Arthunkal Basilica [St. Andrew's Basilica Church]

Arthunkal

St Andrew's Basilica Church, Arthunkal is one of the biggest pilgrimage centres of Kerala. Though the church is in the name of St Andrew, it is the St Sebastian's feast, that has brought fame to Arthunkal. The feast attracts tens of thousands of deists from all parts of Kerala and from the neighboring states of Tamilnadu and Karnataka. Every year, the feast gets off to a colourful start on the 10th January to the accompaniment of native music and fireworks. The main feast is celebrated on the 20th January, when the statue of the saint is taken in procession. The octave is on the 27th January. It is for the main feast that most of the pilgrims come. The Octave is considered the feast of the local people.

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