Christian Festivals in Kerala

The main festivals of Christians are Christmas (25 Dec) and Easter.

Arthungal Perunal

The annual festival of the St. Andrews Forane Chuch at Arthunkal near Alappuzha is held in the month of January. This ten-day festival held in the name of St. Sebastian is attended by thousands of devotees from all parts of the State.

They express their gratitude by crawling on their knees from the nearby beach to the church. On the last day, a grand religious procession is taken out from the church to the nearby beach.

Edapalli Perunal

The feast at the ancient Roman Catholic Church of Edapalli Perunnal is situated on the National Highway (NH 47) between Ernakulam and Aluva. The annual feast of this church commences on the 23rd of April and the chief ceremony is held on the 4th of May.

An ornate chariot carries the statue of St. George in a procession with musical accompaniment and a brilliant display of bright coloured parasols. Fowls are the main offering at this church.

Edathua Perunal

Situated on the banks of the Pamba river, this massive shrine at Edathua- 23 km south-east of Alappuzha, resembles the churches of medieval Europe.

The annual feast here starts on the 27th of April with the hoisting of the flag and concludes on the 7th of May. During the feast, the statue of St. George, decked in gold regalia, is carried out and placed on the dais in the centre of the basilica.

Manarkad Perunal

Situated at Manarkad near Kottayam, this church consecrated to St. Mary is an outstanding Syrian Jacobite Shrine. The most important festival here is the eight day ritual fast popularly known as 'Ettu Nompu Perunnal'. A major chunk of the participants in the fast are women. The festival begins on the 1st of September. On the last three days, colorful processions are taken out with golden crosses and rows of brilliantly hued umbrellas.

Malayatoor Perunal

The feast or the 'Perunnal' at the famous Catholic Church at Malayatoor is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter, in the months of March/April. Atop the 2000 feet high Malayatoor Hill, about 52 km from Kochi, the church is dedicated to St. Thomas.

Koratty Muthy's Perunal

Orma Perunnal (17 Oct) is the commemoration feast at the church dedicated to St. Mary. Koratty is a prominently agricultural village and the people here attach much importance to the festivals in this church. The church celebrates its annual event - Koratty Muthy's Feast - during the second week of October.

Gettting there: Chalakkudy lies on the Kochi-Thrissur route.
Nearest railway station: Chalakkudy, about 7 km from Koratty.
Nearest airports: Cochin International Airport, about 30 km to the south of Chalakkudy.

Vettukad Perunal

The Madre De Teus Church, popularly known as Vettukadu church, is situated around 7 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The annual festival of the church is celebrated over the ten days culminating in the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Various religious rites are carried out during the festival days.

On the last Saturday, the image of Christ the king is taken out in a big colorful procession. A solemn High Mass, sermons, Eucharistic procession and benediction mark the final day.

Maramon Carnival

The Maramon Convention is held each year in February on the sprawling sand banks of the river Pamba, 16 km east of Thiruvalla town in Pathanamthitta district. Believed to be the largest Christian gathering in Asia, it is attended by devotees from all over India.

Religious discourses, singing of hymns and faith healing sessions are organized. Scholars of Christianity from India and abroad also arrive to expound on the gospels. The Convention aims at the spiritual revival of the churches in Kerala. It was launched in 1894 AD by the Marthoma Church of Kerala.

Parumala Perunal

It is at this church that Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, the declared saint of the Malankara Orthodox Church in Kerala takes his eternal rest. The annual commemorative feast (2 Nov, Orma) of the saint is celebrated with much pomp. There is a ceremonial procession on the day of the feast. Devotees from across the state attend the special rites and prayers offered here on this day.

Getting there : Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district is connected by good motorable roads with other parts of the State. Nearest railway station : Thiruvalla, about 11 km. Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 102 km from Thiruvalla.

Thumboly Feast

The parish of Thumboly is renowned for its beautifully constructed church, called after St. Thomas and also dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Alappuzha district. The feast of our lady which lasts for 11 days ending on December 8th.