Manimala

Manimala is an area in the Kottayam district of Kerala in India. The population is about 10,000, of whom the majority are farmers whose main income comes from rubber plantations. The people are from several religions and castes. Manimala and nearby areas are thickly populated by Syrian Catholics. There are also Latin Catholics, though few in number.pujeya raja thirunal is the biggest festival in manimala its happening between 31dec and 7th of jan.3 Check dams are situated near by manimala one is near police station,another one at cheruvally and third one at pazayidam.

Manimalayar got its name from Manimala only, thiruvithamkur diwan only give the name of manimalayar, at that time manimala was the only town situated near to the river. Manimalayar 92 km in length, originating from Sahyadris (Westernghats). Manimala is sort of divided into two with the Manimala river running in between. We call it "akkare" and "ikkare" (means this side and that side). On one side is the majestic Holy Magi Forane church (Old church) and on the other side, St.Basil's church (Puthan Pally). Forane Church perunal is very famous. It runs for a week and worshipers from all over the neighborhood from all casts attend the procession from Karikkattoor junction all the way to church which is about 4 kilometers.

The nearby town of Kangazha in Changanacherry is a beautiful place with a serene atmosphere. Other close places under manimala are Karikkattor, Ponthanpuzha, Mukkada, Cheruvally, Kadayanickadu and Pulickallu.The reserve forest starts at Ponthanpuzha and extends to Sabarimala through Erumely.

Manimala gave birth to few major figures in the society like Cardinal Mar Antony Padiyara. Late Ittiavira Chacko Kallathoore (M L C) Late M.K Joseph 1st I G of Kerala Police, Mr. K J Alphonse Kannamthanam and famous writer James K C Manimala.

Important temples nearby

Manimalkkavu Bhagavathi Temple

This is the "Bharadevatha" (Deity of the village) of Manimala's native people. Once the temple owned the whole properties including Manimala and Vellavoor village areas. The Vanjippuzha Palace (Head Quarters situated in Chenganoor) dedicated this landed properties to the Manimalakkavu Devaswam (Temple). This is one of the important temple en-route to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. Ambalapuza and Alangattu ayyappa divoties stay one day in this temple during their yearly yatra to Sabarimala and do their Azhypooja. Next day they move on to Erumely for Pettakettu. This Temple has its yearly festival on Pooram Nakshatra in the Malayalam Month of Kumbha Masam. It celebrated in Ten days with Kodiyettam and Arattu. This Temple was under the super vision of Othara Family and now it is with Kerala Kshetra Samrakshana Samity.

Kangzha MahaDevar Temple

The Kangazha Mahadevar Temple is one of the most important temples in this area. The main Deity is Lord Shiva. Kangazha Mahadevar is a very powerful Deity.

KULATHUMKAL SREEDEVI TEMPLE KOTHALAPADI

one of the oldest temple of kerala. many myths and stories are there related to this temple..

Kadayanickadu Bhagavathy Temple

A Bhagavathy temple dedicated to Mother Goddess, it is about 5 km from Manimala Town.

Kadayanickadu Dharmashastha Temple

The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and is located in a beautiful and peaceful place. It is about 4 km from Manimala Town.

Kulathumkal Bhagavathy Temple Kulathumkal Devi temple is a typical example of a Kerala "Nattumpuram" temple. The Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali.

St. Basil’s Church (Puthanpally)

St. Basil’s Church, Manimala, popularly known as Puthenpally, is a parish under the Changanacherry Archdiocese . This church was founded by Rev. Fr. Joseph Paingotu , Padiyara, in AD 1892. The present building, supposedly the Second, was constructed in 1950 and was reinforced during the year 1992.

Holy Magi Forona Church manimala (Pazhayapally)

The beautiful village ‘Manimala’ is situated on the bank of Manimala river, at the north east corner of Kottayam district and close to the boarders of Pathanamthitta district. Holy Magi Forane Church, Which is the magnificent sign of this village, is a refuge for locals as well as pilgrims from far and wide.

