Malayatoor is one of the prominent Christian pilgrimage centres in India,which is located in Ernakulam district.St Thomas the Apostle who preached Christianity in Kerala has set up a church which is situated on top of the Malayatoor hill at a height of Approximately 609 m.The best time to climb is during the night so that we can avoid suns rays. Although there are several shops which sell juice and other items it will be better to let those wait till we climb down the hill. Climbing up the hill with a full stomach will make it more difficult. During rainy season be more careful as the stones may slip. The fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross are symbolically depicted from the bottom of the hill till the top. On reaching the top we can find the old church Nearby there is a rock on the hill which has the footprints of the saint and it is preserved inside a glass cover. On top we can find the Marthoma Mandapam also where there is a big grotto of the saint.A big cross which is gold coated can also be found on the top of the hill.
The Malayatoor Perunal is held during March/April every year.Every year on the first Sunday after Easter, thousands of pilgrims come to this shrine. The architecture of the church is very interesting and uses a combination of unique styles that are a delight to the eyes. It is a combination of Greco-Roman architecture with a traditional Greek styled altar. The front of the church has been built in the typical Roman Catholic architecture. The church has been decorated with beautiful carvings, designs and paintings that depict the life of Jesus Christ. The church also has an ancient pond. The climb down was a bit more difficult than the climb up. Hope all of you have a spiritual trip.
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