The front portion of the Church is designed in the peculiar tradition of Roman Catholic Church. On the left portion of the center door we could trace out the marks of the historic flood of AD 90 .The church is divided into three wings where separate facilities are provided for confession and adoration. The ancient baptismal pond and the traditional pulpit are of historical relevance. On one side of the church the river Periyar is flowing calmly soothing the troublesome minds of the pilgrims.

Malayattoor once had no access to the other parts of the state by road and the principal gateway was the waterfront. It was imperative to build a church for the pilgrims and the faithful and thus in AD 900 the present church was built. It was later renovated according to the needs of the times. The church is spacious enough and is decorated beautifully with exquisitely hand altars

Kurisumudi (where they found the cross) as it is popularly known, is 1269 feet above the sea level. Set in serene conditions, one cannot miss the divine. Mountain peaks gently caressing the clouds, the shimmering sheen of the Periyar below, the steep cliffs and the winding roads, all provide an ambience that is truly heavenly. Right from the time of the golden cross was found, the locals began a practice of lighting an oil lamp and whenever the lamp gave in for the wind, a herd of goats came down wailing and people used to climb the mountain and light the lamp again. Pilgrims who climb the mountain, even today carry with them seasamum seeds to feed the goats, even though goats are a rare sight.

The church at the hill top stands above the cross that St. Thomas had erected during his days of intense prayer. It is the source of comfort for the millions who climb the hill with earnest devotion. Even though the principal feast commences eight days after Easter, people start flocking the mountain from the beginning of the season of Lent. The Holy Week witnesses pilgrims thronging the mountain in very large numbers, in reparation for their sins, reciting the Way of the Cross all along the Way. A sixteen foot long cross was built over the golden cross to protect it from the wild animals and a chapel was constructed over it

A stroll forward and you will find the footprints of the great saint embedded in the hard rock. Pilgrims flock to this Kaalpadam (footprint) to receive favors and miracle cures from the saint. A good 150 ft eastward is the oldest chapel which has stood the ravages of the time and pilgrims can still find the bearings of the tuskers who tried to demolish it. Miraculous it is indeed, to find water running down a stream, way up 1629 ft above the sea level, to quench the thirst of the pilgrims.

At the foot step of the hill, is the statue of St. Thomas erected in 1938, perched on a rock to protect it from the menacing trunks of the elephants.

FILIAL CHURCHES

The seeds of faith sown by St. Thomas was reaping hundredfold yield and surge in population in and around Malayattoor necessitated the erection of a few other churches in the vicinity of the great pilgrim center. In 1972, a church was built in the name of the Immaculate Mary at Vimalagiry, Sacred Heart Church in the year 1977 at Illithodu and another church in the name of St. Sebastian at Sebiyoor.

- Marhoma Mandapam
- Sannidhi
- Golden cross
- Foot prints of St. Thomas
- The ancient chapel struck by the elephants
- The miraculous water spring
- MarSt. Thomas Bhavan


It is believed that the footprints and the marks of his knees on the rock in the mountain is of St. Thomas. The Golden Cross (ponkurisu) is the place where St. Thomas is believed to have found solace in prayer and in communion with Heavenly Father. The miraculous pond is the place where St. Thomas quenched his thirst when he was in need of water. Later on the wandering hunters called the nayadis or the vedar is believed to have seen this golden cross and gathered there for prayers and offerings.

It is a custom among the newly-weds of Malabar to make a pilgrimage to Maleattur on the first Sunday after Easter that follows their marriage. There is a custom followed from generation to generation of shaving the hair and beard before bathing in the river. The foundation stone of the Church, which now caps the mountain at Malayattoor, was blessed by Bishop Medlycott, the first Vicar Apostolic of Trichur. Interestingly enough pilgrims climbing up and down the slopes, invoke aloud St. Thomas, calling him, according to their customs Muthappan, i.e., grandfather.

Kurisumudi Church

Malayattoor Church