This is the official website for Chozikkara Mahadeva Temple. The fact that temples played a major role in moulding Hindu culture and devotion to God, is undeniable. Kerala is having a large number of ancient temples. One such temple is Sree Chozhikkara Mahadeva temple at Kallara, an interior village in Kottayam district. This very rare west facing temple, where the diety is usually powerful and benedictory, is believed to be more than 1400 years old according astrological calculation based on 'Deva Prasnas' conducted here. This temple was originally situated on a nearby small hill called "Neelimala" which is harldy 400 metres just east of the present structure. Legend says that due to power struggle and ownership fight among the chieftains or land lords, the temple was destroyed, the Sivalinga was damaged. Another is that the Tippu Sultan, in one of his annexations, plundered and destroyed the temple. It is evident from the old documents that those people who had leased the temple properties, parted with a portion their income for the temple festivals which was celebrated 10 days with all splendour starting from 'Kodiyettu'. In ancient times, the temple was known as ' Mozhikkulangara Mahadeva Temple' as also 'Yakshiambalam'. After ancient temple was destroyed, a new structure was built in the property of Chozhikkara Mossath, a Kerala Brahmin sect closely associated with Siva Temples, but without paying much attention to conventional Kerala temple architecture and thanthric rites. Later the temple administration was come under the control of Ezhumavil Nampoothiri, Chozhikkara Moosath and five Ilayath families namely Kochillam, Kolathillam, Edamanaillam, Marangattuillam, Theeyathillam. During the past 70 years, the temple is administered by Kallara Vadakkekkara NSS Karayogam and now plans to form a trust for the temple administration with active participation of the public; Formation of the trust is on the way. Renovation and resurraction work estimating one crore Rupees is going on.

Martha Mariam church is the ancestral home of Christian communities in Kerala and out side the State. It is in Meenachil Taluk, 22 kms north of Kottayam, on the eastern side of M.C. Road. Martha Mariam Church belongs to the diocese of Palai.Traditional beliefs, some legendary factors and historical associations contribute to the actual history of the church. It is believed that four Christian families - viz. Palli (Kalli), Kaliyakal (kalikavu), Sankarapuri and Pakalomattam from Palayur arrived at Ettumanoor and they moved to Kalikavu near Kuravilangad in the beginning of the second century. Kuruvilangad Church's Altar Fountain It is also believed that Our Lady appeared to a few children at Kuravilangad, who were tending their flock in the bushes. Our Lady asked them to build a church at the place from where a miraculous perpetual spring sprouted, a spring which exists even today. The children reported this matter to the elders and a church was built there. The present church was completed in 1960 when Rev. Fr. Thomas Manakattu was the parish priest. Kuravilangad has a unique place in the history of the Church of Malabar. The temporal administration of the church was conducted by Archdeacons who were very influential in the society. It is believed that the Archdeacons have been descended from the Pakalomattam family. The mortal remain of a few Archdeacons are still preserved at the Pakalomattam Chapel. Mar Alexander De Campo (Parampil Chandy Metran) is an illustrious son of Kuravilangad. He is the first indigenous bishop of the whole of India. He was ordained bishop on first February 1663 by Mar Sebastany a foreign bishop. Mar Alexander was staying at Kuravilangad till his death, 2nd January 1687. Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Nidhiri ( Nidhirikal Mani kathanar ) (1842- 1904) of Kuravilangad is a colossus in the history of the church in Kerala. He was an eminent educationalist, orator, organizer and a champion of ecumenism. He was the first editor of the first Malayalam daily "Deepika". As vicar of the Kuravilangad church, he started the St.Mary's English school for boys in 1894. The present president of India, K. R. Narayanan matriculated from this school. Fr. Jacob Panamkuzhakal (Panamkuzhakal Valliyachan) (1479-1543) was a very holy priest of Kuravilangad. Many people testify on the favours received through the intercession of Fr. Jacob. The Panamkuzhakal family celebrates the death anniversary of Fr. Jacob on 5th November every year."Moonnu Nompu" is the main feast of the church. Thousands of people from all over Kerala come to this three-days-feast. The ceremonial procession on the second day of the feast when the replica of the vessel used by prophet Jonah of the OT is taken out is the main attraction of the feast. The people of the Kadapoor locality has the privilege to carry the vessel during the procession.The statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary kept at the side altar is unique. It is carved from granite and it is believed that it was brought from North India. This is a miraculous statue and the devotees call this statue "Kuravilangad Muthiyamma".The granite cross in a single block of 48 feet in front of the church was erected around 1597. The devotes offer coconut oil in the lamps at the foot of the cross. On first Fridays devotees stand in queue from early morning to late in the evening to offer oil.An ancient bell with the engraving on Syriac "Mother of God" speaks loudly of the traditional faith of christian community here in Kerala. Three majestic bells that peal out the glory of Kuravilangad were brought from Germany in 1911.The eight tongued coconut scraper is a marvel in carpentry. It is carved out of a single block of wood. It was used to scrape coconuts for the "Monnu Nompu" feast. A good number of educational and charitable institutions do creditable service to the people of this locality. A century old Boy's Higher secondary school, half a century old girls secondary school and a first grade college, Devamatha speak volumes about the contribution of the church in the field of education. St.Vincent's Hospital run by congregation of the sisters of charity of St.Vincent De Paul in a land mark here is the field of medical service. About one hundred girls are taken care of at the Balabhavan run by the CMC sisters. Sisters from five convents render immense service to the parishioners. With about 2500 families and 12500 members, Kuravilangad is the ancient and the biggest parish in the diocese of Palai. This Marian pilgrim centre is a source of solace and hope to thousands of devotees who visit this church every year.

