An unforgettable reunion at thrissur

17 th of june was a unforgettable day in my life.My close  friends  REC days joined me at my home town on this day for a get together.It was my friend Dani who put forward this idea on a con call along with my friend Thomas George on a cool  sunday afternoon.  We used to call each other and discuss politics ,philosaphy,covid 19,  any thing under the sun  during these con calls.

Dani Thomas, i call him Danichayan, lives in Ernakulam with his wife Gigi.At present he is working as the project director METRO rail second phase which is still under construction. He was project director of DMRC in the first phase of METRO under our great Metro man E Sridharan. He was a good friend of mine from our college days in Regional engineering college from 1972 on words. He was my room mate also in REC for two years.After graduation he joined Indian railway services after writing All India Engg Services examination. He worked in various levels in Indian Railways and retired as Chief Administrative Officer.After retirement he joined as project director along with DMRC in Kochi metro.A very soft spoken person ,he is interested in tours and exploring new places.We had been together to some other places also in the past .

Mr Thomas George was also my class mate who joined Kerala PWD after graduation and retired as an Executive Engineer.I also worked in Kerala Pwd and we were colleagues .Even though he used to work in Kottayam and Aleppey districts we had a very good communication during our service times itself.

Earlier we were not in touch as there was no mobile phones. But things changed after retirement  and we used to interact regularly. Thomas George played a very important role in the  golden jubilee reunion of our 1972-76 batch at Kumarakam last year.   Mr Thomas George was very sincere and efficient engineer  during his long career in kerala Pwd . As an engineer in pwd  i used to watch his work with enthusiasm. After retirement he lived a calm life at Kottayam with his wife REENI who also worked in Pwd. 

One day Danichayan had put forward this idea that we shall meet at one place and spend one day. He told that our wives also will enjoy it as they also need a leisure from  routine cooking and other house hold works.I immediately agreed along with Thomachan .We call him Thomachan from our REC DAYS .He suggested we  shall meet at Ernakulam so that I could come from Thrissur and Thomachan from Kottayam.He suggested RECCA club as the meeting place.

But I had another idea brewing in my head.I had a guest house at Thrissur, which I used to rent out occasionally to some close friends for  their wedding etc.I asked them  why don't they  come to Thrissur so that we shall spend some quality time at Thrissur in my guest house and explore Thrissur ( Both of them are from central Travancore and had no idea about Thrissur) which they readily agreed.17 th June was the  day we earmarked for such a great reunion.Thomachan told that he will come by train and Dani agreed to come by his brand new Hyrider Toyoto car.

17 TH JUNE SATURDAY

17 th June was a beautiful day.There was no rain in the morning and they arrived in time. as decided Dani came along with his wife Gigi in his brand new toyoto hyrider.Thomachan took Parasuram express to reach Thrissur at 12 noon.My wife who also was a very good cook made some mouth watering mutton biriyani which we consumed for lunch .Everybody enjoyed the biriyani very much. After lunch we had enough time to have a round up of  Thrissur town.By this time it started raining.I was actually thinking of taking them to Snehatheeram beach. It started raining heavily and I mooted the idea of going  to the beach.Dani however  took the mobile phone and began to check  google  to see any tourist places  are available in the nearby area in the town. Within minute he came up with an idea that we will visit Puthan pally and Bible tower which was in the city itself.  I also felt it as a good idea as both of them are regular church goers now in their respective areas.Even though I lived in this beautiful city for more that 40 years I could not see the Bible tower. He told that this tower is the highest in Asia and we shall visit this place . More over Puthan palli is only 2km away from my home. After visiting church $ bible tower it was decided to go to Sobha city mall for shopping.

Our lady of dolor's basilica alias Puthan pally

It is one of the Syro Malabar catholic church in Thrissur.The tallest church in India and the third tallest in Asia,it is famous for its Gothic Architecture.Built in a Indian gothic style it has an area of 25000 sqft, eleven altars, five on either side and one at the centre.It is the largest church in Kerala and its exuberant interior decoration include fine specimens of murals and statues of saints and scenes from scriptures.

History says that the Parish and original church were established in 1814.It was center of Saint Thomas Christians for decades. IN 1874 the Chaldean  catholic  Bishop Ella Mellus arrived in India by request of Syro malabar christians and convinced the a large part of the  of the Christian community to accept him as the Bishop.The group supported Ella mellus was based at this church and eventually seperated from catholic hierarchy forming what is now known as Chaldean Syrian church.In response Syro Malabar Christians constructed a new church in 1929.The original church is known as Martha Mariam church and is now Cathedral of Chaldean Syrian Christians .The current buildings known as Puthen pally (NEW CHURCH)for this reason.

