Aruvithura Vallyachan Mala Adivaram - Church in Erattupetta, Erattupetta Vallyachanmala - Kottayam, India

Vallyachan Mala: The Ecoshrine St George's Forane Church Aruvithura, renowned for the divine intercession of St George and marked by its legacy is a spiritual haven for the devotees across the state of Kerala. The Christian community of Kerala prides itself on the faith their ancestors embraced from St Thomas, the disciple of Jesus Christ. True to his missionary zeal, St Thomas travelled far and wide across South India and on his sojourn in Aruvithura, it is believed, that he erected a wayside cross. This cross which was exposed to the vagaries of weather and natural calamities gradually fell into ruins. To commemorate and enliven the celestial memory, a 167 feet concrete cross was erected on top of the Kondoor hills, the gentle initiative for which was taken by Very Rev Fr. Thomas Olickal, the erstwhile Vicar of St George's Forane Church. St George, fondly venerated and addressed as Aruvithura Vallyachan is the oft frequented divine intercessor for people belonging to all castes and creeds. The shrine houses the holy statue of St George which was brought here from Nilakkal in the sixteenth century. The hillock where the cross stands is named after Aruvithura Vallyachan and thus Kondoor hills was renamed as Vallyachan Mala. Just like St Thomas and St George who kindled the faith in Jesus in many a hearts, the Cross, the divine sign of salvation, overlooking the city from atop the hill, shines like a lighthouse leading thousands to the true faith. A short distance of 500 metres from the Forane church takes one to the foot of the hill. From hence forward one has visuals enough to drift into meditative mood, relishing the sculptural beauty of the Scriptures--the fourteen stations in the Way of the Cross, Jacob's Well, The Agony in the Garden of Gathsamen, Jesus on the lap of Mother Mary, Jonah the Prophet and the whale, The Sermon on the Mount, the Resurrected Jesus-- the long array of visuals creates a celestial aura to the place. The dizzy raptures of nature that the hills offer are equally rejuvenating for the casual tourists and devout pilgrims. The serene ambience, accompanied by the gentle breeze and the panoramic view from the hill top are the distinctive features of this divine space. The Vallyachan Kananam(VallyachanWoods) is a home to a wide variety of plants and trees that add to the pristine purity of the locale. The walk uphill along the stone clad pathways bordered by railings and punctuated with decorative lights is a heartening experience. The nearby Vallyachan Village with its numerous houses for the homeless of the parish, the Church which is a replica of the old Aruvithura Church, the Nalpamara Cross(made of the bark of four medicinal trees) and the small church built over the model of Jesus' tomb speak volumes about the architectural beauty of the place. On Fridays ,Way of the Cross followed by holy mass and novena is conducted which is an occasion of purification for the faithful. Throughout the fifty days lent, rosary procession is conducted from the church to the foot of the hill, followed by Way of the Cross and Holy Mass participated by thousands of devout pilgrims. On the 40th Friday of Lent and Good Friday the pilgrims are served rice gruel in clay pots as offering.

Aruvithura Vallyacha Mala situated 4 km from eerattupetta Main Market..Church is Temporarily closed due to COVID Pandemic. There is a huge cross of 107 Feet situated in outside of the church.Tjis is the second longest cross in Asia.. One more statue of daughter and son also situated inside the compound.. Well managed church situated beautiful location..

Very good place.. beautiful location..

It's a peaceful location to prayer

A must visit for Christian pilgrims and tourists alike. Mass is offered every first Friday of the month. Offers a bird's eye view of Erattupetta town. Vehicles can go to the top and adequate parking is available. Incharge staff quite helpful.

The view form the top of the hill is fantastic. You can see the entire Erattupetta town form there.

On the top of the hill i felt i have no weight like fether, my mind was flying like a feather, blowing like a flute, a feeling of curing.... Vallyachan Mala is a catholic pilgrim hill station located near Erattupetta in Kottayam district of Kerala. The main attraction is the presence of a 170 feet height kurishu, made in concrete. This is considered to be the highest cross in Asia. Vallyachan Mala is managed by St George Forane Church, Aruvithura. Name of this mountain (Vallyachan in Malayalam) is dedicated to St. George apostolic of Jesus Christ.Vallyachan Mala attracts devotees by the presence of golgotha mountain, cemetery of Jesus Christ, churches, resting places, divine centres, gadsden garden, kurishinte vazhi and jacobs well. How to reach Vallyachan Mala? BY AIR: Cochin International Airport is the nearest Airport to Vallyachan Mala BY RAIL: Kottayam Railway Station (36 km) is the nearest major Railway Station to Vallyachan Mala BY BUS (Option 1): Frequent Buses are available to Erattupetta from Pala/Kottayam & Other Parts of Kerala. From Erattupetta take Autoriksha to reach base of Vallyachan Mala. BY DIRECT BUS (Option 2): Few buses runs between Erattupetta & Pala via Amparanirappel passes in front of Vallyachan Mala. You can enter these bus from Erattupetta Private Bus Stand or Pala Kottaramattam Private Bus Stand. Timing of Buses via Amparanirappel is given here. Erattupetta to Vallyachan Mala Bus Timing Vallyachan Mala to Pala Bus Timing BY ROAD (FROM KOTTAYAM/ ERNAKULAM ): Kottayam/Ernakulam > Pala > Bharananganam > Amparanirappel > Kondoor > Vallyachan Mala. FROM KUMILY : Kumily > Mundakayam > Kanjirappally > Erattupetta > Vallyachan Mala. BY ROAD (From Thrissur/ Thodupuzha ): Thrissur > Muvattupuzha > Thodupuzha > Muttom > Erattupetta > Vallyachan Mala.

Very peaceful, calm and silent atmosphere with great Spiritual Ambience for prayer, meditation and reflection.