St Marys Church

St. Mary's Church (venerated as St. Mary's Forane Church Kuravilangad and historic St. Mary's Valiapally), situated amidst verdant rubber plantations and backwater channels in Kuravilangad just 25 km north of Kumarakom in Kerala, is one of the world's oldest, most historically revered, and architecturally monumental Christian pilgrimage basilicas.

Established in 105 AD by the ancient Saint Thomas Christians (Nasranis) who trace their faith to St. Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD, this nearly 2,000 year-old sanctuary is celebrated across global Christendom as the site of the world's first recorded Marian Apparition, where the Virgin Mary appeared to local cowherd boys.

It's the home of the monumental 48 foot open air monolithic granite cross (Muttukallu) carved from a single stone block in 1597, an enormous historic church bell cast in Germany in 1910, masterfully carved teakwood altars gilded in gold leaf illustrating Biblical stories, the sacred miracle freshwater spring, and the legendary annual Moonnu Nombu festival featuring the Kappalottam wooden ship procession.

It represents a rich cultural sanctuary where ancient Judeo Syriac Christian traditions, indigenous Kerala laterite timber architecture, Portuguese colonial art influences, and tranquil backwater landscapes unite in Gods Own Country.

Located in Kuravilangad along the Main Central (MC) Road (SH 1), it sits 22 km north of Kottayam Railway Station (KTYM), 25 km from Kumarakom backwaters, and 65 km south of Cochin International Airport (COK), easily accessible by private cab, rental vehicle, or direct KSRTC bus.

The 105 AD Marian Apparition & Nasrani Heritage

According to ancient Syriac chronicles, the Mother of God appeared in 105 AD to local shepherd children grazing cattle on a rocky hillock, instructing them to build a church dedicated to her honor.

A freshwater spring miraculously surged from the barren rock to quench the children's thirst, which continues to supply pure water to pilgrims to this day at the adjoining chapel.

Truth is, the church became the mother parish for dozens of ancient Syrian Christian settlements across Central Travancore, preserving ancient East Syriac liturgical chants and unique cultural customs.

The 48 Foot Granite Cross & German Bell

The Monolithic Granite Cross: Rising 48 feet high in the front courtyard, this grand stone cross was sculpted from a single solid granite boulder in 1597 AD, resting on an ornate lotus pedestal with stone carved oil lamp receptacles.

The Historic 1910 German Bell: Suspended inside the high belfry is one of India's largest church bells, cast in Germany in 1910, whose powerful, deep acoustic resonance can be heard clearly across a radius of ten kilometers.

Moonnu Nombu & The Kappalottam Ship Procession

Moonnu Nombu Feast: Celebrated annually for three days in January/February prior to the Great Lent, this feast commemorates the biblical repentance of Nineveh and the deliverance of Prophet Jonah.

Kappalottam Ceremony: The peak of the feast features a 40 foot decorated wooden sailing vessel carried on the shoulders of hundreds of seafaring Christian pilgrims from coastal Kadakkarappally, swaying in rhythmic sea waves around the church courtyard.

After exploring St. Mary's Church, embark on a tranquil backwater boat cruise through Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake, visit the rare solar shrine of Adithyapuram Surya Temple, or tour the historic temples of Kottayam.