MANARKAD PERUNAL
Celebrated In: Kottayam, Kerala
Held In: The Month Of September
Main Ritual: Eight-Day Ritual Fast
Centre of Activity: St. Mary's Church - Manarkad
Held In: The Month Of September
Main Ritual: Eight-Day Ritual Fast
Centre of Activity: St. Mary's Church - Manarkad
Situated
at Manarkad near Kottayam, this church
consecrated to St. Mary is an outstanding Syrian Jacobite Shrine.
The most important festival here is the eight-day ritual fast popularly
known as 'Ettu Nompu Perunnal'. A major chunk of the participants in the
fast are women. The festival begins on the 1st of September.
On the last three days, colorful processions are taken out with golden
crosses and rows of brilliantly hued umbrellas.