A SELFIE/MYSELF,LEKHA,REENI,GIGI&DANI AT puthan palli

a

puthan palli

The historic visit of Pope Johnpaul 11 to Thrissur on 7/2/1986 was within the environs of this Parish.On February 1992 His Holiness Pope John Paul issued a decree elevating the church of our lady of dolor's to status of Minor Basilica .20/5/1992 was a monumental day of the history of this church. His eminence cardinal Antony Padiyara consecrated the church as a Basilica ever since it is called Basilica of our lady of dolor's.

The visit to the church was rewarding . We were visiting one of the big churches in INDIA.We reached there at 5. 00pm  and holy mass was in progress in the church .Our Christian friends were able to see the mass and pray. After seeing the church in detail we went to see BIBLE TOWER which is located on the west side of the church,

                                                                puthan palli a view

                                                 

                                                    Myself ,lekha,reeni,thomas george,danichayan

BIBLE TOWER

BIBLE tower was inaugurated on 7/1/2007.The tower is the tallest church tower in INDIA as well as the 3rd tallest in ASIA after the church towers in Philippines and Lebanon. It is also the tallest structure in the whole of KERALA.IT IS HAVING A HEIGHT OF 79 METERS.

A passenger lift is available up to 48 mtrs where a viewers platform has been made to accommodate upto 250 people.The viewers has  to climb steps up to the top of the tower.When we visted, the caretaker told us that there was some maintanace work in progress and we could go only up to the level where the lift could take us'.

                                           A VIEW OF THE CITY FROM THE BIBLE TOWER

MYSELF AND DANI

DANI THOMAS ,GIGI DANI,LEKHA MANOHARAN,REENI&THOMAS GEORGE IN BIBLE TOWER

The Bible tower is well known for its height it stands in 260 feet height the highest tower in India. The wooden door is in scripted with bible word which revels the whole life of Jesus and the life of the early life, the infancy of Jesus is represented in wooden carvings. Miracles of Jesus is represented in brass etchings .There is an oil painting which tells the passion of christ.The resurrection of Christ is depicted in high canvas and mural painting on the life of St Thomas.

It was a really beautiful evening.In fact I was not aware of such a beautiful tower is available in the city of Thrissur.Rs 20 is the admission fee per person.Ladies enjoyed the trip very much .After seeing the tower we decided to  go to shobha city mall which is very near to city.

                                                                   SOBHA CITY MALL

Since it was saturday evening the traffic was heavy on the way to shobha city mall. We managed to raech the mall in 30 minuets and dani was driving his new car.

We completed our trip at 7.30 pm and returned to our guest house where some hot drinks are waiting for us. This was the time for remembering nostalgic moments the old REC days.We were in the college from 1972 to 1977 and our  college life was very colourful.The ladies went to kitchen to prepare sancks for the drinks,It was a memorable night .

18th June  Sunday 

                         Thomachan posing for a selfie with morning tea. Dani also seen 

 Sunday morning was very pleasant without any rain .Thomachan had to leave by Venad express at 3.00 pm and we had entire morning time to explore Thrissur .We had 5 hrs in our hand and I suggested we will go to Palayur which is historic place of the Christians of which each one of us agreed. My idea was to visit Chavakkad beach after  visiting  PALAYUR church ,

PALUYUR SYRO MALABAR CHURCH 

We decided to have our breakfast from Madhura restaurant, one of the very good vegetarian restaurants in Thrissur ,just 1 km from my home. We reached Madhura restauarant at about 8 am  in theThrissur- shornur road.Thomachan and myself ordered Ghee dosa &idly and Pongal was Danis favourite.The breakfast was awesome and ladies also liked it very much.There was a big crowd in the restaurant in the morning which was usual as most of christians in trichur have their breakfast in this restaurant after attending sunday mass.Thomachan declared that we will have our vegetarian lunch from here itself which was accepted by all.

The travel from trissur to Palayur was very smooth. The road was good even though the curves were very acute. The route was Thrissur- Amala hospital- Chittlappilly- Pavaratty and Palayur.Palayur is a place very near to Gurvayur.It is only 3 km away from famous Guruvayur -Sreekrishna temple.

I informed my friends that one of our class mate Mr Nasser sulaiman also a native of Kottayam and neighbor of Thomachan is staying near Amala hospital. We tried to contact him but unfortunately his phone was switched off.