Mercy homes are Christian homes for the poor and orphans in India .This ministry is started by Pastor Daniel under the Voice of Gospel Ministry, a Charity mission in India.It was an awesome experience that pastor Daniel had on September 14th 2000 with God. He spoke to him very clearly to take an adventurous step to redeem the children in India who are thrown into the streets everyday leading them gradually into slavery, death and prostitution. According to the census, more than 100,000 children are aborted every year because of the major reason that the parents couldn't feed the newborns due to poverty. Thousands of children are killed and sold to sex trade and slavery because of debt and poverty. Millions of children are dying due to malnutrition and sickness. Millions still live in darkness and deception of Satan and witchcraft; as they are illiterates and ignorant. God's answer to these problems as revealed to Pastor Daniel is "Mercy Home."Mercy Home is a God-given project to minister to the needs of the under- privileged and uneducated orphans and the poor children. Mercy Home is the place where these children are offered proper care, good food ,education, shelter and spiritual upbringing with Christian character. This is not at all an orphanage but a home concept where children grow in love, peace and responsibility.Ten children are brought up in a home under the committed spiritual family (parents) .VOICE OF GOSPEL ministry meets all their physical and spiritual needs. The result of this endeavor is a generation of faithful, responsible and God-fearing men and women of God.An invitation for partnership to save the children in India. Through Mercy Homes.Pastor Daniel was born in India in a Bible believing missionary family in 1955 and had his secular and theological education in India. When God called him into the ministry of serving h hungry and the needy he obeyed the call and committed his life for the ministry in 1976.In 1975 pastor Daniel established Voice of Gospel ministry with an intention to reach the unreached in India with the gospel of compassion and love of Jesus through training, education and helping the poor and needy. Since 2001 Voice of Gospel has planted more than 49 Mercy Homes for the poor and destitute in India . Compared to the needs in India it is nothing.India is the home to the largest number of hungry people in the world. 233million hungry people live in India. There are 100,00000 child laborers in India. The average income they make is less than $5.In September 2000 while Pastor Daniel was in Boston MA, God spoke to him through a vision to take care of the children in India and world. The vision goes as follows: I saw trucks filled with the dead bodies of the children are being dumped into a pond. There were newborns and aborted kids from all nations. I saw one after another truck coming and unloading them into this pond. Then I heard The Lord speaking to me.These are my next generation church. These are my apostles, prophets, priests, evangelists, pastors, teachers, missionaries, statesmen, and diplomats. There is no one to care them and love them. I want you to save them and love them and raise them. I asked to the Lord," Lord how is this possible" The Lord said I will give you people and resources to open Mercy Homes. Take ten kids in to a home and put them under a pastor or Christian family and let them raise these children with responsibility and care. You support them for their food and education. I agreed.Mercy HomesMercy homes are not orphanages. It is a home concept where kids grow in the personal attention of the Pastor and his wife. There will be ten Kids in every home. Pastor and his wife will be the parents of these kids and take care of every matter. The kids help each other grow in love. The kids work together and grow with a role model in their life. The pastor will be supported with enough money to raise the kids. The kids can study as much as they can and will be trained in a trade like welding, carpentry, tailoring, refrigeration, plumbing, mason work, electrical works, automobile mechanism, cycle repairing and two wheeler mechanism those who want to do higher education in universities will also be helped for that. They leave the mercy Home only they are independent or married.