St Alphonsa’s Tomb
St. Mary's Church, Bharananganam, nestled on the banks of Meenachil River, five kilometres east of Pala in Kottayam district, is a significant destination for pilgrims and travellers alike. Known as the final resting place of St. Alphonsa, the church exudes an aura of reverence and devotion, attracting thousands of devout visitors each year.
Historical Significance
St. Mary's Church, also known as Anakkallu (elephant stone) church, traces its history back to the late 19th century. Over the years, it has evolved into a revered pilgrimage site, especially after the beatification and canonization of St. Alphonsa. The church's historical and spiritual importance makes it a cornerstone of faith in the region.
Architecture
The church's architecture is a blend of traditional and modern styles, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Kerala. The serene environment, coupled with the beautiful interiors and exteriors, provides a perfect setting for reflection and prayer. The well-maintained gardens and the peaceful ambiance enhance the spiritual experience for visitors.
The Tomb of St. Alphonsa
The primary reason for drawing pilgrims to St. Mary's Church is its association with St. Alphonsa, the first woman of Indian origin to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Born Anna Muttathupadathu, St. Alphonsa dedicated her life to faith despite enduring immense suffering.Â
The mortal remains of the St. Alphonsa are entombed at this church, making it a focal point of reverence and prayer for devotees. Pilgrims from across the globe visit this sacred site to seek blessings and offer prayers. The tomb is a testament to her enduring legacy and the deep faith of her followers.
Pilgrimage Route
Embark on a spiritual pilgrimage tracing St. Alphonsa's life, starting from her birthplace at Muttathupadam House in Kudamalur, just six kilometers from Panambalan Junction on the Kottayam-Medical College route.Â
Visit St. Mary’s Forane Church, where she was baptized, a kilometre away. Then, travel 13 kilometres to the Murikkan House in Muttuchira, where she spent her childhood.Â
Continue 22 kilometres beyond Pala to Bharananganam, where she dedicated her life at the Franciscan Clarist Convent and attained martyrdom.
In Bharananganam, visit St. Mary's Church, also known as Anakallu Church, housing her tomb, and explore the Alphonsa Museum for deeper insights into her legacy.
Pilgrimage and Festivities
Throughout the year, the church hosts numerous religious ceremonies and festivals, with the annual feast of St. Alphonsa being the most prominent. This event draws large crowds, with special prayers, masses, and processions held in honor of the saint. The vibrant festivities provide a glimpse into the local traditions and the profound faith of the community.
Bharananganam is easily accessible from Kottayam, with well-connected roads and public transport options. By air, the nearest airport is Cochin International Airport. By train the nearest railway station is Kottayam.
The best time to visit is during the cooler months from October to March. Visitors are encouraged to dress modestly and respect the sanctity of the church premises.
St. Mary's Church, Bharananganam is a beacon of faith, hope, and devotion. Come, immerse yourself in the divine serenity of St. Mary's Church and be inspired by the life and legacy of St. Alphonsa.
These digital guides serve as invaluable tools for travellers planning their Kerala vacations.
E-Brochure on Kottayam: A Journey through the Tales of Nature - Heritage, Hills and Backwaters
Luxuriously covered with rubber plantations, Kottayam is also home to the majestic Vembanad Lake. The district has a rich literary tradition and is the birthplace of the publishing industry in Kerala.
Looking for nearby destinations? Check-out these!
Here's a wide range of accredited hospitality services available in St Alphonsa’s Tomb.
Your safety is our top priority: Choose from a select group of accredited adventure tour operators for an unforgettable experience.
Vital local information you'll need to make your travel hassle free.
Rope in accredited tour guides to get an authentic taste of local experiences.
Sunil Daniel
sunildaniel21@gmail.comSivasankara Panicker.P
pspanicker@hotmail.comAnaz.A.B
basheer.anaz@gmail.comDanti Jacob C J
dantijacob@gmail.comSajukurian
sajukurian56@gmail.comRemya Mohan
akkuremo@gmail.comArun Sebastian
travelwitharun@mail.comRajeevan Pallath
parajeevan@yahoo.comSathyadas K S
sathyadassathya69@gmail.comAjith . K . Moses
ajithkmoses11@gmail.comJojan Mathew
jojanstourindia@rediffmail.comSanjay Johnson
sanjayjohnson@hotmail.comShajas P S
shajasvaikom@gmail.comLinson C L
linsoncl.07@gmail.comBipin Mathew
bipinpaduva@gmail.comPrasannakumar S.
prasannakumarnath1@gmail.comTed Tony Tom
beachwood.in@gmail.comRejanish.V.S
rejanish100@gmail.comAbdulkhadar P.M.
abdulkhadar.parekkattu@gmail.comShafi C M
shaaficm@gmail.comRosemary Neel
cochinroadking@gmail.comJoseph Kuriakose
shinekuriakose082@gmail.comSreejith Mohan
sreejith319@gmail.comJaisal M. K.
jaisalmk@gmail.comJunaid K.K
junucer247@gmail.comMuraleedharan Pillai.N
murali7808@gmail.comSuresh Kumar P
sureshethnic@gmail.comSadanandan.T.K
tksadanandan44@gmail.comAswathy U
achoosasok@gmail.comBinu P Jose
binujoseonline@gmail.comSuresh Kumar .K
achuammu.suresh@gmail.comDileep Kumar V
dilzlieben75@gmail.comSundaramoorthy C.K
sundramoorthy@gmail.comSanthosh.S.R
santsou@gmail.comSajeev C T
ctsajeevcochin@yahoo.co.inVishnu Vijayan
vishnuxml@gmail.comRajesh V
Rajeshkhd2008@gmail.comHareesh Das H
harisunora@gmail.comAshkar Rahim
ashkarrahim@gmail.comSunil.S
ethnicvoyages@gmail.comSebastian M J
mjsebastian02@gmail.comFelix George
felixgeorgesaji@gmail.comDeepu Sebastian
deepusebastiankkd@gmail.comRajan Joseph
rajanjoseph2697@gmail.comVarghese K.J
kjvarghese2010@gmail.comSibil Kumar.P.K
pksibil@gmail.comBinumon K.G
binumonkg@gmail.comVivek Kurian
vivekkoottanal@gmail.comJobin Chacko
jobipnpnl@gmail.comVijayakumar J
vijaythonnakkal@gmail.comAbhilash P Gopinath
abylashg@gmail.comSiddharth V.S
siddvs12@gmail.comMinimol Thomas
minimolthomas111@gmail.comSuresh K. B
sureshkbwyd@gmail.comDr.Jose Bejoy
withfullofgrace@gmail.comPadmaraj KM
Padmarajnair16@gmail.comArunkumar .S.S
arun777hiya@gmail.comSai Ramesh
saitheguide@gmail.comSajin B.J.
sajinbj@gmail.comSreejith M.K
sreejithm053@gmail.comDeepa Francis
diepafb@gmail.comAncel Correya
ancel.kestrel@gmail.comMohana Chandran B.
mohana_1960@yahoo.co.inSaneesh T.P
sanimsw@gmail.comJosemon Scaria
josemon.scaria@gmail.comAlso, do not miss out on these Churches
Sign up for Kerala Tourism's monthly newsletter to learn about our events, offers and more…