A. PUTHUPPALLY PERUNAL (THE FEAST OF ST.GEORGE)
The main feast of Puthuppally pally is the feast of St.George
celebrated on May 6 and 7 annually to commemorate the martyrdom
of St.George.
“KODIYET” (FLAG HOISTING)
Ten days before the feast two arecanut palm flag masts,
one each from Puthuppally and Ericadu hamlets are brought to Puthuppally
junction and; from there they are carried to the church in a ceremonial
procession by a large crowd of all hues with traditional orchestral
accompaniments. Both the flag masts are erected in front of the
church; the flags are blessed and hoisted by the priest and hailed
by the large crowd present. The next ten days are very hectic.
“Chendamelam” (traditional orchestral drum beatings),
“Kathinaveddi” (native cannon shots) at the foot of
the flag masts, daily morning Qurbana (the holy mass), “Sandhyanamaskaram”
(evening prayers) in the church and; in between, other allied
programs in the church premise are the salient feature during
these days.
“VIRAKIDEEL” (FIRE WOOD
COLLECTION & PROCESSION), “VECHOOT” (MASS LUNCHEON)
AND “NERCHA VILAMPU” (OFFERINGS DISTRIBUTION)
Thousands participate in the main feast on 7th May. After the
holy mass, it is customary to provide meals to the devotees (Vechoot).
Devotees bring children on this day for their first rice feed
at the hands of priests (Adya choroonu). After “Raza”
(cermonial procession) in the afternoon “Nercha Vilampu”
(rice flour bread and chicken distribution) is done. As per age
old practice devotees bring live fowls as offerings particularly
during this feast. Chicken is prepared out of the same and served
along with the appam brought as offerings by the devotees.
Fire wood for preparation of the above items is offered and collected
from Puthuppally and Ericadu hamlets and brought in ceremonial
procession to the church exactly in the same way as the flag masts
are brought. This is known as “Virakideel”. The cooking
starts in the early hours of the main feast day.
“THE GOLD CROSS”
The gold cross made of 401 sovereigns in AD 1858 is an artistic
feat and the symbol of abundance and glory. It is supposed to
have imbibed the spiritual power of St.George capable of warding
off the influence of evil sprits. A mere glimpse of the cross
satisfies and gives solace to a devotee. It is taken out only
during the main feast.
“RAZA” (CEREMONIAL PROCESSION)
The gold cross is taken out and after traditional prayers and
rites; it is placed on the main altar after holy mass on 6th May.
On the same day evening processions from the “Kurisin Thotty”
(Cross Towers) at Kochalummoodu and Parackal Kadavu proceed towards
Puthuppally church and reach there at about 8:00 PM. From there
a larger procession of devotees carrying Wooden cross, Gold cross,
Silver crosses, Muthukudas (Artistic umbrellas), Flags, Lit up
candles etc with traditional orchestral accompaniments is taken
out. The procession passes through Kuttenchirapaddy, Nilackal
pallypaddy and reaches the “Kurisin Thotty” at Puthuppally
junction, where prayers are held, reaches Puthuppally pally at
about 09:00 PM and ends up with prayers and blessing. It is worthwhile
to mention that during the above procession, the people of all
hues and creeds enroute greet it in front of their houses / shops
with lit up wick lamps and candles before an intercessor’s
photo and; they are blessed by the main priest in the procession.
“DEEPA KAZHCHA” (LIGHT DISPLAY) AND “KARIMARUNNU
PRAYOGAM” (FIRE WORKS)
The paddy fields in front of the church are usually flooded in
May. Thousands of wick lamps are lit up and floated in coconut
shells in these waters on the evening of May 6th before the processions.
It is like a galaxy on water.
The feast ends up with display of fire works soon after the procession.
The fire work is a grand display of light, sound and colour enjoyed
by thousands of devotees.
B. ONE-PIECE GRANTIE CROSS AND PEDESTAL
There is an artistically carved out tall monoblock granite cross
at the foot of the flight of steps in front of the church. It
is mounted on an octagonal cupola resting on a square base.
Around the base there are 84 wicks slots supposed to represent
12 apostles and 72 divine messengers. It is believed that penitences
and supplications made by fervent prayers of devotees after
a dip in Kodoorar followed by lighting up of 84 wick lamps would
be responded to. On either side of this cross there is a multi
step wick lamp made of granite (kal vilakku).
C. PUTHUPPALLY CROSS
This unique cross made of bronze is believed to be as old as
the church. Its base is turtle shaped. Turtle symbolises incarnation
and hence points to the birth of Christ to redeem sinners. The
top end and the middle of the upright beam and the ends of the
transverse beam of the cross are shaped like a dove with bowed
head and wings down, which symbolises the Holy Spirit. The ring
at the junction of the cross with its four diagonally positioned
sheaves in each quarter indicates universalism and divine love.
The handle of the cross resembles that of a sword / sceptre.
It heralds the victory of the cross, which arouses the memories
of love, sacrifice and the resurrection of Christ
D. BELL TOWERS
The former bell tower which was dismantled around 1950 was seven
storeyed, with a spiral staircase. The bell was made in Germany.
Its sound was audible upto 15 kilometers. Now there are two
bell towers, the old bell is fixed in the south bell tower and
a new bell of 1105 Kg is fixed in the north bell tower. These
two bell towers have added splendor to the church complex.
E. OVIAPPAM
During the 8th to the 40th day of “Valia Nombu”
(lent) devotees assemble in the church for penitence and fasting.
After mid-day prayers Oviappam is served to them, which is brought
as offerings by the devotees. It is prepared out of roasted
rice grains, black gram seeds, jaggery, coconut etc. It is unsoured
and steam-cooked in metal plates like “vattayappam”.
It is blessed by the priest and served to the devotees.
F. MADBAHA (SANCTUM) AND BASKUDISA (SANCTUM SANCTORUM)
The art work on the roof, baskudisa and the mural paintings
in the madbaha are very beautiful and depict many biblical entities.
The two chapels in the church complex also have been provided
with art works resembling those in the church.
