# St. Thomas Church, Thumpoly

Thumpoly St. Thomas Church Marian Pilgrimage Shrine is a Roman Catholic Latin Church in Thumpoly, Kerala, India, and is an ancient Christian Marian pilgrimage shrine of Kerala. Although this church is named after Saint Thomas, it is primarily famous for the feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception celebrated on December 8th every year. For the first time (Between 1550 and 1600) in India, the statue of the Mother of God Holy Virgin Mary was enshrined in Thumpoly Church. Even today, Thumpoly Church still following has the traditional/heritage traditional rituals. In 1585 AD, The Confraternity-Visionary Community was established in Thumpoly Church. This church is also known as "Thumpoly Pally". This Church Includes under the Diocese of Alleppey-(Roman Catholic Diocese of Alleppey ). Thumpoly Church, the second most important church in the Diocese of Alleppey , is expected to receive elevated the status of the second Minor Basilica in the Diocese. A few Christians migrated to Thumpoly in the 06th century AD and established a small thatched church called Thomapally there. Thus began the Christian tradition of Thumpoly. Thumpoly Church is one of the largest Churches built in architecture of Indo-Portuguese style in Kerala. Thumpoly is located 6 kilometers from Alappuzha city, 80 kilometers from Kochi International Airport, 60 Kilometers from Kochi -Cochin City , 20 kilometers from Cherthala, 25 kilometers from Kuttanadu, 34 Kilometers from Changanassery and 52 kilometers from Kayamkulam. Nearest Railway Station Thumpoly Railway Station & Next Alappuzha Railway Station. Nearest KSRTC Depot Or Stand Alappuzha KSRTC Stand. This is an ancient and is a heritage church with a long tradition that was built by the Portuguese and was established in the AD 1600s(With stone and wood). It is one of the important Christian pilgrimage shrines of Kerala and Alappuzha district. It is the second most important pilgrimage or Church shrine in the Diocese of Alleppey. Thumpoly church is under the protection of the Department of Archaeology.
Visiting Time: Visiting hours at Thumpoly Church are from 5.30 am to 8.00 pm every day. On festival days like Thirunal, the church will be closed only after 10.30 pm (unless it is busy). The church is not usually closed on important feast days. Or if it is closed, the Thirunada will close only after 12.30 AM or half night 01.00Am.

## History of Thumpoly Church

AD|From the 6th century AD, a few Christians settled in Thumpoly and thus the Christian tradition began. A small that church named Thomaa Pally Church was established here. In AD-820 the bishops of Syria, Mar Sapor and Mar Proth, on their way from Manakodam to Kollam, visited Thumpoli, where the cross established and later the said cross came to be known as Muthappan Kurish. Thumpoly church was established with stone & Wood in the AD 1600s. It was initially a small church. The first church was a small church with ola pastures.
Between During the AD 1550-1600s a ship sailed from Paris (France) across the Arabian Sea, losing control of the ship due to wind, rain and thunder and the captain hand over a miracle statue of Virgin Mary to be enshrined in the Thumpoly Church. In AD 1585 The Confraternity Culture is established at Thumpoly church. In the 1700s the current church was built by the Portuguese, who established 23 Churches in Kerala, and it is known and known as the first church of its kind.
Between the years 1600 and 1700, there was only a small church in Thumpoly. Between those periods efforts were made to build a large Church at Thumpoly . But all of them were attacked in war, fire and so on and due to financial difficulties it was not possible to build a big church like it is now. Later, in 1700, the grand church as seen today was built. The construction of the church was started in 1600 but due to some reasons it was stopped temporarily and then the reconstruction of the church started in 1624 and after that in 1700 the construction speeded up and the construction of the present church was completed in 1730. In A.D. 1680, Thumpolipally suffered another fire for the last time. The kerosene lamp that was burning in the church fell over and the church caught fire and the church was destroyed. But the people saw that the holy statue of Mother Thumpoly was more bright and safe without being exposed to fire. This is still believed to be a great miracle. But many historical documents related to the church and the mother were burnt. Thumpoly Church was last renovated in 2009 in such a way that Tanima and heritage were not lost.
Thumpoly church was the first church in India at that time to have a statue of the Mother of God and rituals. This Thumpoly Matha is also known by another name, Kappalottakaari Amma or "sailors mother".- 'the mother who came by ship in the year between AD 1550- 1600s. The Confraternity feast of Immaculate Conception at Thumpoly Church is a very historic and famous festival. And also Thumpoly Church and Poomkavu Church are important Christian pilgrimage centers located very close to each other in Alappuzha district. This Poomkavu church is a famous holy week pilgrimage.

## Features

* Church was established one stone & wood in AD 1600.
* In 1550 - 1600s in India, the Statue of the Mother of God (Holy Virgin Mary) was first enshrined here in Thumpoly Church.
* Thumpoly Matha is also known as Kapalottakkari Amma/ Mother of Sailors.(Because Thumpoli Matha came on Ship).
* Thumpoly is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage shrines in Kerala.
* It is an important Marian pilgrimage shrine in Kerala state, Alappuzha District and Diocese of Alleppey .
* Thumpoly Church and Poomkavu Church are important Christian pilgrimage centers located very close to each other in Alappuzha district. This Poomkavu church is a famous holy week pilgrimage shrine.

## Thumpoly Church Feast

The Annual Confraternity feast of Our Lady Of Immaculate Conception at Thumpoly Church is a very historical and famous festival. Darshana Thirunal or "Kombria Perunnal" confraternity feast of Amalolbhava Matha (Immaculate Conception) is celebrated every year from November 27 to December 15 at Thumpoly church.
Until a century and a half ago, the month of August was celebrated as the feast of the Assumption of Mary in Thumpoly Church. Except for the change in the date and month, there has been no change in the feast ceremonies or traditional customs]. Another special feature of the feast is the salve ledinj/litini and the statue of the mother used for it (a elephant horn salve statue dedicated by King Muthetada in 1607). Be a part of this special tirukarma along with Karmikan. The devotional experience of worshiping the divine form of the Mother of God with flowers, perfumes and incense is unique to the festival days. The Our Lady of Immaculate Conception feast at Thumpoly Church is a perunnal celebration that lasts for 18 days. The perunnal feast flag is hoisted every year on November 28. All devotees hold lighted candles in their hands while hoisting the flag. People come here from far and wide to see it. The main festival day is December 8. The perunnal Predakshinam (Feast Procession), which carries the historical Statue of Mother Mary, which is taken out only once a year, takes about two hours to return to enter the church. Ettaammidam perunnal festival day is on December 15th. Opening of Thiruswaroopa Thirunada Thurakkal of Mother of Thumpoly Matha on 6 December. The Thumpoly church festival ends at midnight on December 15. Every year from 6th December to 15th December and on the main important days of the feast/ festival , from the church and the church premises to the beach are decorated with lamps and lights and many people come here to see it and enjoy it. Important Vows/offering (Nercha) are the Pattum(Silk) Kireedavum(Crown), Saree Samarpan And there are many other vows/offerings.
Parish Feast of the Parish arbitrator Saint Thomas the Apostle (Thoma sleeha) and Saint Peter the Apostle (Patros sleeha) are celebrated on the Sunday after July 3rd(July 1st or 2nd Week). The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Ettu Nombu Thirunnal) is celebrated from September 1 to September 8. Every year from 1 to 31 October the Month of Rosary (Kontha Namaskaram) is celebrated as a celebration. This is one of the biggest Marian festival (feast) and Pilgrimage Church seen in Kerala and Alappuzha District.