Ezhukumvayal St.Thomas Mount Pilgrim Center Idukki

Over 2000 years, the followers have taken over the path Jesus took for the calvary. At, every follower of Jesus Christ cannot go to the Holy City

the practice came into picture in the middle ages, of showcasing these 14 stations in Churches and Chapels in the open air like at Exhukumvayal, where followers from across the country and abroad come to offer prayer and remember the suffering of Lord Jesus. This holy devotion is carried out by the people or followers in a spirit of self-punishment for forgiveness of sins. The pilgrims making their way to the station of the cross come and visit the holy place in apologize for the sins they have committed. 

The holy pilgrimage starts from the footsteps of St. Thomas Ezhukumvayal Kurisumala and thousands and hundreds of pilgrims flock to this holy cross to remember the passion and death of Jesus. They come here and remember the lord, his suffering and the good deed he did for his followers and man-kind. The holy cross is situated at an altitude of about 3000 and there are 14 Stations on the way before reaching to the cross located at the summit. They offer prayer to all the 14 stations and make their way to the summit where the holy cross is erected. Pilgrims visiting the mount can meditate peacefully as well as enjoy the panoramic view of the valley, which perfectly console the heart and soul after the tiresome holy trip. 

The stations of the Way of the Cross:-

§  1. Christ condemned to death;

§  2. The cross is laid upon him;

§  3. His first fall;

§  4. He meets His Blessed Mother;

§  5. Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross;

§  6. Christ's face is wiped by Veronica;

§  7. His second fall;

§  8. He meets the women of Jerusalem;

§  9. His third fall;

§  10. He is stripped of His garments;

§  11. His crucifixion;

§  12. His death on the cross;

§  13. His body is taken down from the cross

§  14. Laid in the tomb.

Ezhukumvayal - Syro Malabar Church Idukki

The Ezhukumvayal - Syro Malabar Church Idukki is one of the most important churches of the 22 Eastern (Oriental) Catholic Churches. This church is in full communion with Rome and is considered to be the second largest Eastern Catholic church, the largest one being Ukranian Church. It is also the largest of all the St. Thomas Christian (Nazrani) denominations and believed to have a following of more than 4.6 million believers. This church is governed by the Synod of Bishops and thus a sui juris church. It is headed by the Major Archbishop. The Syro Malabar church is considered to be one of the most vibrant catholic communities in the world with its high rate of vocations of priesthood and a deep rooted sense of spirituality and commitment to religion.

The history of Syro Malabar Church dates back to about 52 AD when St. Thomas, the Apostle landed at Cranganore and founded the seven Christian communities in Kerala. He worked very hard to spread the gospel and converted many people to Christianity. He was later martyred in 72 AD. For this reason the early Christian community in India was known as the St. Thomas Christians or Nazranis which meant that they were the followers of the Jesus of Nazareth. Since then this community has been one of the most vibrant and spiritual community in the whole of world and continue to be dedicated to spread the message and love of Jesus Christ all through the world.

His holiness Pope John Paul II erected the Eparchy of Idukki by separating the eight Protopresbyterates (districts)- Churuly, Erattayar, Koompanpara, Parathode, Rajakkad, Thankamany, Vazhathope and Vellathooval of the Eparchy of Kothamangalm. On 19th December, 2002 the bull of erection, Maturescens Cathiolica was promulgated and on 15th of January, 2003 the declaration was made. On 2nd of March, 2003 Mar Mathew Anikuzhikattil was ordained the first Bishop and on the same day the Eparchy was inaugurated. Today the Eparchy covers an area of 3000 sq. kms and is situated on the eastern part of Kerala covering the Idukki district. With a population of about 762040 people, out of which 304800 are Catholics it is one of the largest eparchy of eastern Indian. There are 150 parishes and mission stations with a total strength of 261240 members.

Apart from religious activities the Syro Malabar Church is also involved in many social and philanthropic activities. It is very much active in educational, social and health related fields and does a lot to good work to uplift the poor and the downtrodden. The church runs about 4860 educational institutions, 262 ecclesiastical and 2614 health and charitable institutions. It has been making tremendous contributions in keeping the society united and peaceful and thus making tremendous contribution towards nation building. The followers of this church are extremely spiritual, good hearted and helpful. They have created for themselves and others an atmosphere of peace and love, where everyone lives their lives in the shadow and love of Jesus Christ.

How to Reach in Ezhukumvayal St.Thomas Mount Pilgrim Center Idukki

By Air:-

Cochin International Airport:- Situated at Kochi (Cochin) is the nearest international airbase from Ezhukumvayal which is located 138.7 kilometers (2 hours 55 mins) away. Kochi airport is well connected with all the major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hydedabad, Trivandrum, Calicut, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Goa, etc. and the countries abroad like Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Muscat, Kuwait, Sharjah, Al Ain, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, etc. one can either rent a cab or board a state transport bus both from Madurai and Kochi for Kattappana.

