Thumpoly is coastal town in the Alappuzha District and is a famous well-known Christian Marian pilgrimage shrine of

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...

. Thumpoly church ( St.Thomas church,Thumpoly) is an ancient church built by the

Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Portu ...

and was established in the year 1600s. This church Includes under the Diocese of Alleppey-

Roman Catholic Diocese of Alleppey The Roman Catholic Diocese of Alleppey ( la, Alleppeyen(sis)) is a diocese centered on the city of Alleppey in the Ecclesiastical province of Trivandrum in India. It lies along the Arabian Sea between the dioceses of Cochin and Quilon, coveri ...

. Thumpoly It is located at a distance of 80 km from

Kochi International Airport Cochin International Airport is an International airport serving the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. Located at Nedumbassery, about northeast of the city centre, Cochin International Airport is first of its kind which is develo ...

, 60 Km from

Kochi Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Ke ...

Cochin Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Kerala, the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part ...

City , 6 km from Alappuzha city, 20 km from

Cherthala Cherthala, , (formerly Shertalai, Shertallai or Shertallay) is a Municipal town and a Taluk located at National highway 66 in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. Cherthala is the satellite town and industrial hub of Al ...

, 25 km from

kuttanadu Kuttanad ( ml, കുട്ടനാട്‌) is a region covering the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lo ...

, 34 Km from

Changanassery Changanassery or Changanacherry is a municipal town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India. History The first recorded history on the origin of Changanacherry is obtained from Sangam period literature. According to Sangam era ...

and 52 km from

kayamkulam Kayamkulam is a town and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in Kerala. It is the second biggest town in Alappuzha district. It is located on the western coast of India, and was an ancient maritime trading center. O ...

. It is connected to Alappuzha, Arthunkal, Kochi, Ernakulam by road and railway. It is located on the edge of

NH 66 National Highway 66, commonly referred to as NH 66 (erstwhile NH-17 and a part of NH-47), is a mostly 4 lane long busy National Highway that runs roughly north–south along the western coast of India, parallel to the Western Ghats. It conn ...

(formerly NH 47).The

National Highway 66 The following highways are numbered 66: Australia * Barkly Highway (Northern Territory) * Riddoch Highway Canada * Alberta Highway 66 * Highway 66 (Ontario) Finland * Kantatie 66 (Orivesi — Lapua) France * A66 autoroute Germany * Bunde ...

cuts through the middle of the town. The

Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea ( ar, اَلْبَحرْ ٱلْعَرَبِيُّ, Al-Bahr al-ˁArabī) is a region of the northern Indian Ocean bounded on the north by Pakistan, Iran and the Gulf of Oman, on the west by the Gulf of Aden, Guardafui Channel ...

is on one side, and a small lake on the other, with the beach of Chakara in Kerala. It is a natural habitat of many rare birds. Thumpoly is known for its canals, which end their course in the Arabian Sea. There are fishing villages on the beaches. The local population are also involved in coir making. Thumpoli is located on the border of Alappuzha Municipality. Thumpoly shares border with Alappuzha Municipality and Aryad Grama Panchayat. Thumpoly church is the largest landmark of Thumpoli.

Etymology

It is believed that the name 'Thumpoly' came from 'Thoma Pally' which means Church of St. Thomas. During the period of

, the place was also called 'Thompolis' which means 'The town of St. Thomas'.

Thumpoly Church Feast

The parish of Thumpoly is known for its church, named for St. Thomas and also dedicated to the Blessed

Virgin Mary Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of ...

. Darshana Thirunal of Amalolbhava Mata (thumpoly matha) is celebrated every year from November 27 to December 15 at Thumpoly church. The main feast which lasts for (11) 19 days, is that of the

Immaculate Conception The Immaculate Conception is the belief that the Virgin Mary was free of original sin from the moment of her conception. It is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church, meaning that it is held to be a divinely revealed truth w ...

, celebrated on 08 December every year ( The main festival day is December 08th.). Ettamidam Thirunal day is December 15th. The statue of 'Our Lady' of Immaculate Conception in the church is called 'Kappalottakaari Amma' (Sailors Mother ) or 'the mother who came by ship in the year 1600- 1602s. Important Vow (Nercha) `` Pattum Kireedavum Ezhunnallippu´´.The main votive offering is the silk and the crown wake up offerings.And also there are many other vows/offerings.(Pattum Kireedavum Ezhunnallipp) . And also on the first Sunday of July, the week of Thomasliha - St. Thomas's day feast is also celebrated. The Feast of the Birth(Nativity) of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated from September 1st to September 8th. Every year from 01st to 31st October the month of Japamala/Rosary is celebrated as a celebration. Kala Keralam::Festivals
/ref>These are the one of the most important festivals and pilgrimage shrine in Kerala & Alappuzha district and Diocese of Alleppey.

Sites of interest

The landmark of the place is a 400 to 500-year-old church called St. Thomas Church, Thumpoly which was built by Portuguese. The Thumpoly church is 400 to 500 years old and has a long tradition. The Thumpoly church is one of the important pilgrimage centers/shrines of State of Kerala & Alappuzha District and Alleppey Diocese, built in the Portuguese style. During the 1600s and 1602, a ship sailed from Paris (Portugal/Also said to be from Italy) across the Arabian sea, losing control of the ship due to wind, rain and thunder. Thus, the statue of the Immaculate Conception (Virgin Mary) was enshrined in the church (thumpoly ). Thumpoly church was the first church in India at that time to have a statue of the Mother of God religiously and rituals. Thirthassery temple is another important monument in Thumpoly. The typical Kerala architectural beauty can be seen this small temple. There is also a mosque near Thumpoly. Thumpoly is connected by road and rail -way. The beach at Thumpoly is a major tourist attraction. Thumpoly Beach is located on the west side near thumpoly church. Pilgrim's and tourists also come here. Coir handicrafts is a major cottage industry of the area. The important Near areas of Thumpoly are Poomkavu ( Poomkavu - A famous Holy Weekly Pilgrimage Shrine), Chettikadu, Pathirappally, Omanapuzha, Kommadi, Poonthoppu, Mangalam and Malikamukku.

References

{{reflist

External links

Feast at Thumpoly Church
Cities and towns in Alappuzha district