Edathua Church
Church Rd, Edathua, Kuttanad Taluk, Kerala 689573
Phone : 0477 221 2234
Image credit: keralatourism.org
Edathua is a place in Kuttanad, , Alappuzha district, Kerala, India. Situated 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Thiruvalla Town, Edathua is famous for the St. George Catholic Church known as Edathua Palli, established in 1810 .
The Edathua church celebrates its major feast during the month of May. It is an important destination for the Christian and non-Christian pilgrims. The old Edathua Palli was built when Fr. Thomas Olakkapady was the vicar of the palli. People from throughout the state as well as from the neighboring states visit the town and the church. St. Aloysius college which is under Mahatma Gandhi University built and managed by the Church parish is located here.
The annual feast of the above-mentioned Edathua church starts on 27 April with the hoisting of the flag and concludes on 7 May. During the feast, the statue of St. George, decked in gold regalia, is carried out and placed on the dais at the center of the basilica. St George is known as Geevarghese Punyavalan among Nasrani, St Thomas Christians of Kerela (also known as Syrian Christians because they used a Syrian dialect of Hebrew, instead of the Latin used by some western Christians, in special church prayers). How St George came to be known as Geevarghese and became one of the most popular saints among the Syrian Christians of Kerala is still a topic of interest for researchers to investigate adequately.
Devotees from other states are the main contributors to this Church feast and they spread themselves in vast area around, even staying in the private properties of the local residents. In fact, the feast, known as “Edathua Perunnal”, helped Edathua to develop as one of the most important commercial centers for the rice farmers and agricultural workers in Kuttanad region. During the feast most relatives and family members from outside Edathua come and visit their houses and thus it is an occasion for family get-togethers for the people of Edathua, like Thanksgiving Day and Christmas in the US and Europe. Participating in the feast is a very important pilgrimage for the people especially those from the southern Kollum, Trivandrum side of Kerala and Kanyakumari District of Tamilnad. During the 10-day feast, many of these devotees stay and cook food in the church premises and take part in a kind of ritual bathing in the river in front of the church. The colorful illumination of the church and traditional fireworks during the feast attract huge crowds of devotees and non-devotees.
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Visiting hours : 06.00AM to 08.00PM
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