St. Andrew’s Basilica in Arthunkal is an important church. It is the largest shrine dedicated to St. Sebastian in the world. Originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century it celebrates ‘Arthunkal Perunnal’ the feast day of St. Sebastian who is known for healing serious illnesses and protecting followers from accidents. This amazing festival has made Arthunkal one of the biggest and most famous pilgrimage centres in Kerala. On the 10th of January each year thousands of Christian and non-Christian worshippers come from all parts of southern India to take part in the eleven-day celebration which begins with music and fireworks.
The famous statue of St. Sebastian was sculpted in Milan in 1647. It is a startling image of the saint’s body pierced with arrows. Seen just once a year, the statue is particularly moving and powerful to the faithful. The rest of the time it is kept hidden. St. Sebastian was shot with arrows on the orders of the Roman Emperor when it was discovered he was a Christian. During the festival the standing statue of the saint in an elaborate gold case is placed on a palanquin, a large mobile altar and carried at the head of the procession which makes its way from the church to the beach and back. It moves at a slow pace surrounded by worshippers and each year an eagle is seen flying high in the sky, seeming to follow the procession. Many devotees perform particular penances during the procession such as crawling or rolling the one kilometre between the church and the beach. This astonishing ritual known as uralal nercha is to show their respect and gratitude. Some hold gold or silver tokens, ambum villum, made in the shape of bows and arrows and even human limbs while others give a range of diverse offerings.
Each day the large area surrounding the church comes alive. Dozens of stalls sell a variety of food, sweets, drinks and even household goods such as plastic buckets and brooms. Long lines of women and children holding gaily coloured silk umbrellas sit patiently on the sand waiting their turn to see the statue of St. Sebastian while groups of drummers and jugglers entertain the crowds well into the evening. By nightfall the lights decorating the facade of the church begin to glow and revolve in concentric circles. The combination of the lights, heat and dust, incense and the smell of the ocean create a hypnotic atmosphere. This is when one experiences India’s intense religious passion and fervour.
The church welcomes Hindu pilgrims who worship Lord Ayyappa at the famous Sabarimala temple, 160 kilometres away. The Sabarimala festival is one of the largest Hindu pilgrimage sites in the world. Over fifty million people of all denominations visit each year. After returning to Arthunkal the pilgrims pay their respects to St. Sebastian, who they believe is the brother of Lord Ayyappa. They then bathe in the pond attached to the church or swim in the ocean. St. Andrew’s Basilica is an example of religious harmony, a characteristic common to many churches and temples in Kerala.
Excerpted with permission of Niyogi Books from The Churches of India by Joanne Taylor.
Hi All.. For the kind information of the author and all who commented here, I think I can tell you the true story. I am from Arthunkal and I belong to the very old Nair family of Puliyamkottu very near to Arthunkal church.It is my ancestors who offered land to build the church here. Our ancestors had a temple here and worshipped Lord Shiva. There was a pond nearby where ‘Arattu’ utsav was conducted every year. The place where this was conducted was known as ‘Arattungal ‘. This name later changed as arthunkal as you see now.Later the financial conditions went bad and temple was ruined. The church was built later. Some of our ancestors changed to christianity and we still maintain good relationship with them. The remains of the temple were there nearby till 1980’s. But now it is all removed. Might be our ancestors visited the the temple before going to sabarimala and the practice continued even after. Later all these cooked up stories as brother and all evolved. But past is past. Let us live peacefully in harmony in our beautiful world.
To all the Ayyappa devotees and other hindus claiming that this article is fake as they’re mentioning about St. Sebastian and Ayyappa being brothers,
At the end of the day we’re all humans and most importantly we’re malayalees; and we are bound to respect each others religion irrespective of whether its Hindu, Muslim or Christian. By respect, i mean even though the article might not have the proper information about the history, we’re obliged to “speak and comment” in a respectful manner. Disrespectful comments on others religion won’t solve the problem and of course the article won’t be deleted if you speak ill about Christians. There are many other famous malayalam websites which have the same information about St. Sebastian and Ayyappa being friends.. I mean if they were friends why can’t we just agree afterall both Christians and Hindus respect these saints/Gods!
