The Mar Thoma Pontifical Shrine is a St Peter’s basilica besides the backwaters of Kochi, dedicated to St Thomas. It is situated at Marthoma Nagar, at Azhikode near Kodungallur. It is built along the lines of the St Peter's Basilica in Rome. The shrine stands on the beautiful banks of the river Periyar.

St Thomas, a disciple of Jesus, arrived in Kerala in A.D. 52 at Cranganore (now Kodungallor). He formed seven churches in Kerala, the first one at Azhikode. The place lost its ecclesiastical importance during the reign of Tipu Sultan, but was reinstated in the later colonial times. In 1953, a bone of the apostle St Thomas was brought from Italy and enthroned in this shrine, which has been attracting thousands of pilgrims to this shrine from all over the world. The relic is enclosed in a glass case and exposed daily from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. for veneration of the faithful.

Special mediatory prayers (Novena) are conduced on request every Sunday. The main feast of the church is celebrated on November 21 in commemoration of the apostles’ Entrance to India and it lasts for a week.

A memorial presentation, 'Marthoma Smruthi Tharangam' depicts the vision and mission of St Thomas. This audio-visual presentation would help you understand the history of St Thomas and his mission in India.

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