Arthunkal St. Andrews Forane Church Festivals - അര്‍ത്തുങ്കല്‍ സ് . അന്ദ്രയൂസ് ഫോരനെ ചുര്ച്ച്

Arthunkal Perunnal is a leading festival in Kerala, God's own country which speaks of secularism in Indian subcontinent. Actually this festival or the celebration refers to the feast of St. Sebastian. Arthunkal Perunnal Kerala is a 10-day festival which falls sometime in the beginning of January.

Arthunkal Perunnal is regarded as one of the most meaningful celebration of ritualistic beliefs. it is one of such festivals which accentuates the integrity of the state. The highlights of the concluding day of the festival include an extraordinary ritual devotees crawl on their knees all the way from the nearby beach to the church. Afterwards there is a ceremonial procession to the beach.

Located 6 Km south west from Cherthala and 22 Km north of Alappuzha, Arthunkal is a small beautiful coastal village famous for the St. Sebastian's feast at the St. Andrews Forane Church here. The Church better known as Arthunkal church, is an important Christian pilgrim center established by Portuguese missionaries. The miraculous statue of St.Sebastian in the church was brought from Milan and is placed behind an altar in the right wing of the church.

Arthunkal Perunnal, the feast of St. Sebastian, is a 10-day festival which falls in the beginning of January. The highlights of the concluding day of the festival include an extraordinary ritual where devotees crawl on their knees all the way from the nearby beach to the church. Afterwards there is a ceremonial procession to the beach.

How to Reach

Nearest railway station: Cherthala, about 6 km away
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha.

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