Madurai Airport:- Situated about 158.4 kilometers (3 hours 10 mins) from Ezhukumvayal is the nearest domestic airport from here. The airlines that provide services at this airport include Air India, Jet Airways, Spice Jet, Paramount Airways and Kingfisher Airlines. The flights that ply from Madurai airport avail connectivity to Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Tirchy, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore, Mumbai, Delhi, and many other important cities of the country.

By Train:-

Kottayam Railway Station:- which is situated about 115.6 km (2 hours 56 mins) from Ezhukumvayal is the nearest train station from here. Kottayam railway base lies on the rout between Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram and almost all the trains that head towards Trivandrum stop here. Kanyakumari Express, Trivandrum Express, Kerala Express etc are the trains that run at this railway station and connect Kottayam with important cities of India like Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, etc. To reach Ezhukumvayal (Kattappana) you can hire a taxi from Kottayam or take a state transport bus.

Ernakulam Railway Station:- which is situated about 143.1 km (3 hours 26 mins) from Ezhukumvayal is the nearest train station from here. Kanyakumari Express, Trivandrum Express, Kerala Express etc are the trains that run at this railway station and connect Kochi with important cities of India like Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, etc. To reach Ezhukumvayal (Kattappana) you can hire a taxi from Kochi or take a state transport bus.

By Road:-

KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) buses that operate from Kattappana connect Ezhukumvayal to manifold towns and cities of Kerala and other states. Kattappana is situated just 12.8 kilometers (20 mins ) from Ezhukumvayal. Regular Super fast buses are available from Kattappana to many cities of Kerala like Ernakulam, Kochi, Trivandrum, Kottayam, etc. More than 25 buses daily ply from Kattappana to Ernakulam and in every half an hour you can board a bus for Kottayam. Private buses are also available for Kattappana from various cities. To reach Munnar from Ezhukumvayal, private buses are the only option. 

The distances from Ezhukumvayal to Important Tourist Destinations in and around:-

From	To	Distances	Time to Reach
Ezhukumvayal	Thekkady	38.6 km	1 hours 15 mins
“	Idukki Arch Dam	35.1 km	45 mins
“	Vagamon	53.2 km	1 hours 30 mins
“	Munnar	68.7 km	1 hours 40 mins
“	Cochin	144.4 km	3 hours 31 mins
“	Kottayam	114.1 km	2 hours 55 mins
“	Kumarakom	124.3 km	3 hours 15 mins
“	Alappuzha	165 km	3 hours 42 mins
“	Kollam	180 km	4 hours 10 mins
“	Trivandrum	224.6 km	4 hours 56 mins
“	kovalam	236.7 km	5 hours 15 mins
“	kanyakumari	310.1 km	6 hours 57 mins
“	Malayattoor	140.4 km	2 hours 57 mins
“	Athirapally	173.6 km	3 hours 45 mins
“	thrissur	185.4 km	3 hours 40 mins
“	Guruvayur	212 km	4 hours 20 mins
“	Wayanad	369.3 km	7 hours 40 mins
“	Madurai	158.4 km	3 hours 10 mins
“	Kodaikanal	167.9 km	3 hours 58 mins
“	Ooty	307.4 km	8 hours 05 mins

Near Hospitals

Taluk Hospital Nedumkandam. (7.0 Km 15 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
Medical Trust Hospital Nedumkandam. (7.0 Km 15 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
Karuna Hospital Nedumkandam. (7.0 Km 15 mins From Ezhukumvayal}
National Hospital Nedumkandam. (7.0 Km 15 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
Guru Hospital Nedumkandam. (7.0 Km 15 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
St.John's Hospital, Kattappana (12.8 Km 20 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Kattappana, (12.8 Km 20 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
Government Homeo Hospital, Kattappana (12.8 Km 20 mins From Ezhukumvayal)

Near Banks and ATM’s

South Indian Bank Nedumkandam (7.0 Km 15 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
State Bank of Travancore Nedumkandam (7.0 Km 15 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
Federal Bank Nedumkandam (7.0 Km 15 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
Union Bank of India Nedumkandam (7.0 Km 15 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
IndusInd Bank Kattappana (12.8 Km 20 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
State Bank of India Kattappana (12.8 Km 20 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
State Bank of Travancore Kattappana (12.8 Km 20 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
Union Bank of India Kattappana (12.8 Km 20 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
Canara Bank Kattappana (12.8 Km 20 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
Federal Bank Kattappana (12.8 Km 20 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
South Indian Bank Kattappana (12.8 Km 20 mins From Ezhukumvayal)
Central Bank of India Kattappana (12.8 Km 20 mins From Ezhukumvayal)