Christmas in Kerala is just awesome. Family reunion, cakes, wines, music, carols, merrymaking, all make way for a wonderful occasion of happiness and bliss. No matter which religious faith you belong, Christmas is a festival of joy and unity for the people of Kerala and they celebrate it with much pomp and fervor. Even if you have visited Kerala before, a trip to Kerala during Christmas and New Year offers you an entirely different experience.
With grand celebrations, beach festivals and carnivals, the usually-traditional Kerala will go totally western during this festive season. But if you wish to celebrate Christmas and New Year in a traditional Kerala style, the best way is to visit its beautiful Churches, take part in the midnight mass and solemn service as well as indulge in its fun-filled celebrations. Christmas & New Year becomes more incredible when you celebrate it in Churches. Moreover, the wonderful Churches in God’s Own Country is absolutely a great place to begin the New Year with the blessings of God Almighty!
Here are the top 10 Churches To Visit In Kerala During Christmas And New Year:
Santa Cruz Basilica, Fort Kochi
Santa Cruz Basilica, situated in Fort Kochi is one of the best churches in Kerala to visit during Christmas and New Year. It is one among the eight Basilicas in India which hosts Christmas and New Year celebrations with prayers and midnight masses flooded by tourists and locals.
Built during the arrival of Portuguese in 1500 CE, Santa Cruz Basilica is an epitome of Gothic architecture with the blend of Indo-European styles. This 500-years old magnificent Church is remarkable for its historical paintings, murals and frescos which depicts the scenes from the Bible. The beautiful church adorns with sparkling lights and the Christmas carols and carnivals create a joyous ambiance during the festive season.
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St. George Syro- Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Edappally, Kochi
Counted as the richest Catholic shrine in Kerala, St. George Syro- Malabar Catholic Forane Church situated at Edappally in Kochi is one of the most famous churches in Kerala and is worth to visit during Christmas and New Year. It is believed to be the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Kerala. With spectacular Christmas decorations, St. George Forane Church turns to be one of the most stunning Churches to be visited during Christmas and New Year.
The beautiful mural of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus with angels around them makes the interior of the Church extraordinarily captivating. The Church boasts a holy well with water that possesses curative powers that attract devotees from all over the world.
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Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours, Thrissur
Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours is one of the must-visit churches in Kerala during Christmas and New Year. It is situated in Thrissur district of Kerala and is said to be one of the oldest churches in the district as well as the largest church in India which spread over an area of 25,000 square feet.
This towering white marble edifice is also crowned as the third tallest church in Asia. It forms a minor Basilica of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. The Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours reflects an Indo-Gothic style of architecture and looks more elegant with glittering lightings during the festive season. The church is thronged by devotees and tourists on Christmas and New Year eve who come here to attend the midnight mass.
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St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Palayam, Trivandrum
An epitome of the Roman Catholic faith in the country, St. Joseph’s Cathedral situated at Palayam in Trivandrum district is over 137 years old. Also known as Palayam Palli, the St. Joseph’s Cathedral is adorned in pristine white and beige and reflects the Gothic style of architecture. The statue of Jesus with hands raised atop the tower is the main attraction of Palayam Palli.
The Church also houses a statue of its patron St. Joseph holding baby Jesus in his arms. Both the interiors and exteriors are beautifully decked up for the Christmas and New Year eve offering a splendid sight, especially during the night. Devotees from far and wide visit Palayam Palli during Christmas and New Year to receive heavenly blessings and to indulge in the celebrations.
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Catholic Rosary Church, Thalassery, Kannur
The Catholic Rosary Church situated in Thalassery in Kannur district is yet another must-see church in Kerala. It is one of the oldest churches that date back to the 16th century. To visit here during Christmas and New Year is a different experience. The church is of mystical beauty, built-in colonial architecture with stained glasses, frescos and the wide facade.
The beautiful location of the Church near to the famous Thalassery Fort and beach offers a spellbinding view of the sea which makes it an ultimate place to celebrate Christmas and New Year. The devotees welcome Christmas and New Year with prayers, midnight mass, carols and carnivals.
