- Source: 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. 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) & State Highway 66 (SH 66). 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 Thumpoly. Thumpoly is know for the birth of Legendary scholar and current head of Villyarvattom dynasty Sri Jijo Raju.
Thumpoly Church Feast/Festival.
The Annual Feast.
The Confraternity feast of Our Lady Of Immaculate Conception at Thumpoly Church is a very historical and famous festival. Darshana Thirunal (confraternity feast of Immaculate Conception- (Thumpoly Mata) is celebrated every year from November 27 to December 15 at Thumpoly. 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 our lady of Immaculate Conception feast at Thumpoly church is a Thirunal celebration that lasts for (11) 18 days. Every year from 6th December to 15th December and on the main important days of the feast/ 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 festival (feast) and Pilgrimage Church seen in Kerala and Alappuzha District.
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".
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 1550s and 1600, a ship sailed from Paris(Portugal)/from Italy across the Arabian sea, losing control of the ship due to wind, rain and thunder. Thus, the captain handover 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 railway. 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.
References
External links
Feast at Thumpoly Church