Malayattoor Kurisumudy

Malayattoor Kurisumudy is a hilltop Catholic shrine located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is one of the eight international shrines dedicated to St. Thomas the Apostle and the only such shrine in Asia. The site is associated with the tradition that St. Thomas prayed here in AD 52 after facing hostility from locals. Pilgrims climb the hill, often barefoot and carrying crosses, especially during the Lenten season leading up to Easter.

Visitors can expect a steep trek up a rough, rocky trail to reach the hilltop church at an elevation of approximately 390 meters. The shrine features a golden cross and a stone believed to bear St. Thomas's footprint. During the annual pilgrimage season, thousands of devotees climb the hill carrying wooden crosses or stones as a symbol of penance. The site offers panoramic views of the surrounding Western Ghats and the Periyar river valley. Facilities include parking, toilets, and refreshment stalls at the base and along the path.

According to tradition, St. Thomas the Apostle visited Malayattoor in AD 52. Facing hostility from natives, he fled to the hilltop where he prayed and left his footprint on a rock. The pilgrimage tradition dates back over 1400 years. The church was recognized as an international shrine by the Vatican.

Malayattoor is a major Christian pilgrimage center in South India, attracting devotees from across the country and abroad. The annual Lenten pilgrimage, especially during Holy Week, sees thousands climbing the hill barefoot carrying crosses as a vow of penance. It is considered the largest Indian pilgrimage in honor of St. Thomas the Apostle.