Panchayat/ Municipality/ Niranam Panchayt Corporation

LOCATION District

Nearest Town/ Town – 9.30Km Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus statio Niranam church Bus Stop – 200 m

Nearest Railway Thiruvalla Railway Station – 113 Km statio ACCESSIBILITY Trivandrum International Airport – 26 Km Nearest Airport

St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Niranam P O, Thiruvalla, , Pin – 689621 Phone: +91-469 -2611006 CONTACT Web - http://niranamchurch.com DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME September Annual 8 Days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth)

Feast of Nativity of St Mary ( Ettu nompu ) is celebrated on a large scale on 8th September . Thousands throng this church to observe the feast of the nativity of Virgin Mary. People of other denominations and religions also participate in this feast. Niranam Church has a rich history of being the symbol of Christian faith in and a citadel of Orthodox Christianity since its inception in AD 54 by St Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. St Thomas reached Kerala in AD 52 and started preaching the gospel. He founded 8 churches. St. Thomas who had great respect for the Holy Virgin, named all these churches after St. Mary. At Niranam, St. Thomas baptised many people and ordained people with social eminence as priests, to administer the church.

Local Above 15000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

Holy Qurbana Prayers Religious speeches Feast of Nativity of St Mary or Ettu Nombu is celebrated on Procession a large scale on 8th September. People of other SandhyaNamaskkaram Nerchavilambu denominations and religions also participate in this feast. Pradakshinam Festivities include Holy Qurbana, Sandhya Namaskaram, Ganasusrusha (Musical prayers), Blessing unity of devotees. Nerchavilambu is the main ritual associated with the festival. The 8th day witnesses various events including religious procession.