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Photos: God’s own country Kerala plans a holy tourism circuit

Saints Alphonsa, Kuriakose and Euprasia are fast becoming a big tourism draw in Kerala, where Christians comprise 18% of the state’s population. The church of Kerala now plans to connect the villages of all three into a pilgrim’s circuit.

Updated on: Dec 22, 2017 11:10 AM IST

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St. Joseph’s Church in Mannanam, Kerala houses the tomb of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara and the Mother House of Congregation of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. With its saints heralded as symbols of hope and sacrifice, the church of Kerala now plans to connect the villages of three figures — St. Alphonsa’s Bharaninganam, St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara’s Manannam and St. Euprasia Eluvathingal’s Ollur – all in a 150-km radius, to make up a holy tourism circuit in the state. (Vivek Nair / HT Photo)

Updated on Dec 22, 2017 11:10 AM

St. Joseph’s Church in Mannanam, Kerala houses the tomb of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara and the Mother House of Congregation of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. With its saints heralded as symbols of hope and sacrifice, the church of Kerala now plans to connect the villages of three figures — St. Alphonsa’s Bharaninganam, St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara’s Manannam and St. Euprasia Eluvathingal’s Ollur – all in a 150-km radius, to make up a holy tourism circuit in the state. (Vivek Nair / HT Photo)

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St. Joseph's Church was commissioned by Kuriakose Elias Chavara. He was canonised in 2014 and the church is a pilgrimage centre among his followers. Christians comprise 18% of the state’s population, as per the 2011 census, and the Church plays an important role in its social life. More than half of the clergy across India hail from the state. (Vivek Nair / HT Photo)

Updated on Dec 22, 2017 11:10 AM

St. Joseph's Church was commissioned by Kuriakose Elias Chavara. He was canonised in 2014 and the church is a pilgrimage centre among his followers. Christians comprise 18% of the state’s population, as per the 2011 census, and the Church plays an important role in its social life. More than half of the clergy across India hail from the state. (Vivek Nair / HT Photo)

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Women pray at the tomb of St. Kuriakose at Mannanam. India has only six Christian saints, and the last five have come in the past decade. The first saint was a Eurasian, Gonsalo Garcia in 1862, but the next saint took 146 years -- Alphonsa was canonised in 2008. In 2014, Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Euprasia were canonised. In 2016, Mother Teresa was declared a saint. (Vivek Nair / HT Photo)

Updated on Dec 22, 2017 11:10 AM

Women pray at the tomb of St. Kuriakose at Mannanam. India has only six Christian saints, and the last five have come in the past decade. The first saint was a Eurasian, Gonsalo Garcia in 1862, but the next saint took 146 years -- Alphonsa was canonised in 2008. In 2014, Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Euprasia were canonised. In 2016, Mother Teresa was declared a saint. (Vivek Nair / HT Photo)

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Pilgrims kneel at the tomb of St. Alphonsa at Bharananganam, Kerala. Alphonsa, a 20th century religious figure, became the first woman of Indian origin to be canonised in 2008, and is part of the trio of Christian figures fast becoming a big draw in the state. At her tomb, a priest guides tourists through the sprawling church complex, packed with pilgrims from across the country. (Vivek Nair / HT Photo)

Updated on Dec 22, 2017 11:10 AM

Pilgrims kneel at the tomb of St. Alphonsa at Bharananganam, Kerala. Alphonsa, a 20th century religious figure, became the first woman of Indian origin to be canonised in 2008, and is part of the trio of Christian figures fast becoming a big draw in the state. At her tomb, a priest guides tourists through the sprawling church complex, packed with pilgrims from across the country. (Vivek Nair / HT Photo)

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“Sainthood is a long process. Some miracles are also associated with it. In earlier days, historical compilation was also tiresome,” said Father Scria Ethirett, director of the Chavara pilgrim centre. Alphonsa and Euprasia were canonised for their “suffering and perseverance” and Chavara for social reforms, founding the first Sanskrit school in 1846 and encouraging women’s education. (Vivek Nair / HT Photo)

Updated on Dec 22, 2017 11:10 AM

“Sainthood is a long process. Some miracles are also associated with it. In earlier days, historical compilation was also tiresome,” said Father Scria Ethirett, director of the Chavara pilgrim centre. Alphonsa and Euprasia were canonised for their “suffering and perseverance” and Chavara for social reforms, founding the first Sanskrit school in 1846 and encouraging women’s education. (Vivek Nair / HT Photo)

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“For the state, it is the fruit of faith and sacrifice. Our saints are symbols of hope and sacrifice. They lead us to light always. In Kerala, Christian values and traditions blended perfectly so it has every right to become the land of saints,” said Syro-Malabar church spokesman Father Mathew Chandrankunnel who also manages the St. Alphonsa shrine in Bharaninganam. (Vivek Nair / HT Photo)

Updated on Dec 22, 2017 11:10 AM

“For the state, it is the fruit of faith and sacrifice. Our saints are symbols of hope and sacrifice. They lead us to light always. In Kerala, Christian values and traditions blended perfectly so it has every right to become the land of saints,” said Syro-Malabar church spokesman Father Mathew Chandrankunnel who also manages the St. Alphonsa shrine in Bharaninganam. (Vivek Nair / HT Photo)

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