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.

Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple

The Kannur Muslim Jama-ath is a well-known charitable institution, which renders social, cultural and educational services to promote the welfare of the weaker sections of the society. Under the able leadership of Shri. O.Andhi Sahib, the then chairman of Kannur Municipal Council and statesman of that time along with certain Muslim believers, the Muslim Jama-ath came into existence in 1927. The philanthropic activities planned were very moble and impressive in those days. However, there were break down due to lack of activities till 1968. Though it was streamlined and modified under the guidance of Shri. Arackal Adi Raja Ahammed Koya Thangal during 1958 the result was far from satisfactory. Again by 1968 all out efforts have been made by stalwart like Justice V. Khalid Saheb, late Panakkat Aboobacker Saheb alongwith above named personalities and a new committee was formed under the Presidential Status of (Late) Haji O.K Mohammed Kunhi Sahib. This was really the Golden age beginning of the new era of the Muslim Jamath. This institute is registered under societies act and also under "WAKF ACT".The services of Kannur Muslim Jama-ath for the uplift of the poor sections of the society are done without looking up at caste and religion to promote the welfare of humanity. Such activities are done to maintain communal harmony and friendship enunciated by Islam.Islam is not a religion which is supposed to be concerned itself only with faith and worship and not with other spheres of life. Islam on the other hand in a complete system and way of life which provides guidance to every sphere of activities of individual and collective life.Holy QUR'AN remainds us of our duty towards our fellowmen and society. Sura "MAUN " and " MUNAFIQUN " teach us the virtue of social service. "Remembrance of God" includes every act of service and goodness, every kind thought and kind deed, for this is the service and sacrifice which god requires of us. If we fail in this the loss is our own, not any one else's, for its stunts our own spiritual growth, Moreover Islam is the only religion that has given social service the status of "Ibadat". Most of the people in our country especially Muslim are very poor. Thus following the principles enunciated by Holy QUR'AN, Kannur Muslim Jama-ath is doing unique service for the welfare and uplift of the poor and needy in the society.