Thumpoly

Thumpoly is coastal town in the Alappuzha district, India, and is a well-known Christian Marian pilgrimage shrine of Kerala. Thumpoly church - (St.Thomas church,Thumpoly) is a heritage church built by the Portuguese and was established in the year 1600 with stone and wood. Although this church is known in the name of Saint Thomas, it is the Mother of God, Holy Immaculate conception (Amalolbhava Mata) and her festival/ feast 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 rituals. In 1585 AD, The Confraternity-Visionary Community was established in Thumpoly Church. This church Includes under the Diocese of Alleppey - Roman Catholic Diocese of Alleppey. In the 06th century AD, a few Christians migrated to Thumpoly and established a small thatched church there called "Thomapally". Thus began the Christian tradition of Thumpoly. In AD-820 the bishops of Syria, Mar Sapor and Mar Proth, on their way from Manakodam to Kollam, visited Thumpoly, where the cross established and later the said cross came to be known as "Muthappan Kurish". 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. Thumpoly Church is one of the largest churches built in Indo-Portuguese architecture style in Kerala. Thumpoly is located at a distance of 80 km from Kochi International Airport, 60 km from Cochin city, 6 km from Alappuzha city, 20 km from Cherthala, 25 km from kuttanadu, 34 km from Changanassery and 52 km from kayamkulam. It is connected to Alappuzha, Arthunkal, Kochi, Ernakulam by road and railway. It is located on the edge of NH 66 (formerly NH 47). The National Highway 66 cuts through the middle of the town. The Arabian Sea is on one side, and a small lake on the other, with the beach of Chakara in Kerala. It is a natural habitat of many rare birds. Thumpoly is known for its canals, which end their course in the Arabian Sea. There are fishing villages on the beaches. The local population are also involved in coir making. Thumpoly is located on the border of Alappuzha Municipality. Thumpoly shares border with Alappuzha Municipality and Aryad Grama Panchayat. Thumpoly church is the largest landmark of Thumpoli.

Etymology
It is believed that the name "Thumpoly" came from "Thoma Pally" which means Church of St. Thomas. During the period of Portuguese, the place was also called "Thompolis" which means "The town of St. Thomas".

Visiting Time:- Visiting hours at Thumpoli 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 12.00 pm.

Thumpoly Church Feast/festival
The parish of Thumpoly is known for its church, named for St. Thomas and also dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Confraternity feast of Immaculate conception at Thumpoly Church is a historic and famous festival. Darshana Thirunal (Confraternity feast/festival) of Amalolbhava Mata (immaculate conception)-(thumpoly matha) 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 Thumpoli Church. The Immaculate Conception feast (Amalolbhava festival) at Thumpoly Church is a Thirunal celebration that lasts for (11) 18 days. The Tirunal - 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 feast day, is that of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on 8 December every year. (The main festival day is December 08th. 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. Ettamidam Thirunal day is December 15. 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/feast,from the church and the church premises to the beach are decorated with lamps and lights & etc.. and many people come here to see it and enjoy it. The statue of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception in the church is called "Kappalottakaari  Amma" (Sailor's Mother)  or the mother who came by ship in the year between AD 1580 - 1600s.  Important Vow (Nercha) "Pattum Kireedavum Ezhunnallippu". The main votive offering is the silk and the crown wake up offerings.And also there are many other vows/offerings.(Pattum Kireedavum Ezhunnallipp. 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 01st to 31st October the month of Japamala/Rosary is celebrated as a celebration.   These are among the important festivals and pilgrimage shrine in Kerala & Alappuzha district and Diocese of Alleppey.

Sites of interest
The landmark of the place is a 400 to 500-year-old church called St. Thomas Church, Thumpoly  which was built by Portuguese. The Thumpoly church is 400 to 500 years old and has a long tradition. 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.. The Thumpoly church is one of the important pilgrimage centers/shrines of State of Kerala & Alappuzha District and Alleppey Diocese, built in the Portuguese style. Between during the AD 1580s and 1600, 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. Thus, the statue of the Immaculate Conception (Virgin Mary) was enshrined in the church (thumpoly ). Thumpoly church was the first church in India at that time to have a statue of the Mother of God religiously and rituals.

Thirthassery temple is another important monument in Thumpoly. The typical Kerala architectural beauty can be seen this small temple. There is also a mosque near Thumpoly.

Thumpoly is connected by road and rail -way. The beach at Thumpoly is a tourist attraction. Thumpoly Beach is located on the west side near thumpoly church. Pilgrims and tourists also come here.

Coir handicrafts is a major cottage industry of the area.

The important areas near of Thumpoly are Poomkavu (Poomkavu - A Holy Weekly Pilgrimage Shrine), Chettikadu, Pathirappally, Omanapuzha, Kommadi, Poonthoppu, Mangalam and Malikamukku.