St. Thomas Church, Thumpoly

Thumpoly St. Thomas Church Marian Pilgrimage Shrine  is a church in Thumpoly, Kerala, India, and is a well-known Christian Marian pilgrimage shrine of Kerala. Although this church is known in the name of Saint Thomas, it is the Mother of God, Holy Immaculate Conception (Amalolbhava Mata) and her feast /festival that made Thumpoly famous. For the first time (Between 1580 and 1600) in India, the statue of the Mother of God Holy Virgin Mary was enshrined in Thumpoly Church. Even today, Thumpoly Church still following has the traditional/heritage traditional rituals. In 1585 AD, The Confraternity-Visionary Community was established in Thumpoly Church. This church is also known as "Thumpoly Pally". This Church Includes under the Diocese of Alleppey-(Roman Catholic Diocese of Alleppey ). Thumpoly Church, the second most important church in the Diocese of Alleppey, is expected to receive the status of the second Minor Basilica in the Diocese. A few Christians migrated to Thumpoly in the 06th century AD and established a small thatched church called Thomapally there. Thus began the Christian tradition of Thumpoly. Thumpoly Church is one of the largest Churches built in architecture of Indo-Portuguese style in Kerala. Thumpoly is located 6 kilometers from Alappuzha city, 80 kilometers from Kochi International Airport, 60 Kilometers from Kochi -Cochin City,  20 kilometers from Cherthala,  25 kilometers from Kuttanadu, 34 Kilometers from Changanassery and 52 kilometers from Kayamkulam. This is an ancient and is a heritage church with a long tradition that was built by the Portuguese and was established in the AD 1600s(With stone and wood). It is one of the important Christian pilgrimage shrines of Kerala and Alappuzha district. It is the second most important pilgrimage or Church centre in the Diocese of Alleppey. Thumpoly church is under the protection of the Department of Archaeology.

Visiting Time: Visiting hours at Thumpoly Church are from 5.30 am to 8.00 pm every day. On festival days like Thirunal, the church will be closed only after 10.30 pm (unless it is busy). The church is not usually closed on important festivals days. Or if it is closed, the Thirunada will close only after 11.30 PM or half night 12.00Am.

History of Thumpoly Church
AD|From the 6th century AD, a few Christians settled in Thumpoly and thus the Christian tradition began. A small that church named Thomaa Pally Church was established here. In AD-820 the bishops of Syria, Mar Sapor and Mar Proth, on their way from Manakodam to Kollam, visited Thumpoli, where the cross established and later the said cross came to be known as Muthappan Kurish. Thumpoly church was established in the AD 1600s. It was initially a small church. The first church was a small church with ola pastures. Between During the AD 1580-1600s a ship sailed from Paris (Portugal/Also said to be from Italy) across the Arabian Sea, losing control of the ship due to wind, rain and thunder and hand over a statue to be enshrined in the Thumpoly Church. In AD 1585 The Confraternity Culture is established at Thumpoly church. In the 1700s the current church was built by the Portuguese, who established 23 Churches in Kerala, and it is known and known as the first church of its kind. Between the years 1600 and 1700, there was only a small church in Thumpoly. Between those periods efforts were made to build a large Church at Thumpoly. But all of them were attacked in war and so on and due to financial difficulties it was not possible to build a big church like it is now. Later, in 1700, the grand church as seen today was built. The construction of the church was started in 1600 but due to some reasons it was stopped temporarily and then the reconstruction of the church started in 1664 and after that in 1700 the construction speeded up and the construction of the present church was completed in 1730. Thumpoly Church was last renovated in 2009 in such a way that Tanima and heritage were not lost. Thumpoly church was the first church in India at that time to have a statue of the Mother of God and rituals. This Thumpoly mata is also known by another name, Kappalottakaari Amma or "sailors mother".- 'the mother who came by ship in the year between AD 1580- 1600s. The Confraternity festival of Immaculate Conception at Thumpoly Church is a very historic and famous festival. And also Thumpoly Church and Poomkavu Church are important Christian pilgrimage centers located very close to each other in Alappuzha district. This Poomkavu church is a famous holy week pilgrimage.

Features

 * Established in AD 1600
 * In 1600s in India, the Statue of the Mother of God (Holy Virgin Mary) was first enshrined here in Thumpoly Church.
 * Thumpoly Church is likely to get Minor Basilica status / other Higher status.
 * Thumpoly Mata is also known as Kapalottakkari Amma.(Because Thumpoli Mata came on Ship).
 * Thumpoly is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage shrines in Kerala.
 * It is an important Marian pilgrimage shrine in Alappuzha District and Diocese of Alleppey.
 * Thumpoly Church and Poomkavu Church are important Christian pilgrimage centers located very close to each other in Alappuzha district. This Poomkavu church is a famous holy week pilgrimage shrine.

Thumpoly festival/feast
The Confraternity feast of Immaculate Conception at Thumpoly Church is a very historical and famous festival. Darshana Thirunal (confraternity feast /festival) of Amalolbhava mata -Immaculate Conception- (Thumpoly Mata) is celebrated every year from November 27 to December 15 at Thumpoly church. Until a century and a half ago, the month of August was celebrated as the feast of the Assumption of Mary in Thumpoly Church. The Immaculate Conception feast at Thumpoly Church is a Thirunal celebration that lasts for (11) 18 days. The Thirunal feast flag is hoisted every year on November 28 at 7:30 PM. All devotees hold lighted candles in their hands while hoisting the flag. People come here from far and wide to see it. The main festival day is December 8. The Thirunal Predakshinam (Feast circumambulation), which carries the historical Statue of Mother Virgin Mary Thumpoly, which is taken out only once a year, takes about two hours to return to enter the church. Ettaammidam thirunal festival day is December 15th. Opening of Thiruswaroopa Thirunada Thurakkal of Mother of Thumpoly mata on 6 December. The Thumpoly church festival ends at midnight on December 15. Every year from 6th December to 15th December and on the main days of the festival, from the church and the church premises to the beach are decorated with lamps and lights and many people come here to see it and enjoy it. Important Vow(Nercha) is the Pattum Kireedavum EzhunnallippuThe main votive offering is the Silk and the Crown Ezhunnallippu. And there are many other vows/offerings). Parish Feast of the Parish arbitrator Saints Thomas and Saints Peter are celebrated on the first Sunday or second Sunday of July. The Feast of the Birth/Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated from September 1 to September 8.  Every year from 1 to 31 October the month of Japamala, the rosary is celebrated as a celebration. This is one of the biggest Marian festivals (feasts) and Pilgrimage Church seen in Kerala and Alappuzha District.