Manimala village became a Christian peopled area around 1700 AD. This area was under the spiritual administration of Kanjirapally till 1816 AD.(At the time of 'Chothana case' The donation of 'Mulamthanam Cherikal' by Kalathoore family in manimala to St. Mary's Church the now "Akkarapally" to maintain the light "Kedavilakku")shows the interest of the natives of Manimala in the spiritual activities. The faithful had great difficulty in reaching Kanjirapally and attending church services in those days. It was not easy for the people to reach kanjirapally by crossing rivers and travelling through forest. So the Christians of Manimala approached the Maharaja of Thiruvithamkur with the request of permission to establish a church at Manimala. As a result, the permission to establish the church was granted by Dalava Thambi Chembaka Raman Pillai, who had the power equal to the prime minister of the king, in kollavarsham (Malayalam year) 980. (About the permission letter, which was given in 1805 AD, is mentioned in the original leaf writings at Kanjirapally) Though the permission was received on June 7, 1805, the decision to establish a church at Manimala was taken after 11 years in a general body meeting held at Kanjirapally church in 1816.The purchase and donation of obout 420 acres of land by Kalathoore Kochu Eapen and the re-writern agreement between the parishners of Kanjirapally and Kalatoore family paved way to the existance of the Pazhayapalli and establishment of Manimala Holly Magy Church in this time.

It was decided to establish a filial church at Manimala. The fund for the construction of the filial church was collected from the parishners of Kanjirapally and the list of contributors is still available. A filial church was built at Paruthapara Cherikallu (west side of the present church)then owned by Kalathoor family and arrangements were made to celebrate the Holy Mass there in 1816 with permission to bury the dead. But, our forefathers who were not satisfied with that arrangements and continued to work for the establishment of a parish and a parish church. Chuzhikunnel land which belonged to 'Othara' a Hindu Janmi (land lord family), earlier purchased by Kalathoor family to establish their warehouse a portion was donated to the church by Kalathoor Kochu Eapen. The foundation stone for the church was laid on the feast of St. George. So the feast of St. George is being celebrated as the foundation day. The newly built church was blessed on Jan. 6, 1825. All the churches in this area were under the diocese of Varappuzha in those days. The then bishop of Varapuzha raised our church to a parish. So, our church, which is named after the Holy Magi, became a parish fulfilling the long standing desire of the Catholics of this area. The land, where the present cemetery and parish hall exist, was donated by Fr. Abraham Kathanar of Kalathoor family from his ancestral share.

The church, which was established in 1825, was renovated twice later. First time some renovation works were done and space was increased without demolishing the church. The church, which was popularly known as ‘Manimala old church’, is alive in the mind of the elders even today. The construction of the present church was began when Rev. Fr. John Thalodil was the parish priest in 1951. The decision to reconstruct the church was taken in a parish council meeting held on May 6, 1951. The parishioners worked hard for the construction of this bigger and the beautiful church. The leadership of Fr. Thalodil was an outstanding one and the pain that he had taken to complete the work deserves a mention. Mar Mathew Kavukattu blessed the new church in 1957. Rev. Fr. Thalodil was transferred in 1962. He encouraged Vocations in a great manner. The construction of the presbytery also was done during the tenure of Rev. Fr. Thalodil. The church was beautified by Rev. Fr. Thomas Thottiyil, who came after Fr. Thalodil. Rev. Fr. John Thommithazham completed the work of mondalam. The Manimala church was under the Forane of Kanjirapally in the Archdiocese of Changanassery. Manimala was raised to a Forane by the then Archbishop of Changanasery Mar Antony Padiyara on August 15, 1974. Around 73 priests have served here as Parish Priests and Asst. Parish Priests since the establishment of this church.

KARIMPANAKULAM SACRED HEART CHURCH As per the sanction given in 1925 by the Chengancherry diocese the Karimpanakulam Sacred Heart Church was established. The application was given and the land was donated by Ittiavira Chacko Kallathoor It is situated about 5kms from Manimala.The church is totally rebuilt in the modern way and opened in November 2011

VALLAMCHIRA FATHIMA MATHA CHURCH: