Bharananganam

The pilgrimage center of Bharananganam, a famous pilgrimage site on the banks of the Meenachil River in southern India, is a place where Catholic Syrian Christians and Hindus live in harmony. Bharananganam is known mostly for the pilgrimage centers Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Assisi Ashram, and Saint Alphonsa’s tomb. There are different faiths revolving around the existence of these pilgrimage centers that are associated with the history as well as the Mahabharatha. It is said that the Bharananganam church is 1000 years old and the older name was Parananganam. Also, many religious figures including St. Thomas, the apostle of India, social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, Mother Teresa, Blessed Chavara Elias, and others are believed to have visited this place. Apart from that, it is also believed that a part of the cross that was used to crucify Jesus Christ is kept here. Also, Kerala’s first pastoral home was built here. It is reported that the ornamental lamp carried during the church procession was provided by the temple. In 1890 itself, this church was turned into a forane.

Saint Alphonsa is famous with the name- ‘Passion Flower of Bharananganam’. In the Kerala Church, Saint Alphonsa was the first woman to receive sainthood. After the place where St. Thérèse of Lisieux was born in France, this small town is known as the Lisieux of India. Devotees mark Saint Alphonsa’s death anniversary on 28 July, which is a joyous pilgrimage occasion. Each year, countless devotees make their way to the shrine to pray for her blessing on this day. Saint Alphonsa’s cult is thought to have been founded by her students. Following her death, they visited her tomb to offer prayers. Over time, they began to receive favors. Since then, her tomb has been the site of countless miracles and pilgrimages. The Clarist convent- where Sr Alphonsa lived, and a museum where her belongings are preserved are located nearby. St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church here is one of Kerala’s famous pilgrim centers.

The east-facing Sree Krishna Swami Temple is famous for the 8-day annual festival in Makaram (January) that begins with the unveiling of the temple flag on Makara Samkramam day and concludes with a grand night-long ceremony Arattu (Ritual Bath of the deity) on the eighth day. The celebrations include a procession of the deity on elephant back (for 5 days), an ‘Utsava Bali’ ritual (for 6 days), and art and cultural activities including performances by major percussion teams every day. It is an enchanting spectacle to watch the slow procession of the caparisoned elephants carrying silken umbrellas (varnakkuda) and other accessories, decorated by multi-headed oil torches. This place has historic connections with the legendary Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata. The local lore is synonymous with the belief that the Bharananganam Sree Krishna temple was consecrated by the Pandavas. From the pilgrimage destination of Bharananganam, archaeologists found 162 coins dating to the Buddha period (BC 563-483). The area was home to Buddhists.

Anotehr pilgrim attraction known for providing spiritual assistance is the Assisi Ashram. The first Malayalam Charismatic retreat took place here. The Center publishes a Malayalam magazine called Assisi, as well as a publishing house called Jeevan Books.

Contact Details : 

Saint Alphonsa Catholic Church

+914822236264, www.saintalphonsamma.org

Assisi Ashram

+914822236242

Getting there :

Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 24 km

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 62 km