St. Thomas Major Archi Episcopal Shrine, Palayoor - Catholic church in Chavakkad, Guruvayur - Thrissur, India

This church is dedicated to St Thomas the Apostle. St Thomas was arrived here by boat on the backwater and where the gods word started from here. Very beautiful place to visit and peaceful place. You can see the relic of St Thomas and the other saints relics here.

Palayur church located at Thrissur Chavakkad road, just 1Km far from Chavakkadu and 4Km from Guruvayur. The place is very historical and it is one of the first church built in India. The architecture of this church is like a Hindu temple and this church known in the name of St. Thomas (Thomas Sleeha).

Very beautiful church with old architecture. Have never seen a church like this. Also the sacred pond is worth a visit.

It is the oldest church in India and one of the seven founded by St. Thomas the Apostle. Plenty of parking space available.

One of the first Churches in India established by Apostle St. Thomas. Church has maintained its history. I have been to this Church many times and you feel that history when you see the church and the altar. According to Saint Thomas Christian tradition, Thomas traveled from Muziris (Kodungallur) and landed at Palayur by boat through the backwaters. At that time, Palayur was a stronghold of the Brahmins and also of Jews. He came to visit the Jewish merchants at Palayur at Judankunnu (meaning the hill of Jews) and to preach the Christian gospel. The place has since become a dry land but its historicity as a boat jetty called locally 'Bottukulam' has been preserved as a monument to St. Thomas (see picture).[11][12][13] Of the seven churches traditionally said to have been established by Thomas, only three-Palayur in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Thrissur, Kottakkavu in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, and Niranam in the Malankara Orthodox Diocese of Niranam-claim continuity, while the remaining four churches have undergone several changes in their locations.[14] Palayur St.Thomas Monument Palayur Thaliyakkulam Historical legend records that when Thomas landed at Palayur, he witnessed the sight of Hindu Brahmins, after their ablutions in a local tank. They were offering prayers by chanting mantras (the Vedic tradition of India for spiritual transformation), hymns to god in the form of Argyam or Tharpanam (water held in the palms) to the Sun god, a practice also said to be followed in Harappan and Persian cultures. Amused by the sight of water being thrown up by the Brahmins, from the palms of their hands, which was falling back, he challenged the Brahmins stating that the water they were offering was not being accepted by the Sun god as it was falling back into the tank. He made a deal with them stating that his God would accept the offer of water if he threw it up in the same way as they did: the water would not fall back. If he proved this then his God was superior and the Brahmins would have to embrace Christianity. He performed this miracle (summoned the Holy Trinity, completed the sign of the Cross and threw water held in his palms up into the air, which remained still in the air at a height) and with this miracle he converted a number of Brahmins and Jews in Palayur to Christianity.[15] Thereafter he baptised the converts in a nearby water tank, now known as "Thaliyakulam" which is referred to as The First Baptism Pond, "The Birthplace of Christianity in India". The Brahmins who did not convert to the faith gave the epithet of the 'Shapa Kadu' or "Cursed Place" to Palayur and migrated to Vembanad to purify themselves.[16][14][17]

Really good church established by Saint Thomas in place called palayur in thrissur district

Beautiful church. Ancient and pleasant.

A Historical Church , mythological records says that St.Thomas who came here and did a Miracle.