User:B4u007/sandbox

The St. Thomas Shrine Kurishumudi, Kanakamala is one of the most prominent Christian pilgrim centers in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. The Kanakamala Church attracts a large number of devotees from not just Kerala, but from all over India. St. Thomas the Apostle was the one who took initiative to begin Christian community in Kerala.

History
St. Thomas is believed to have landed in Kerala at Kodungallur (Cranganore) in AD 52. Oral tradition says that while travelling through Kanakamala, faced with hostile natives, he fled to the hilltop where he is said to have remained in prayer.

The chief festival is on the second Sunday after Easter. The story has it that a miraculous light appeared at the hilltop. Pilgrims going up the hill to call out incessantly "Ponnum Kurishu Muthappo, Ponmala Kayattom", meaning "O Patriarch of the Golden Cross! Climb we shall, this golden hill!"

There is also a Church in the name of St Antony at Kanakamala which serves as the parish Church at present. The annual festival of this church is known as 'Kanakamala Perunal' and it is celebrated in the months of March–April.

How to reach Kanakamala Church
The Cochin International Airport is at a distance of 25 kilometers from here.
 * By air

The Chalakudy railway station is at a distance of 7 kilometers from Kanakamala, but since most train do not stop at Chalakudy you can get down at the next railway station Thrissur (Trichur)as every train halts here.
 * By rail

Kanakamala Church is easily reachable from anywhere in Kerala and Cochin as the place is well connected by a wide network of roads. To get to Kanakamala driving down on the NH47, one will have to take a diversion towards Kanakamala from Kodakara and drive all the way up to Kanakamala village which will take about 15 minutes. Folks driving down from Ernakulam / Cochin can drive up to Chalakudy and take the same route or take the right towards Kanakamala after Chalakudy town on the NH47. Kanakamala
 * By road