to him. As a result of the devotion and prayer the andharjanam (wife of Brahmin) gave birth to a boy. As offered and as a mark of gratitude, they gifted land for the construction of the church. They discussed the matter of the construction with the then famous families like idam, thadam, thekkEdam, vadakkEdam and maNNArkunn~. At first a 'kurisuppally' was built under the authority of the Church at Kuravilangad. The church was blessed in the year 835 AD, on August 15^th on which day the feast of the assumption of the blessed Mary to heaven is celebrated. Initially, the priests from Kuravilangad church came and offered Holy Mass and performed holy rituals. In the course of time it became an independent church.

The church had witnessed many historical events. One of them was the All India Eucharistic congress celebration, the first and the last of its kind in Kerala, a conducted from 8th May 1929 to 15th. In memory of this great event, a big statue of the sacred heart with the raised hands blessing the parish was erected in 1934 near the grotto in front of the convent donated by Mr. Joseph Kurian Kuttiyil.

Athirampuzha church is also associated with the activities of Blessed Rev. Fr. Chavara Kuriakose Elias. At the time of the construction of the Mannanm C.M.I monastery, Fr. Chavara used to stay in Athirampuzha Church.

The Chruch Festival (Athirampuzha Thirunnal)

As per the record, the first time the feast of St. Sebastian was celebrated at Athirampuzha church was in the year 1647. Now, the feast is celebrated from19^th to 26^th of January every year. Athiarmpuzha and the surrounding places usually are in an excited festive mood during these days. Special Holy Mass and Novena for nine days are offered during the feast. The annual eight-day feast begins with the flag hoisting ceremony on 19^th and attracts a large number of devotees from all over South India. The dazzling display of fire works in connection with the festival is a sight to behold. The procession is a spiritual experience for the devotees. Band set including school-bands, flags, gold-brass-silver wooden crosses, aalavattom, veNchAmaram, thAzhika kuda and beaded ornate umbrellas etc. makes the procession very attractive and regal.

Though the feast of St. Sebastian is universally celebrated on January 20^th, according to the understanding with the mother church at Kuravilangad in the year 1728 the same is celebrated at Athirampuzha on January 25^th.

On the 20^th the statue of St. Sebastian, which is kept on the Altar of the Valiya pally is taken as part of the procession to Cheriya pally-St.Sebastian church. It is kept there till 24^th evening.

People believe that the arrow struck into the body of the saint had miraculous healing power and power to ward off evil spirit. To commemorate this, 'kazhunnu' (miniature arrows) are the main offerings during the feast. It is said that once Athirampuzha and suburbs were under serious attack of small pox, the people collectively prayed through the intercession of St. Sebastian for the healing of the calamity. As a result of this, the calamity miraculously subsidized. In commemoration of this, it was decided to have processions during the festival evenings through the streets of Athirampuzha.

From 19^th to 23^rd "Kazhunnu" processions are taken place from different parts of Athirampuzha and nearby places to the church. A huge crowd of devotees participate in each of these processions holding "Kazhunnu" in their palms. The processions begin usually at 4:00.p.m. and reach the church by 8:00 p.m. Cultural programs by various famous troops are performed after the processions. Votive offerings of gold and silver Kazhunnu (arrows) set this event apart from other festivals.

On 24^th and 25^th the splendid processions are being held. Famous Bandsets, Nagaswarams, Chendamelam, Panchavadyam, Theevetty, Venchamaram, Alavattom etc add hue and color to the processions. On the 24^th the first procession start from the Valiya pally at 5:00 p.m. and goes around the decorated and illuminated streets of Athirampuzha town reaching the Cheriya pally after about three hours. Then the second procession from Valiapally joints the first one and the combined procession circumambulates Cheriapally. The statue of St. Sebastian is taken along with the procession back to the Valiya pally. The dazzling fireworks that follow are renowned all over Kerala. The church grounds and the top of the nearby buildings are crowded with people far and near places. They reach ecstatic heights as the fireworks go on late into the in the wee hours of the morning.

