About St.Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, Kottayam:
Built in 1579 by Thekkumkoor Maharajah, St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, popularly known as Kottayam Cheriapalli, displays outstanding architecture which is a blend of Kerala and Portuguese styles. The walls are adorned with beautiful murals made in oriental and western styles on biblical and non-biblical themes. Feast Day: January 15.
Many stories and legends regarding the establishment and evolution of Christianity in Central Travancore surrounds this church. The legend is that the Thekkumkore (old Kottayam) kings were glad that Christians were living in their kingdom, as they were committed towards working hard to earn a living, and thus had taken the entire responsibility of their security. King Kothavarma, who was ruling the kingdom during that period, provided them land for constructing the church, without levying tax. A church was first built in 1550 and named Valiyapally. However, the congregation later split on ethnic lines and the dissidents built Cheriapally in 1579. It is said that two worship places were not permitted in a single village and thus the king had to divide the village into two so that both the churches could exist. The church was built by Portuguese architect Antony and his team along with the craftsmen of the Thekkumkore Kingdom (old Kottayam) in 1579. However, the Portuguese had no influence on the mode of worship in the church. It is typically dedicated to Syrian Christians. While visiting Cheriapally, one may feel that the architecture greatly resembles that of some temples in Kerala. However, the fact is that during those days, the mode of building every place of worship was the same, irrespective of it being a temple or a church. Kottayam’s iconic Cheriapally Mahaedavaka is an architectural marvel and a repository of legends.
Source from Google
Activity:
A place of worship and Ancient placeBest Time to Visit: December, January, Winter, February, March, Spring, April, May, June, July, Summer, August, September, Autumn, October, November, Monsoon
Location: Cheriapally, Kottayam, Kerala, India
How to Reach There:
Airport: Cochin International Airport
The nearest Airport Cochin International Airport . We need to take an private vehicle the distance between Cochin International Airport to St.Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, Kottayam is 87.8Kms
Railway Station: Kottayam Railway Station
The nearest Railway station Kottayam Railway Station . We need to take an private vehicle the distance between Kottayam Railway Station to St.Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, Kottayam is 3.1kms
Bus Stand: KSRTC Bus Station Kottayam
The nearest Bus Stand KSRTC Bus Station Kottayam We need to take an private vehicle the distance between KSRTC Bus Station Kottayam to St.Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, Kottayam is 2.5kms