Its a humble request to please read the website of online manorama regarding this belief! It says,
“Cherthala: With the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam setting in, almost all the temples across the state see a steady flow of Sabarimala pilgrims. And many travel to Arthunkal Basilica as part of the pilgrimage. Here’s why they do it.
The belief
Lord Ayyappa, it is said, used to be very friendly with St Sebastian. They were so close that the two were considered brothers by people of both the religions. It is this ideal of religious harmony that draws Sabarimala pilgrims to Arthunkal Basilica.
The ritual
Thousands of Sabarimala pilgrims travel to Arthunkal, offer their prayers at church, remove the sacred chain that they had worn around their neck to mark the vow to undertake the pilgrimage (called ‘mudra’. It may be sometimes worn on a string). They take a customary dip in the pond outside the church too.”
And if this comment hurts your feelings I’m so sorry but you should learn about how we should NOT talk about other religions in a disrespectful way! Thank you.
This news is utter nonsense! there is only one connection for Lord Ayyappa with another religion, That is Muslim. and still it continues through his devotees, Vavar swami in Erumeli mosque.nothing to do with Christian faith
ANOTHER ATTEMPT BY THE MISSIONARY TO CONFUSE HINDUS THEY HAVE TURNED GOD’S OWN COUNTRY LITERALLY MEANING COUNTRY OF TEMPLE’S INTO A DUMP OF CHURCHES WITH RAMPANT CONVERSION OF POOR HINDUS BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THEIR POVERTY.NOW THEY ARE ATTACKING THE SABARIMALA AS IT’S A CENTRE OF UNITY AMONG HINDUS IRRESPECTIVE OF THE CASTE CREED ETC NO WHERE IN AYYAPPAS PURANAS IS MENTIONED THAT STORY THAT IS SCANDALOUS LY PEDDLED HERE
These Christian missionaries are utter scoundrels. They dig their own grave…
Bull shit.not worthy to comment. Successive governments in Kerala destroyed great culture of Kerala to encourage non hindus
Kindly read up before trying to write and publish something. You should be more responsible while trying to write about how 2 religions are related.
It is not so easy to convert hindus, we know what we believe in. we are free to worship, but it does not mean you can create fake stories for publicity.
Hindus are the only people who dont mind entering any place of worship and still come out as hindus. We are tolerant and have survived for thousands of years.
First read about the origins and roots of your new born religions. Then you will truly realise who you really are worshipping – the same Parabrahman.
Namaste.
FAKE NEWS
I am from central Kerala and from from the same district where Sabarimala temple is located. I have visited the temple 25 times but have never heard of such a relationship between Lord Ayyappa and St.Sebastian (being brothers). It’s like saying I am the brother of Emperor Ashoka who lived centuries before me.
It’s just an attempt to attract Sabarimala pilgrims to the church & make money out of them. There is a description of king Vavar (a muslim ruler of that times) in the story of Lord Ayyappa. Also, there is a place dedicated to Vavar at Sabarimala where we all pray.
But, linking Sabarimala temple & lord Ayyappa to Christianity & claiming that Ayyappa devotees visit & offer prayers at St.Sebastian church is totally ridiculous, mischievous & with bad intentions and one which is intended to hurt Hindu sentiments.
If that is the case, there are 100s of small & big churches enroute Sabarimala. Why don’t Ayyappa devotees go there? Why at this church alone which is no where on Sabarimala route?
Publishers have the basic responsibility to seek the genuineness of a news article which comes to them, before putting them in public domain. Hence, it’s advised to remove this article without any further delay.
May be it’s the other way around. These Church devotees want to visit Shabarimala, but stopped by brainwashing molesting Christian priests. Is the writer smoking some high class weed, to say this saint is brother of Lord Ayyappa. Visit Shabarimala once and take a file in river Pampa, your sins will be washed off.
So, out of curiosity, how much did they pay you to sell ur flithy soul to satan and write a satanic version about Hindus and Hinduism? And how do you look at yourself for being so cheap?
May ur soul rest in the place it deserve, hell.
You badly need medical help.Dont do this, kerala is a wonderful harmony of culture and religion,pls dont taint the social fabric with such irresponsible writing. Have some more freaking thoughts, do discuss with your family before you push it on public domain,may be they can help.