A Pilgrim’s Progress (6 Nights/7 Days)
  Kodungallur                                      Day - 1
 
 
Arrival at Cochin Airport and proceed to Kodungalloor,the gateway to three major religions in India-Christianity,Judaism and Islam. Check in at resort. It is known from historical evidence as well as from the living traditions of the people that St. Thomas landed in Kerala in  52 A.D. at Kodungallur. After sharing his deep faith experience with the people of India, St. Thomas  himself is believed to have formed seven churches or Christian communities here in Kerala, the first one being in Kodungallur itself- St.Thomas Church at Palayoor.- a
 
stark, austere church with a silver church of St. Thomas on the roof and charming stone villakus(lamps). The important historical monuments at Palayoor are The Boat Jetty (Bottukulam) where St. Thomas   landed at Palayoor, Thaliyakulam the pond where St. Thomas baptized India’s first Christians and the replica of Chinna Malai (of Mylapore  Madras)   where St. Thomas attainted   martyrdom in AD 72. The church has 14 granite life size statues of various scenes from the life of St. Thomas installed on the main entrance.   The Jubilee Door in front of the entrance of the main hall of the Church, depicts various important Biblical  events, carved in Burmese teak. Evening back at the hotel.
Kodungallur                                     Day - 2

After breakfast visit the Mar Thoma Pontifical Shrine situated at Azhikode situated on the beautiful banks of the river Periyar. Built in the model of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, this shrine houses a precious relic- the bone of the right arm of St. Thomas. Timings (9am-6pm). A painting inside depicts the scene of St. Thomas’ arrival. Proceed to Cochin and check into resort.
Malayattoor                                 Day – 3
Morning proceed to St. Thomas Mount at Malayattoor visited in 52 AD by St.Thomas, who came here from Kodungallur. The hilltop at Kurusumudi was along the old caravan route to the old Chola Kingdom. A legend says an anguished St Thomas emulated Jesus and deliberately went up the hill to converse with lord. Upon
 
touching the rock, blood sprang forth and Mary appeared and consoled him. He descended from the presence and baptised people. Retrace the saint’s and pilgrim’s steps all the way to the very top of Kurusumudi where the St. Thomas  Archdiocesan Shrine was built in 900 AD. Also atop the hill is the Marthoma Mandapam. This ornate pavilion holds the Kalpadam,the footprints of St. Thomas .The Golden Cross is said to have appeared on a rock where St. Thomas drew a cross with his finger.. Mass  timings 6am and 5.30 pm. Evening /night back to hotel.
Kokkamangalam                              Day – 4
 
After breakfast proceed to St.Thomas Church at Kokkamangalam - a village in Alappuzha district of Kerala. St. Thomas sailed to Kokkamangalam where he preached the gospel for about a year. 1600 people embraced Christian faith due to him according to the narration in "Rampan Pattu", an ancient  form of Christian folk-song prevalent in Kerala. He formed a Christian

community at Kokkamangalam and enshrined a Cross for the faithful. The people of Kokkamangalam and nearby places venerate St. Thomas as their beloved heavenly patron.
Aftenoon visit St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church at Niranam .Some adversaries of the new faith later took out the cross, founded by the Apostle and threw it into the neighboring river. When St Thomas returned to Niranam after two years (AD 54) he heard about this and went in search of the cross. He found it at a place in the down stream and again founded the church at that place, which is believed to be the present location of the church. According to the available records, the present building is the fourth, which was built in 1912,the third in 1259. Within are 500 year old urns,ancient chandeliers  and aged brass lamps.Overnight at Alleppey.

Kollam                                              Day – 5

Morning drive to Varkala. En route visit the Church built by St. Thomas in Kollam, one of the great Catholic centres of India (in later stage), is believed to have existed for upwards of a thousand years, when it was swept away by the sea.  The majority of the people of Kollam belonged to the Chettiar caste, the recognized trading caste of the time. A good many of them accepted the Gospel attracted by the preaching of the Apostle and the miracles performed by him. Evening check in at the hotel overnight at Varkala.
Chennai                                           Day – 6
Morning check out from the hotel and proceed to Chennai from Trivandrum airport. Pick up from Chennai airport and check in at the hotel. After preaching on the West Coast, St. Thomas came to Chennai(formerly Madras). Tradition has it that St.Thomas died on St.Thomas Mount while praying before a stone(cross) , pierced with a spear. It (stone cross) had been sweating from 1558.Afternoon proceed to SANTHOME Cathedral Basilica, at Mylapore. By Apostolic brief dated 16th March 1956, Pope Pius XII raised the Cathedral Church of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore to the dignity and rank of Minor Basilica. The present
 
national Shrine of St.Thomas is built over the tomb of Saint Thomas . His body was buried on the spot over which the present Basilica stands. There is a tradition that in order to save his life, St.Thomas is reported to have sought refuge in the jungles of Little Mount. A cave on this hillock offered him shelter. One could still see this cave. Church is open from 6.00 A.M to 8 P.M
(Mass Time – Sundays and weekdays-)
6.00 A.M Tamil,.3.00 A.M English,.00 A.M English,.00 P.M Tamil,.15 A.M English,.15 P.M English

Chennai                                         Day – 7
Departure from Chennai airport.
 
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