There are many other famous malayalam websites which have the same information about St. Disrespectful comments on others religion won’t solve the problem and of course the article won’t be deleted if you speak ill about Christians. By respect, i mean even though the article might not have the proper information about the history, we’re obliged to “speak and comment” in a respectful manner. Sebastian and Ayyappa being brothers,Īt the end of the day we’re all humans and most importantly we’re malayalees and we are bound to respect each others religion irrespective of whether its Hindu, Muslim or Christian. To all the Ayyappa devotees and other hindus claiming that this article is fake as they’re mentioning about St. Let us live peacefully in harmony in our beautiful world. Later all these cooked up stories as brother and all evolved. Might be our ancestors visited the the temple before going to sabarimala and the practice continued even after. The remains of the temple were there nearby till 1980’s. Some of our ancestors changed to christianity and we still maintain good relationship with them. This name later changed as arthunkal as you see now.Later the financial conditions went bad and temple was ruined. The place where this was conducted was known as ‘Arattungal ‘. There was a pond nearby where ‘Arattu’ utsav was conducted every year. Our ancestors had a temple here and worshipped Lord Shiva. I am from Arthunkal and I belong to the very old Nair family of Puliyamkottu very near to Arthunkal church.It is my ancestors who offered land to build the church here. For the kind information of the author and all who commented here, I think I can tell you the true story.
Andrew’s Basilica is an example of religious harmony, a characteristic common to many churches and temples in Kerala.Įxcerpted with permission of Niyogi Books from The Churches of India by Joanne Taylor. They then bathe in the pond attached to the church or swim in the ocean. Sebastian, who they believe is the brother of Lord Ayyappa. After returning to Arthunkal the pilgrims pay their respects to St. Over fifty million people of all denominations visit each year. The Sabarimala festival is one of the largest Hindu pilgrimage sites in the world. The church welcomes Hindu pilgrims who worship Lord Ayyappa at the famous Sabarimala temple, 160 kilometres away. Andrews church | Photo: The Churches of India | Niyogi Books This is when one experiences India’s intense religious passion and fervour. The combination of the lights, heat and dust, incense and the smell of the ocean create a hypnotic atmosphere. By nightfall the lights decorating the facade of the church begin to glow and revolve in concentric circles. Sebastian while groups of drummers and jugglers entertain the crowds well into the evening. Long lines of women and children holding gaily coloured silk umbrellas sit patiently on the sand waiting their turn to see the statue of St. Dozens of stalls sell a variety of food, sweets, drinks and even household goods such as plastic buckets and brooms. Interior of St Andrews church | Photo: The Churches of India | Niyogi BooksĮach day the large area surrounding the church comes alive. Some hold gold or silver tokens, ambum villum, made in the shape of bows and arrows and even human limbs while others give a range of diverse offerings. This astonishing ritual known as uralal nercha is to show their respect and gratitude. Many devotees perform particular penances during the procession such as crawling or rolling the one kilometre between the church and the beach. It moves at a slow pace surrounded by worshippers and each year an eagle is seen flying high in the sky, seeming to follow the procession. During the festival the standing statue of the saint in an elaborate gold case is placed on a palanquin, a large mobile altar and carried at the head of the procession which makes its way from the church to the beach and back. Sebastian was shot with arrows on the orders of the Roman Emperor when it was discovered he was a Christian.
Seen just once a year, the statue is particularly moving and powerful to the faithful. It is a startling image of the saint’s body pierced with arrows.
Crowds at St Andrews church | Photo: The Churches of India | Niyogi Books On the 10th of January each year thousands of Christian and non-Christian worshippers come from all parts of southern India to take part in the eleven-day celebration which begins with music and fireworks. This amazing festival has made Arthunkal one of the biggest and most famous pilgrimage centres in Kerala. Sebastian who is known for healing serious illnesses and protecting followers from accidents. Originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century it celebrates ‘Arthunkal Perunnal’ the feast day of St.
It is the largest shrine dedicated to St. Andrew’s Basilica in Arthunkal is an important church.
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