Venue : St.Mary's Church, Manarkad near Kottayam town, Kottayam district,
central Kerala.
Manarkad Perunnal is the annual feast at the St.Mary's Church at
Manarkad. Known as Ettnombu Perunnal (literally the eight day prayer
and fasting), this is the feast of immaculate conception celebrated
by the Christian community of Kerala from 1st to 8th September.
The retreat and fast begins on the first of September every year.
Pilgrims observing the fast stay in the church from morning till night
during these days.
The main kanikka or offering of the St Mary's church is muthukkuda
(highly embellished silken parasols). The church has a holy tank and
a golden cross which are considered sacred. On the last three days
of the feast processions are held with golden crosses and accompanied
by thousands of devotees holding richly decorated parasols or muthukkudas.
There were nearly five thousand muthukkudas this year.
Getting there : Manarkad is just 10 kilometres drive from Kottayam
town.
Nearest railway station : Kottayam
Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 76 km from
Kottayam.
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