Malayattoor, Christian International Pilgrim Centre, Ernakulam, Kerala,India

Malayattoor is primarily a Christian Pilgrim centre in Ernakulam District of Kerala in South India. There is an old Chapel as well as a new Church at the top of the mountain called Kurishumudi dedicated to St. Thomas, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. It is believed that St. Thomas visited this place on his way to Tamil Nadu from Kodungallur/Azhikode in Kerala where he landed first in AD 52. The main parish Church is at the bottom of the hill. The word Malayattoor is a combination of three words Mala (mountain), Aar (river), and Ooru (village) indicating the presence of these three items in the same place.

Kurishumudy which is the top part of the mountain at Malayattoor is 1269 feet above the sea level. At the bottom of the mountain, there is a lake garden with boating facility. Canteen run by the Church is available at top and bottom of the mountain. Other mini eateries are also available. There will be heavy rush during Sundays and Fridays of Easter season. There is no proper road to reach the top. There are some steps constructed in some parts. Otherwise one has to climb through the natural foot path with projected rocks. But there is ambulance service up to some level of the mountain. The main festival of the church is on the 1st Sunday after Easter. 

On the other side of the river there is a sanctuary of elephants brought from the forest and protected particularly the babies. Recently some parts of this sanctuary is shifted to some other place. Kaladi the birthplace of Adi Sankaracharya, a Hindu saint, is also very close to Malayattoor. He is a world famous philosopher and founder of the principle of ‘Advaita’.

Best season to visit Malayatoor is from January to April. For reaching by air, Kochi international airport is the nearest. By rail Angamali railway station is the nearest. Malayatoor is connected by road to many nearby cities in Keala like Ernakulam, Thrissur, etc. There is also limited accommodation near the main Church at the bottom of the mountain.

view from the top

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VELANKANNI CHURCH, VELANKANNI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

The church of ‘Our Lady of Good Health’ is situated in the village Velankanni (Vailankanni) of Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu State in India. Earlier the Church was under the Jurisdiction of the Nagapattinam Parish of the Roman Catholic Latin Rite. Later on it was raised to the status of an independent parish in 1771. It is a pilgrim centre visited by many devotees every day.

Devotion to Our Lady of Good Health of Velankanni was started from the middle of the 16th century. It is attributed to three miracles in the area where the Basilica now stands and very close to the newly constructed Morning Star Church. The vision of Mary and the Infant Jesus to a local shepherd boy, the curing of a lame buttermilk vendor, and the rescue of Portuguese sailors from a violent sea storm and the stories behind it are based on tradition and there are no tangible proof in support of it. There is also no statement by the church authorities that these miracles are approved by the Vatican. But pouring crowd with gratitude offerings shows their belief in the miracles. Three memorial chapels are erected in those places.

The first vision is said to have occurred in 1570 A.D., when a local shepherd boy was delivering milk to a nearby house. On the way he met a woman holding an infant. The woman begged for some milk for the little one. Without any hesitation, the shepherd boy offered her the milk and he continued on his way to deliver the balance milk. But later he discovered that the jug was completely full of fresh milk without any decrease when he opened the jug for delivering the milk.

The second vision is said to have occurred in 1597 in the same area. A woman with a young boy in her arms appeared to a young crippled boy selling buttermilk. The little boy with the woman asked for some buttermilk, and after drinking it, they had left. But the same miraculous experience was felt by this buttermilk vender too i.e., no decrease of buttermilk even after selling it to many people. He then started running with his lame leg with joy, but found that he was no more lame and cured fully.

The third incident occurred when a Portuguese ship sailing through the sea was caught in a storm in the Bay of Bengal. They invoked the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title "Morning Star". The storm subsided and the 150 men on board were landed there safely. In thanksgiving, the sailors rebuilt the small chapel and dedicated it to Our Lady of Good Health.

Though there is a railway station at Vailankanni, distant route trains are very rare. Passenger trains are available at intervals. But passenger link train and frequent bus services are available to Nagapattinam which is the main rail head to various places. Taxi, Auto-rickshaw etc. are also available. Nearest Airport to Velankanni is at Tiruchirapalli International Airport at distance of about 160 km. There are accommodation facilities  available under the church administration including A.C romms for pilgrims. Also all types of hotel accommodation is available here.