St. Mary’s Church, Kottayam; photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

Kerala is known for the abundance of churches that can be found every few kilometers. Every Christian family in Kerala is associated to a church, which represents the major celebrations in a family from baptism, to a child’s religious education, to his or her marriage. In this way the church plays a vital role in every individual’s and family’s life. St Mary’s church celebrates five feasts through the year which attracts lakhs of devotes seeking blessings.

Though Christmas and Easter are celebrated with vigour all through the state, church festivals mark a special form of festivity among the Christians of Kerala.