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Curch Festivals

Malayattur Feast

St. Thomas shrine at Malayattur a village about six miles to the north of Kaladi Ernakulam District is believed to be one of the ancient catholic shrines in the northern part of the state. This famous church is situated at Kurisumudi,] a verdant hill in the Western Ghats girdled partially by the Perityar river. The chief festival is on the first Sunday after Easter.The Feast, therefore, falls generally in the month of April or at times in the last week of March. The Octave is celebrated on the following Sunday. The pilgrims have to climb a hill nearly 2000 feet high and on top of it is the church.

Manjanikkara Church Festival

Located at Omallur in Pathanamthitta, Manjinikkara Dayara Church is a famous pilgrimage centre. It is here the mortal remains of Mar Ignatius Elias III, the Holy Patriarch of Anthioch, are kept. The important festival of the church is held in February every year. A large number of pilgrims visit the church to receive spiritual blessings.

Arthunkal Feast

The Arthunkal Perunnal (perunnal meaning feast) is the annual feast of St. Sebastian held in the St. Andrew's Forane Church at Arthunkal in Alappuzha. The event sees devotees from across the state throng the church to participate in the feast which is held in January every year. One of the main events during the feast involves a ceremonial procession wherein the statue of St. Sebastian is taken out from the church to the beach and back. Another intriguing event is the ceremony on the final day when devotees crawl on their knees all the way from the nearby beach to the church.

Vallarpadom feast

The Vallarpadam church (Our Lady of Ransom), is one of the major basilicas of the Catholic. It's the most important pilgrim centre in the country, in the name of Virgin Mary. Vallarpadam Church is also the centre of communal harmony. Portuguese missionaries built the church in 1524. The church is an exotic piece of architecture. According to tradition it was once known as the church of the Holy Spirit. Located on the middle of Vallarpadam, the church is a jewel on the island physique of encircled backwaters. Vallarpadam is called ' The Lourde Of Kerala' And ' The Velankanni Of Kerala'.The feast of Vallarapadath Amma is being held on Sept. 24. The feast lasts for nearly a week. The fair draws thousands of visitors from all over India and is a highly prestigious event for the localites of the area. The exhibition includes sale of country boats, crafts and straw mats