We reached the church at 10 am.It was a sunny sunday and holy mass was in progress in the church.We met a security man at the gate who  was very cordial and agreed to guide us through the historical places in the church.

HISTORY

According to Christian history this Syrian church was established in 52 AD by ST THOMAS one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ.Saint Thomas performed first baptism here and introduced Christianity to India.It is part of EZHARA PALLIKAL(seven major churches)that he established in INDIA. Other being at Kodungallur,Kokkamangalam,Kottakkavu,Niranam,and Nilackal.The original small church is kept as it is but substantial improvements were carried out in 17th century  without sacrificing the sanctity of the place 

                 Palayur church believed to be established by SIANT THOMAS in 52AD

lekha and reeni

When you enter into church you will see a lamp and cross carved out of stone which is 200 years old

According to the Saint Thomas Chrtian tradition Thomas travelled from Musiris (Kodungallur) and landed at Palayur by boat.at that time palyaur was a strong hold of Jews and Brahmins.Infact Thomas came to Palayur to meet Jewish merchants who were staying in Palayur and preach the new gospel.This place became dry land afterward but a kulam where Thomas landed is preserved known as Bottukulam

Historic legend says that when Thomas landed,  he witnessed the sight of hindu brahmins after their bath in their tank.They were chanting mantras and giving tharpanam to sungod a practice of hindu brahmins.Amused by seeing the throwing of water and its falling back Thomas told the brahmins that sungod is not accepting their prayer as the water is coming down.He made a deal with them that his god will accept the water thrown high if he threw it .That means the water will not come down.He told that if it happens they shall convert into Christianity did that and the water remained in te atmosphere without falling back.This miracle converted a number of brahmins and jews at palaur.He baptised them in this tank and is known as Taliayakulam.This thaliyakulam the birth place of Christainity in INDIA

BOTTUKULAM or boat pond is located quite close to palyur church.you will see the sculpture of the boat which is symbolic of the apostles arrival and 45 ft statue of ST THOMAS on the western side of boat kulam.

DANI &GIGI

THALIYAKULAM A POND LOCATED NEAR .It is there that he came across some people taking water in their palms ,throwing up in the air and offering prayers.

This is one of the seven churches traditionally assigned to the time when saint thomas preached in malabar.Follwing the migration of hindu brahmins from Palayur the church was built incorporating the old hindu temple which was deserted .The church is thus a fusion io hindu temple architecture  and persian church plan.

Giacoma fenecio an italian missionary built the new church  in 1607 around the small old teak wood church after getting due permission from locals who were not only sentimental about retaining the old church.after the new church was completed the locals al lowed to remove the old chucrh.But altar thought to be consecrated by THOMAS  is still retained.But during TIPUSULTANS invasion  in 18th century the church was completely destroyed. Then rebuilt.

THE CAVE WHERE ST THOMAS LIVED IN MYLAPUR 

Palayur was an important settlement jews in malabar.The remnants of Jewish settlement known as judan kunnu literrally means hills of Judans

Nevertheless the history the palAyur church is said to be of great importance and a very important tourist destination in INDIA.

Town:

Palayoor is at a distance of 28 kilometres (17 mi) from Thrissur on the State Highway. It is on Thrissur - Chavakad route, via Pavaratty.

Airport:

Nedumbasserry International Airport is only 80 kilometres (50 mi) from Palayoor.

Railway Station:

it is on the Thrissur - Guruvayur broad gauge line - at a distance of 24 kilometres (15 mi). From Guruvayur, the Hindu temple town, the church is3 kilometres (1.9 mi) by road

After seeing this historic tourist destination we set out to see Chavakkad beach

Chavakkad beach

This famous beach spot is the only place in thrissur where one can see the confluence of ariver and sea

the pleasing view of the beach and its rare natural beauty alllure thousands every year to take a plunch in the scintillating water of the sea.One can indulge in an array of activities like beach walk ,swimming sun bathing fishing volley ball bird watching and many overfishing is an important activity at chavakkad beach where a number of fisher man displays the wide range of fishes .The tourists can also perform this activity with the support of fishermen here

We spent one hour in the beach .

                        in the beach
After seeing the beach we came back to trichur.As decided earlier we went Madhura restaurant for a vegetarian lunch.

We came back to the house and it was time for Thomas George to leave.Both of my friends were very happy to explore the christain history in Thrissur.In fact this was not anticipated earlier but happened .I left Thomas george&REENI at railway station to catch Venad express which was running right time and by the time reached home Dani&Gigi was ready to leave to kochi in his brand new hyrider

The reunion was memorable. 

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