St. George Orthodox Church
'Puthuppally Perunnal' or the 'Feast of St. George' is the annual festival of the renowned St. George Orthodox Church in Puthuppally. Conducted in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May), this two-day festival is also a symbol of religious amity as it is celebrated by people from all walks of life, irrespective of their caste and creed.
The festivities begin with the official flag hoisting known as 'Kodiyettu', ten days before the feast. Arecanut palms are brought to the church by devotees from Puthuppally and Ericadu in a ceremonial procession accompanied by a marching band and thousands of people. These flag masts are then blessed by the vicars and erected in front of the church. The ensuing ten days are both a time of meditation and are also marked by various ceremonies.
On the eve of the 'Perunnal', firewood for the preparation of the feast is brought to the church in a procession known as 'Virakideel' by the male members of all the families in the parish. The 'Ponkurisu' (Golden Cross) is taken out and placed on the main altar after holy mass. The preparation for the 'Vechoot' (communal feast) begins in the early morning. The grand ceremonial procession known as 'Raza', is welcomed by people with lighted lamps and candles. The feast ends with a magnificent firework display. As the festivities come to an end, the numerous coconut shell lamps floating in the waters of the nearby paddy fields add to the sense of joyful exuberance that permeates the atmosphere.
