Vagamon Kurishumala Church — Attraction in Kerala

We were doubtful if we should go there or not as we were tired after seeing so many places. But if we had come back without going there that would have been the biggest regret. We didn't know the way from half way we decided to go back. Finally we went ahead. When we reached the destination all of a sudden it was covered with mist and couldn't see anything ahead. Beautiful place. The Belgium Carmelite Order missionary, Fr. John Baptist, who climbed the Kondaketty-mala with a small group of parishioners on the 27th of March 1957 has established a wooden Cross on its zenith, christening it as ‘Kurisu-mala’ (Eng.: Mount of the Cross). This has also marked the beginning of the pilgrimage to ‘Neruka’, the summit of the mount. Over the years, as the wooden Cross got naturally damaged, a 7m tall concrete Cross is established in its place. The 1200 m journey to ‘Neruka’ over the stony and dusty hill, winding through steep rocks, enables one to realise the ‘Passion’ of Christ, who carried the Holy Cross to Golgotha before His Crucifixion. However, the abundance of greenery along the path offers shelter and comfort as a bliss from heaven. The 14 Stations of the Way of the Cross have been erected in the 1980s and has been declared as an official Pilgrim Centre in 1984. One who takes the pain to climb the summit is blessed not only with the sight of the religious structures erected there but also rendered spellbound at the sight of the scenic beauty and serenity. The horizon from ‘Neruka’ is enchanting. The pilgrims gather at the Sangamavedi (Meeting place) in the foot hill, from where the pilgrimage to this Calvary of Vagamon begins. Also found in the foot hill, a Chapel, Holy Cross Altar, the Shrine of Pieta and an imitation of the Garden of Gethsemane. Opposite to Kurisu-mala, can be witnessed the mount of Lord Muruga (Murugan-mala) holding His temple and peacock statue. On the other side is the Centenary Memorial of St. Thomas, the Apostle of India. The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes is erected atop a small hillock at a...

Kurisumala Ashram is a Trappist Monastery in Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in the Sahya Mountains in Kerala, India. Kurisu is the translation of the word cross into Malayalam, the language of Kerala; mala means mountain; ashram means monastery. Hence, the name describes the community of monks who practise austerity and live a strict monastic life on the mount of the Cross in the high hills of Kerala.

A popular Christian pilgrimage, it is flocked by followers specially during the Good Friday week. Its followers come from various part of the country to climb up the hills with wooden crosses. Kurisumala is one of the most popular tourist spots in Vagamon.Set in the verdant hills of Vagamon is a Cistercian monastery part of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church. It's a serene place, where one feels at peace with oneself.

Best Time for walking to top hill is morning and also little bit in evening but I felt that the noon time little bit hard because of the bright Sunny day, otherwise it's okey.. when we climbing or walking to the top of the hill we can see There are many memorial concrete posts in a particular distance I don't remember the correct count of the posts and its more than 10 anyway way to top is little bit adventures and interesting and views and cold wind gives a beautiful...

Kurisumala Ashram is situated at a serene atmosphere in a vast area of land where we can visit after taking permission. From the main gate to the second gate we can go by car and from there we have to walk. After walking up the steep road on the hill we reach the premises of the Ashram we can feel the hush apart from the slight murmur of the breeze. Up the hill we can see the small monastery to the left, the chapel in the right side, the gardens and then the dairy farm. The monks living in the ashram make their livelihood by breeding cows and selling the milk. The monks who wear a long loose dress in Kavi color wont wear sandals and they cultivate vegetables, cook their food and wash their cloth and have regular meditation and prayer apart from the work. We visited the chapel, the small library and then went to see the dairy farm and breeding center. We couldn't go to the Resurrection Garden where the monks who passed away are buried. The serene atmosphere, the simple life style of the monks, the variety of cows, the breeding center, the chapel and the beautiful gardening all will give us a...