Pampady Dayara

Pothenpuram dayara, Pampady dayara or Mar Kuriakose dayara as it is variously called, with the spirit of a saint inhabiting and inspiring it, is now well known, far outside the boundaries of Kerala or India.

History

It was on May 24, 1914 that Pampady Kuriakose Ramban moved into a mud hovel for the first time on Pothenpuram hills, infested with wild animals. He would spend his day time there, but would get back to the comparative safety of Pampady Valiya Pally at night, the church and surroundings being equally forlorn after night fall. Later on he put up a small building barely sufficient for human habitation. A thatched roof on uncompleted four walls served for a church to help him continue his 'thapsya' (life of prayer and meditation).

The foundation for the new dayara church was laid by Yuyakim Mar Iranios, Metropolitan of Kandanad Diocese on May 26, 1920. It was completed within three years. Kuriakose Rambachan continued his fasting prayer everyday during this long period.

In 1929 he was ordained as the Metropolitan. The veranda on both sides of the church were put up in 1947. His tomb was to be on the eastern end of the northern verandha. It was his practice to prepare himself for his life with the lord in the vault of his. A living saint absolutely unafraid of death was Pampady Thirumeni.

Pilgrimage and Blessings

The place continued to be blessed even after his death, due to his intercession. Hundreds of devotees visit his tomb and gets blessed. Sick gets healed and barren mothers gets her children to fondle, and then in many cases, to be dedicated to the service in the church. On 5th April, the day of the feast thousands of devotees come, many from far away Kunnamkulam where Thirumeni served the sick and needy.