Hosts: Benny KurianWhen: Anytime Length of stay: The tours are for 4 to 7 days, but we can customize to your needs Number of guests: One or more Languages: English
Cost:
A Christian TourBACKGROUND: Even today, it is a question among historians - whether St.Thomas visited and established chrstianity in Kerala ( West Coast of India) or not. There is no clear cut evidence are available about his visit. But as per tradition we believed that the Apostel visited Kerala in AD 52. Kerala was well known among the ancient traders for spices and sandal wood. Pepper, Cardomom, cinnamon etc. are endemic to Kerala. During that period Kerala had effective trade relationship with Greeks, Romans, Arabs etc. The trades centers of Kerala were lead by Jews. Head loads of gold coins of Romans and Greeks ( from BC 27 to AD 80) where found in found in the ancient port city of Kerala.Act of "Judas Thomas" a Syrian script written about the advent of St.Thomas to India, and the traveloge of Thomas Canae from Syria who established Syrian christanity in AD 372 in Kerala, described about the Malabar Christian many ancient travellers mentioned about the christanity of Kerala. While the Portugese came here in 1498 AD, they found 143 established churches in Kerala. The Tour: More than a religious tour it is an enquiry into the St.Thomas question. As per the studies St.Thomas established 6 prayer centers in Kerala. All of them were Jewish trade centers. The tour visited 5 of such places, churches and relics, and served with traditional Christian food, Christian folk dances and music. Also has a visit to the Supreme Priest of Malabar Christians and discussions with eminent historians.
Itinerary: Day 2: Visit to Palayoor- where the Apostel established the first prayer center. The present church was built on a Jewish synagoge. Performance of ' Margam Kali' an ancient folk dance by Christian women. Day 3: Visit to Kodungalloor, the present name of Miziris where St.Thomas landed with Jewish traders. The old city was sunk into the sea in 13th century. Proceed to Cochin after visiting the first European fort in India. Perfomance of 'Chavittu Natakom' five hundred years old Christian opera. Day 4: Visit to the monuments of Cochin and proceed to "Kokkamangalam". This place was also established by the Apstel. Once it was a port . Visit to an old ship wrekage recently unearthed in land, almost 8 kilometers from sea. Proceed to "Niranam" the present name of and old port city "Nelconda" described by the Greek . Visit to the prayer center established by the Apstel. Visit to a family believed to be converted by St.Thomas. They were local Hindu Priest family. Day 5: Proceed to "Chayal " another center established by St.Thomas, once burnt and buried by looters. This place was found in 1980's escavation and the first ecumenical church was built there. Now it is situated in a tiger reserve. Day 6: visit to the headquarters of Catholicate of the East, discussions with historians, visit to the national heritage area. Day 7: See you off
A Jewish Tour
BACKGROUND: Kerala - known as 'SHINGLY' among the Jews even before King Solomon, is ancient Jewish settlement. As per History a group of 3000 Jews were migrated in to Shingly in AD 78 after the demolition of their second temple by Agasthus. There are many places are still known with Jews. Probably Kerala is the only place in the world were the Jews lived like kings during the exile, because the foreign trade was led by them. The earliest known written copper plate was issued by a Kerala king to a Jew in 10th century. There are many old synagogues and cemetery dated bad to AD 2nd century to 14th century are still preserved in Kerala, but only few Jews left.
The Tour: Day 2: Visit to "Mala" synagoge in an Island. Proceed to "Chennamangalam" synagoge built in 8th century.
Day 4: Visit to an Archaeological Museum and discussions with Jewish historians. And see you off |
Day 3: Visit to "Miziris" the place known as 'Shingly' were the Jews landed first. Proceed to Cochin. Visit to Ernakulam North and South synagogues built in 11th and 12th century respectively. Then visit to Fort cochin synagogue of European Jews.
