Maramon and Kozhencherry, on the banks of the rive Pampa 16 kilometres
east of Tiruvalla, have for centuries been recognised as centres of
Christian culture and influence. Maramon is also famous as the birth
place of Palakkunnathu Abraham Maplah, leader of the reformation in
the Syrian Church of Malabar in the 19th century. This village which
developed into a town has the added distinction of being the venue
of a religious gathering known as Maramon Convention, said to be the
largest Christian gathering in Asia.
It is during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the river
Pampa below the Kozhemcherry bridge that the Maramon Convention is
held every year. About a week before the convention, the sanded becomes
a scene of great activity. Christians from the parishes around Maramon
are seen carrying Cadjan leaves and bamboo poles and other materials
for erecting the convention pandal. The pandal has a seating capacity
of about fifty thousand. All round the pandal there are temporary
sheds and tents for various purposes furthering the objects of the
Convention. Stalls for the sale of religious literature, church offices
and restaurants are allowed to operate in the vicinity of the pandal
under the strict control of the authorities. Long valloms (boats)
with canopies, and stored with provisions for the use of families
from distant places lie anchored in the river.
The Maramon Convention is pre-eminently an assembly of Christians
who once a year come here for listening to the Word of God as read
and expounded by leaders of Christian thought from all over India
as well as abroad. Preaching and Bible study occupy the major part
of the conference programme. Along with the religious reading and
discourse, singing of hymns and praying for the sick and the needy
are also held. It is grand sight to behold the sea of humanity offer
prayers for the sick and the suffering for half and hour every day
for a week. Prayer and worship at the convention accompanied by singing
is a wonderful experience for every participant- an experience which
purges and cleanses his soul and draws him closer to God and to his
fellowmen.
The Maramon Convention displays co-operation and union between different
sections of Church in Kerala. It fosters ecumenical outlook. It is
also a source of spiritual inspiration and enlightenment for thousands.
The Naturemagics website is updated frequently. We invite
your comments and suggestions to make this site better. We also invite
you all to check out the blogs that we maintain.