The prime day of the festival falls on the 25^th. Special Masses and prayers offered from 6am onwards keep the devotees in a prayerful mood. The great procession in the afternoon is the central event of the day. It begins from Valiya pally at 4:00 P.M. and the procession goes around the Cheriya pally and returns to the Valiya pally.

The 26th is the festival day specially meant for the parishners. Special Masses and prayers are offered on that day too. The festival comes to a close at 9pm with the statue of St. Sebastian being ceremonially backed on the Alter of Valiya pally.

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Contact : St. Mary's Forane Church, Phone : 0481-2535559, 2530742

Varthamana Pusthakam

The historic journey of Kariattil Ouseph (Joseph) Malpan (Malpan means Professor) and Paremakkal Thoma Kathanar (Kathanar means priest), to Rome to represent the grievances of Kerala Syrian Catholics started from Athirampuzha boat jetty (chantha kuLam) in 1778. Athirampuzha Parish rendered great service to make this perilous journey possible.

The breath taking description of this historic journey is recorded in 1785 by Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar in his famous book "Varthamana Pusthakam". It is acclaimed to be the first travelogue among all Indian languages; It is an impressive travelogue of an eight-year journey to Rome and back in order to gain freedom for Syrian Christians from ‘Latin’ Bishops, written in 562 pages of lucid prose. Including few western idioms, it also argues strongly for the independence of Indians from foreign domination. "Varthamana Pusthakam" was first printed in 1936 at St.Mary's Press Athirampuzha as a result of the tireless efforts of Plathottathil Mr. Lukka Mathai of Athirampuzha. The press was founded by Fr. Sebastian Kulamkuthiyil, the then vicar of the Athirampuzha church, who was also a relative of Mr. Lukka Mathai.

The country-boat by which Mar Kariyattil and Thoma Kathanar traveled from Athirampuzha to Kayalakulam is kept as a sacred relic in the house of Mr. C. M. Lukose, Chemmachee in Neendoor near Athirampuzha. Mr. C.M Lukose is the successor of Poothathil family. The Knanaya Catholics of Kaipuzha and Kurumulloor were part of Athirampuzha parish fraternity till the establishment of Kaipuzha St. George church in the year 1813.

Charis Bhavan Retreat Centre

Charis Bhavan is a charismatic retreat center situated in the heart of Athirampuzha. The Centre, took shape in the mind of Fr. James Manjackal, the founding father, and it took concrete form on November 25, 1989 with the generous donation of land by Fr. Devasia Kuzhupil. The Centre is a haven for all those seeking God Almighty's presence and is also a channel of peace, joy and love to mankind irrespective of caste, creed, religion and nationality. Charis Bhavan participates in various charitable activities such housing, marriage, education and medical assistance.

The Centre is being guided and marshaled by the congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS). The center has been doing commendable work, for the past on decade, among people of all walks of life, attracting them to a blissful relationship with God.

Charis Bhavan School of Evangelization (CBSE) is functioning under the authority of Charis Bhavan. It conducts 30 days residential course in two batches (January to June and July to December), which offers laity spirituality and evangelization. Charis Bhavan publishes a monthly journal named Charis Jyothi, which focuses on Christian renewal and growth in discipleship.

Charis Niketan is a Home for the Senior Citizens and Retired Missionaries, religious and diocesans, from all over the world and it is an offshoot of the life and activities of Charis Bhavan. It is situated in the campus of Charis Bhavan.

Christ The King Church, Ettumanoor

Catholics in Ettumanoor did not even have a church of their own prior to 1960 and had to go to their parish Church at Athirampuzha. The Catholics had to first come up with the land to build the church. In 1959, Mr. C.L Sebastian (Devasiachan) of Chirayil Family freely offered a plot of land (The Vattathundam Property) right at the heart of Ettumanoor town which is worth millions of rupees. The Church was built in around 1960 and was named “Christ The King Church” and is popularly known as 'Chirel Palli