Explore Catholic Rosary Church this festive season for an unforgettable experience.
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St. Andrews Forane Church, Arthunkal, Alleppey
St. Andrews Forane Church, also referred to as Arthunkal Church is a very famous Christian Pilgrimage centre in Kerala visited by hundreds and thousands of people regardless of religion. It is situated in the coastal town named Arthunkal in Alleppey district. The Church was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese missionaries and it boasts of the biggest Shrine of St Sebastian in the world. Hence, it is also known as St. Sebastian Church.
The Church also owns the status of a Basilica. The Church is full of life during Christmas and New Year and sparkling lights hanging from the skyscraping church creates a wonderful attraction. Visit Arthunkal Church and mesmerize at its beautiful decorations and inspiring midnight service during this festive season.
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Christ Church, Munnar
A timeless piece of architecture, Christ Church beautifully placed on a small hillock at the most enchanting hill station of Munnar leaves you to spellbind with its religious, historic and architectural significance. Celebrating Christmas and New Year at this mesmerizing Church surrounded by an endless carpet of greenery and peaceful ambiance offers you an awesome experience.
The Church looks extraordinary in the neo-gothic style of architecture with granite imported from the UK and elegant stained glass work and brass plaques. The CSI Christ Church in Munnar is built in the early 1900s by a British planter named Henry Knight in the memory of his wife Ilianor Knight. Enjoy an exotic Christmas and New Year at CSI Christ Church Munnar.
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Nadamel Marth Mariam Church, Kochi
Nadamel Marth Mariam Church is another famous church in Kerala and a well-known tourist attraction that belongs to the Syrian Jacobites. It is situated in Tripunithura in Kochi which was patronized by Cochin Royal Family.
There exist a unique tradition that whenever a new heir ascended the throne in the Royal Family of Cochin, he would make an offering called Sharkara thattu veypu at Nadamel Marth Mariam Church and meet the bishops and leaders in person. The altar of the Church holds beautiful carvings that reflect ancient artistic wealth. Nadamel Marth Mariam Church is also a nice pick for you to celebrate a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
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Vimalagiri Church, Kottayam
Vimalagiri Church, also known as the Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral, is a popular church in Kerala which is built in the Gothic architectural style. The most striking feature of Vimalagiri Church is its 172-feet tall tower which is said to be the tallest church tower in Kerala.
This beautiful Church is situated in Kottayam district and is noted for its magnificent architecture and historical significance. The deity of Mother Mary at Vimalagiri Church is fondly called as Vimalambika. Glittering in bright colored lights, one can witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the Church during Christmas and New Year.
Visit Vimalagiri Church and seek the blessings of Mother Mary along with enjoying a joyful Christmas and New Year celebration.
St. Francis Church, Kochi
One of the most famous churches in Kochi, the St. Francis Church is flooded by devotees for prayers during Christmas and New Year. Visitors are awed by the splendid lightings of the Church that turned it into a visual treat. This is one of the oldest European Churches in India which was built in the year 1503.
St. Francis Church is also one of the popular tourist attractions in Kochi where the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was initially buried before his remains were taken back to Lisbon after 14 years. You can also find a cenotaph in the middle of the lawn near the Church premise which was built in the loving memories of Kerala people who laid down their lives in the First World War.
Visit St. Francis Church this festive season and discover the fun of crib making, Christmas tree decoration together with other devotees and have a blessed New Year celebration.
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Make this Christmas & New Year a special and memorable one by exploring the marvelous Churches in Kerala.
On this very special occasion, explore the God’s Own Country with Kerala Tourism Holiday’s special tour packages and customized tour packages and have a blessed and blissful Christmas & New Year in Kerala.
Comment below which of these Churches in Kerala you’d like to celebrate this Christmas and New Year!
Also, let us know in the comments below any other best churches in Kerala that you know can be visited during this Christmas & New Year, other than our pick.