Manarcad Perunnal: St. Mary's Cathedral Annual Fiesta

Manarcad Perunnal: Annual Christian Festival at Manarcad St. Mary’s Church, Kerala

4to40.com August 30, 2025 Indian Festivals 2,669 Views

Manarcad Perunnal: Annual Christian Festival

St. Mary’s Cathedral, Manarcad is the only church in Malankara, where the site of the church was given in a divine revelation. The Holy Shrine celebrates the feast of the Nativity of Virgin Mary on September 8. September 01 to 08 is the historic Eight Day Lent at Manarcad and thousands of pilgrims throng here seeking favors and blessings from the Holy mother.

The Manarcad Perunnal, also known as Ettunoyambu or the Eight-Day Lent, is a prominent annual festival held at St. Mary’s Church in Manarcad, Kottayam

The legend of the church speaks of a time when a huge stone cross was to be erected and the people sought for help from an elephant owner who resided about 6 kilometers away from the church. The owner refused the favour and as the devotees returned in despair pondering on how to erect the giant cross, to their amazement they found that the cross has been erected and before them stood a huge elephant. The Tradition of practicing the Eight-Day Lent is as old as the church itself, it started when such a practice did not exist in any episcopal church. Even in early days, people came from faraway places to take part in this lent. The feast or Perunnal is celebrated to pay obeisance to the Holy Mother Mary.

Name:	Manarcad Perunnal
Location:	St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Cathedral, Manarcad, Kottayam District, Kerala 686019 India
Events:	• Rassa Procession • Darshan • Pachor Nercha • Fireworks • Traditional Art Forms
Affiliation:	Christianity
Website:	manarcadstmaryschurch.org
Celebration:	September 01- 08 (Annually)

During the festival devotees generally fast and stay at the church from morning till night. The last three days of the festival marked by grand processions carrying golden crosses with colorful embellished umbrellas. These last three days mark the festivity of the festival to its peak when thousands of followers participate in the processions.

Celebrated from September 1st to 8th every year, the festival highlights the feast of St. Mary's Cathedral. — Celebrated from September 1st to 8th every year, the festival highlights the feast of St. Mary’s Cathedral.

As an offering decked parasols are offered to Lord Muthukuda. During Manarcad Perunnal the golden cross and the holy tank of church especially honored by the devotees.

These eight days of festive celebrations fill ardent devotion and grandeur in the atmosphere of the Manarcad.

The Manarcad Perunnal is signified by eight days of devotion and festivities where thousands of devotees flock in to be part of this grand occasion and remain in the church premises from morning till night. The celebrations mark the annual feast of St Mary’s Cathedral at Manarcad in Kottayam. The highlight of the festival is a spirited procession carrying the sacred golden cross, known as the “Rassa”, which is taken out on the final three days of the feast. The devotees participate in the procession holding muthukuda (decorated parasols). Locally known as ettunoyambu (ettu in local language Malayalam means eight and noyambu means fasting) or Eight Day Lent the feast sees a huge influx of devotees from near and far arriving to pay their obeisance and observe fasting.

How to Reach Manarcad:

By Air:

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 76 km from Kottayam.

By Rail:

Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 10 km away.

By Road:

Manarcad is just 10 kilometers drive from Kottayam town.

St. Mary's Cathedral in Manarcad, also recognized as the Global Marian Pilgrim Centre — St. Mary’s Cathedral in Manarcad, also recognized as the Global Marian Pilgrim Centre, is unique in Malankara for its site, which was divinely revealed

Manarcad Perunnal Celebration:

The eventful eight days are filled with devotion and grandeur and the premises of the church are filled with thousands of devotees from morning till night. The feast is locally known as Ettu Nombu. Devotees offer special prayers and observe fasts during this time. The procession carrying the sacred golden cross is held during the last three days of the feast. The historic feast procession (Rassa) takes place on September 6 with accompaniments of Muthukudas, hundreds of gold and silver crosses, brass bands and orchestras. The covered portrait of the Holy Mother with infant Jesus in her hand, kept in the sanctum sanctorum will be open for viewing on 7th September every year. The portrait is closed on 14th September. Pachor, made from rice, milk and Jaggery is prepared and given to all devotees. During the eight – day lent festival, a splendid and massive display of fireworks is also held after which parish members perform traditional art forms.