niranam

The St Mary's Orthodox Church is located at Niranam in Pathanamthitta district. The church was originally built in 54 AD and is one of the oldest in India. It forms part of the seven and a half Churches built by St Thomas known as Mar Thoma, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, in AD 54. The present building, which is supposedly the fourth one, was constructed in 1912 and was reinforced during the year 2000. The church has some of the archiological wonders which include some 500 years old urns and equally old brass lamps and very ancient chandeliers.

The other attractions at the church include a huge Cross made of granite, relics of St. Thomas, remnants of the old church, and the golden cross etc. The main Feast of the Church lasts eight days and starts from 1 September and lasts up to the 8th of September.