Thursday, April 1, 2010

MALAYATTOR

St. Thomas is believed to have landed in Kerala at Kodungallur (Cranganore) in AD 52.

Oral tradition says that while travelling through Malayattor, faced with hostile natives, he fled to the hilltop where he is said to have remained in prayer and that he left his foot prints on one of the rocks.

According to beliefs, during prayer, he touched a rock and blood poured from it.

The chief festival is on the first Sunday after Easter. It is traditionally believed that St. Thomas used to make the Sign of the Cross on the rock, kiss it and pray at Kurisumudi. The story has it that a miraculous golden cross appeared at that particular spot.

Pilgrims going up the hill call out incessantly "Ponnum Kurishu Muthappo, Ponmala Kayattom", meaning "O Patriarch of the Golden Cross! Climb we shall, this golden hill!" \

Please click on the photos for a larger view.


A breathtaking view from a vantage point above the hill.


A lovely sunset through the trees.







There are 14 Stations of the Cross on the way upto the hill top. I did not even climb upto the first Station of the Cross.I felt tired and and decided to come down. Coming down is more difficult than going up. One has to be very careful. One of these days I will climb up this hill not only to comfirm my faith but also to test my endurance and health.

I had a glass of tea here to refresh myself.


33 comments:

Melanie Statnick said...

wow, these are amazing images. Thank you for sharing this moment with us. Its wonderful to see how this is done in different parts of the world.
Peace

Brian Miller said...

thanks for sharing this joseph. have worked my way through the stations but yours sounds like an incredible journey to a magnificent view. i hope you have a wonderful easter!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Really amazing photo's and words Joseph, as I have said before you show us what many of us would not see and it is so interesting to know what goes on in other parts of the world.

I am doing a poetry challenge this month, an alphabet A to Z blog a day. Monday to saturday, it started Thursday at the letter A then B tomorrow and so on.
26 poems in a month, but I am determined to do it.

You take care of yourself.
Yvonne.

A New Beginning said...

Beautiful pictures as ever Mr. Joseph :)

Its amazing how graet people left so much to learn from...their words, their deeds , everything was an inspiration for one and all.

Our life is made up of numerous days, each placed one after another, some people utilize these days and their life turns into a book that inspires all, and each day in their life becomes an important chapter...

Hope everyones life becomes so enriching that it helps make a positive difference to the society!

Creativity said...

Hello Sir,

Thanks For Sharing About This Beautiful Place Along With Pictures :) :)

Valerie said...

Climbing that hill shows true commitment to their faith. The pictures tell the story so well. I particularly like the first picture. Thanks for sharing this, Joseph, it's lovely to learn how people celebrate in other parts of the world. Happy Easter to you and yours.

Anya said...

Hi Joseph

W_O_N_D_E_R_F_U_L

post !!!
So touching but the truth ....

Enjoy your easter weekend :-)

Anya

Amrita said...

I have visited St Thomas Mount church in Chennai and saw his relics.

This is an interesgting place, but the climb is very rocky and difficult I should imagine.

But people of faith walk it I see.

The hill of Golgatha where Jesus died for us is the cheif focus of our faith as it was there we received our salvation.

Have a blessed Easter Mr JP.

Mary's slave said...

Dear Sir,
Thank you for sharing the Malayatoore experience with us.
Happy Easter.

Bhushavali said...

Happy Easter dear Joseph!!!

Trip to Gorai Beach
Dressing while Camping

itsyvitsy said...

Joseph Sir,

Traditions are such a beautiful thing. They always test man's faith and strength. I see the same in this tradition as well. They are also miraculous because as the devotees accomplish the tasks their faith is reinforced and stronger than ever.

Wonderfully clicked pictures again.

Nadwrażliwiec said...

On the occasion of the feast of Easter wish you a wonderful time with our Savior in everyday life and dreams which can come reality :)

itsyvitsy said...

Dear Joseph Sir,

I just read your comment on my recent post. I wish to extend my gratitude to you to have spent so much time to write the comment. I salute your patience and wisdom.

You have read through my post so well that I can't help but have a sense of accomplishment at writing it. You captured the major points so well. Your comment is a beautiful post in itself. Thank you for that.

I live with my mother and wife in Bangalore. I am extremely grateful to God for blessing me with the presence of these two wonderful women in my life. My dad passed away ten years back and sometimes I dearly wish he was here to see me grow.

The post, however, was just based on certain negative thoughts, though they are not the same as Puneet's in this story, that I had to take it out of my chest. I needed a character with whom to associate the thoughts with and let it out of my system. They don't imply any of my feelings towards life. I am grateful I have this beautiful life to live.

Thank you so much for the time you spent writing the wonderful comment.

Have a great Sunday.

-Vittal

Anya said...

Happy Easter !!

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Kareltje =^.^=
Anya :)

carylsrealm said...

Very amazing! Thank you for sharing!

Grace said...

Beautiful post, Joseph. Thanks for sharing this to us.
Have a good weekend. :)

Raghav said...

Beautiful pictures!

And best of luck for your next attempt!

Unseen India Tours said...

These are some beautiful images !! Simply lovely !!Unseen Rajasthan

May said...

Beautiful pics & such an amazing story. Seems like a lovely celebration. Thanks for sharing.

Amrita said...

Dear Mr Joseph I can open your blog quite easily, just like before

May said...

I have an much deserving award for you Joseph.

Anya said...

Hi Mr Joseph

I can open your blog
no problems !!!
It works ......

greetings Anya

(Thanks for your beautiful comment on my blog :)

Arlee Bird said...

Thank you, Joseph, for continually providing us with such enlightening information. There is so much Christian history and there are so many Christian traditions that we in the West don't know about. I continually learn new things from you.
Lee
Blogging From A to Z April Challenge

JI said...

Lovely photos Joseph.

The history of Christianity in India goes a long way. Apparently St Thomas wasn't too keen about going to India initially but Jesus wanted him to do so. Isn't that wonderful a wonderful thought?

I'm really interested in St Thomas and what he did in India. I'm reading about it.

Anonymous said...

I hope you get this one back too.

It is a nice blog.

Herrad said...

Hi Everyone Joseph has been locked out of his blog.

Here is the link to his new blog
http://pulikotilthomasjoseph.blogspot.com/
Love,
Herrad

P.N. Subramanian said...

It seems all faiths demand an endurance test. Beautiful photographs.

Rajesh said...

Beautiful shots. It is nice to learn about the tradition and history behind it.

RG said...

Your Blog on Malayatoor pilgrimage along with the photos is excellent.

During the last Malayatoor season, I was observing some of the pilgrims who were going thru National Highway.
My attention caught a few of them with huge crosses - fitted with castor wheel on the trailing member of the cross as they carry it (or say - drag it.) I found it quite ingenious - proper nylon castors with 360 degree steel pivot. It was working well with the newly resurfaced tarmac of the National Highway.

Just my observation.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

awesome post.
Happy Thursday!

Thomas C B Chua said...

Joseph, amazing faith and grace. Prayerful devotion to the cross. God bless. Tks 4 sharing.

ZEAL said...

testing endurance and health status...wow !...Great expression !

Lovely pics !

.

P.N. Subramanian said...

Testing once endurance is OK when you are young and energetic. Take care.