Changanachery

In the vast land of India, the small town of Changanachery, is a good example of religious harmony, where people of all communities and ethnic backgrounds have amicably co-existed for centuries, enriching each other's lives.
HINDUS
One of the ancient place of Hindu worship in Changanacherry is the Subrahmanya Temple at Perunna. This temple was built in 753 A.D. 'Urazhma' Devaswam Board looks after the administrative affairs of the temple. The well known "Temple Entrance Declaration" that introduced a new age in the social set up of the state was first applied in this temple.
Kavil Bhagavathi TempleDuring the reign of Tekkumcore kings, the temple called Kavil Ambalam or Sree Bhagavathy Temple (Puzhavath) was built. This is near the Munsif Court of Changanacherry that stands very close to the Old Muslim Mosque here. Bhadra Kali is the goddess of this temple. An Auditorium and a 'Kalyana Mandapam' (a special building for weddings) are associated with this temple. This temple welcomes the procession of the "Chandanakudam" celebration that starts from the Mosque at Puthoor.
Sree Krishna Jayanthy (the celebration of the birthday of Sree Krishna) is the most important celebration of the Sreekrishan Swamy Temple at Mathumoola. There are still many other famous temples such as Thrikkannapuram Temple (Perunna), Sree Bhagavathy Temple (Perunna),Sree Bhagavathy Temple, Sree Maha Deva Temple (Vazhapally) which are all within the Municipal confines of Changanachery.
Another notable place in Changanachery is the "Anandasheam Guru Mandiram" which was founded by Mahatma Gandhi. The two visits of Sree Narayana Guru have added much to the significance of this Mandhiram. The things that were used by Sree Narayana Guru at that time have been kept as sacred relics to this day.
CHRISTIANS
In 1885, under the leadership of Maliekkal Muthachan, the Metropolitan church was established. The major celebration of the church is the festival of St. Sebastian (January) and of St. Mary (September). This Metropolitan Catholic church is the oldest Christian church in the diocese .
Parel ChurchThe famous pilgrim festival of St. Mary is celebrated in Parel Church, located at Changanachery. The celebration lasts for three days, the 6th, 7th and 8th of December. A huge gathering from various religious beliefs and backgrounds visit this place during these days. The Parel Church is the only Marian pilgrim centre in the diocese. The Church measures 1000 Ft by 521 ft and has an area of 51,000 sq. ft.
Holy Heart Church (Chethipuzha), Fathima Matha Church, Gethsemane Church (Mathumoola) St. Joseph's Church (Veroor) and Antony's church (Perunna) are the other main churches at Changanachery.
MUSLIMS
Ashur Meera Sahib from Madeena was the one who gave leadership to the construction of the old Mosque in Changanachery. Due to the request of this highly respectable personality for a Muslim place of worship at Changanachery, the King of Thekkumcore gladly gave him the land for it. The land was very close to the Kavil Temple and the Metropolitan church.
Puthoor MosqueThe Puthoor Mosque which stands opposite to the State Transport office at Changanachery is said to have been built by a group of people from the old Mosque around 600 years back. For the last 329 years, the "Chandanakkudam" celebration has been held by the Puthoor Mosque on every 25th and 26th of December. It still continues without a break.
FESTIVALS
December is a month of celebration for the people in Changanachery. They celebrate Mandala Pooja (Hindus), Christmas (Christians) and Chandanakundam (Muslims) together during this time. People irrespective of their religious affiliations, go from one place of worship to another.
There is a historical basis to the marvelous scene of the Christian, Hindu and Muslim worship places stands together in Changanachery. It is indeed a history of religious harmony.
It was Udaya Marthanda Varama who built the Kavil Temple near the palace. He divided same land for the worship buildings of Hindus, Christians and Muslims. He wished to hear the different religious prayers at the same time from the same place. According to the guidance and construction of Udaya Marthanda Varma, the famous Chandanakkundam (pot made up of Sandal wood) celebrations began.
On every Christmas evening the 25th of December, the procession with Chandanakkundam starts from, Jumma Masjid. The decorated elephants carry the young men with the sacred pots. It is the Kavil Temple that gives the first welcome to this procession. This procession, after receiving warm welcomes in various places by the people from different spheres of life, reaches of Puthoor Mosque by the morning of the 27th December.
Changanachery is the centre of two major religious groups. The Arch Metropolis of Catholic church and the centre of Nair Service Society (N.S.S) are both located here.