FEAST OF HOLY CROSS SHRINE HOLY CROSS SHRINE CHURCH MAPRANAM

Panchayath/ Municipality/ Porathissery Grama Panchayat Corporation

LOCATION District

Nearest Town/ – 9.2 km Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus station Irinjalakuda K S R T C Bus Stand – 8.6 km

Nearest Railway Railway Station – 24.8km station ACCESSIBILITY

Nearest Airport Cochin International Airport – 46.9 km Holy Cross Shrine Church Mapranam, PO. Madaikonam, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur Dist. – 680712 Ph No: 0480 2826192(Vicar), 2822740(Office) Email : [email protected] CONTACT Website: www.holycrossmapranam.org

DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME September 5 Annually 17 days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth)

The popular sayings about the origin of the Church are noteworthy. According to some, a Cross was unearthed from the Kuhikkattukon locality and placed there. Unbelievably, a heavy downpour occurred the same night in the locality and once the rain subsided the Cross was found floating in a nearby the present Church Mapranam. It was immediately placed near the same well – the present sanctity. Another popular belief is that local rulers of the region were always involved in territorial disputes and civil wars. It is said that some of the rulers engaged “Nasranis” (Christians) to face the challenges they experienced and as a token of their service, built the Church and handed over to them. Yet another belief is associated with Trade. It is said that a port, named Konthipulam on the Eastern part of the locality was open for trade and commerce. The ruling King allowed “Christians” to conduct trade in the region and as a token of service allotted the ground to build the sanctum. Yet another saying is that the King, during hunting, found a Cross and allotted the ground to build the sanctum. Another belief is associated with Tippu Sulthan - a renowned warrior and ruler. It is believed that Tippu persuaded an outcaste Namboothiri to loot the riches of the locality. Tippu looted the riches, but was scared of the Holiness of the Cross, exempted the Church and the “Nasranis” from his blitz. The main feast of the Shrine is the Exaltation of Holy Cross.

Local 7000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

September 5 is the inaugural day of the feast and its main Flag Hoisting function is hoisting the flag. The most important days of the feast are 12 – 15. The Thirithelyikkal and Pushppakurisu Thirithelyikkal (procession) are on 13 September. The main ‘festal’ Holy Mass, Main Procession, Obeisance of Holy Relics and fireworks are on 14 September. The obituary of the deceased Pushppakurisu(procession) Parishioners is on 15 September and Octave is on 21 September. The Church was founded in 928 A.D, the Holy Mass Thirithelikkal (Candle Lighting) also started on that day. It is the traditional custom of the church where around 500 Octave worshippers light the candles which weights 1 to 300 kg. on 13 September-the eve of the main feast of the church (The Procession Exaltation of The Cross) of every year and yearly about 3,00,000 worshippers light the candles for they have received blessings from the Holy Cross. Worshippers have lighted Obeisance of Holy Relics candles made with bee wax since the church was founded. They also used different kinds of oils for Thiritheliyikkal. The Fireworks different types of huge candles were lit in the year 1986 when a non-Christian member lighted 64 kg. These are some Obituary of the miraculous happenings. Worshippers light huge candles that weigh their own weight, couples weight, their newborn baby’s weight or their family member’s weight. Main procession People especially Bishops, Priests, Nuns and Laymen who have visited outside India (Holy Land in Asia, Europe, Australia and South & North America), testify no huge candles anywhere in the world, except Mapranam Church.