About Palayoor
Palayoor St. Thomas Church
The St. Thomas Church at Palayoor is the oldest church in India. It was built by St Thomas - the Apostle in A.D.52. St. Thomas, the Apostle arrived in A.D.52 at Crangannur {now Kodungallur} with Jewish merchants for the propagation of Christ’s message and through the sea route reached Palayoor in 52 A.D. and built the Church here. This famous Palayoor pilgrim centre is at Chavakkad, near Thrissur.



Palayoor Kurissu palliChristianity has taken its root in India in the first century itself. i.e., three centuries before it gained official recognition in Europe or became the established religion in Rome. St Thomas, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ landed in Muzris (Kodungallur), the famous ancient ports on the West Coast of India during the year 52 A.D. He founded seven Churches on the Kerala coast in the following places: ­ Palayoor, Kodungallur (Maliankara), Quilon (Kollam), Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Nilakkal, and Paravoor. The present St Thomas Archdiocesan Shrine, Palayoor is believed to be the first Christian Church established on the Indian soil.

Boat Jetty

St Thomas Traveled from Kodungallur through the backwaters and reached at Vanchi Kadavu (Boat Jetty) of Palayoor. This Boat Jetty in Palayoor still exists in the form of a large pond, which is called Bottukulam. A replica of the boat in which St Thomas traveled and his life size statue is the main attractions of Bottukulam.


The Miracle at Thaliyakulam
Thaliyakulam CavesOne of the miracles performed by St Thomas in Palayoor was in Thaliyakulam. One day when the local people were having their morning snanam (bath) at Thaliakulam, St Thomas saw the people throwing water in the air as a ritual, which was called “Tharpanam”. He was fascinated in their act and himself took some water in his cupped hands and thrown it into the air. Legend has it that the water remained in the air in the form of roses. Most of the people who saw this miracle believed in Christ and were baptized by St Thomas.

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The followers of St Thomas grew large in number and Palayoor became one of the main Christian Centers of Kerala. Because of the importance of Palayoor as a Christian Center, Pope Gregory 13th appointed a Bishop in Palayoor but due to certain circumstances the appointed Bishop could not take charge of the post. The present Church was rebuild by the Italian Jesuit Father Fenichio in the year 1607. Rev Fr George Choondal, then Vicar also made some renovations and two wings were added to the Northern and southern sides of the Church during 1952.



palli maniImportant Historical Monuments at Palayoor

  1. The Boat Jetty (Bottukulam) where St Thomas landed at Palayoor.
  2. Thaliyakulam -The pond where St Thomas baptized the local people.
  3. The replica of Chinna Malai(of Mylapore - Madras) where St Thomas attainted martyrdom in AD 72.
  4. The historical remnants of old Aryan Temple.
  5. Historical Museum.
  6. 14 granite life size statues of various scenes from the life of St Thomas installed on the main entrance of the Church.
  7. The Jubilee Door in front of the entrance of the main hall of the Church, depicting various important Biblical events, carved in Burmese teak

How to reach.
How to reach palayoorPalayoor is a part of Thrissur District and is located on the west Cost of Kerala. By road it takes 28 Km to reach Palayoor from Thrissur. It is on Thrissur - Chavakad route, via Pavaratty. To travel by train catch Thrissur - Guruvayur train (24 Km). From Guruvayur to Palayoor take a bus or a taxi/auto rikshaw (2 Km). Nedumbasserry International Airport is only 80 Km from Palayoor.
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