Manjinikkara Dayara Church

Perched on a verdant hill in Omallur, Pathanamthitta district, Manjinikkara Dayara Church ranks among Kerala’s most venerated pilgrimage centres, particularly for Syrian Christians. Founded by Mor Yulius Elias Qoro, the monastery‑church gained everlasting sanctity and reverence when Mor Ignatius Elias III, the Holy Patriarch of Antioch, arrived in 1931, spent his final days here, and entered eternal rest in February 1932.
His simple yet majestic tomb lies just behind the ornate altar, where icons of the saint and of Christ inspire unbroken prayer. Every February the faithful gather for Orma Perunnal, a ten‑day memorial festival honouring the patriarch’s life and witness. Processions wind up the hillside, choirs chant Syriac hymns, and invited archbishops lead solemn liturgies, blessing thousands of assembled devotees.

Pilgrims, many walking barefoot from distant parishes, speak of a palpable tranquillity that pervades the monastery’s groves and stone pathways. They queue reverently at the patriarch’s tomb, seeking healing, guidance, and renewed faith before continuing towards the shrine’s panoramic viewpoint. As the only resting place of an Antiochian Patriarch in Malankara, Manjinikkara Dayara remains a luminous beacon of unity, heritage, and hope.

🚩 How To Reach

By Road: Omallur, about 550 m

Nearest Railway Station: Chengannur Railway Station, about 24 km | Thiruvalla Railway Station, about 30 km

Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport, about 106 km

🕒 Visiting Hours

-> The church is open daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

-> The best time to visit is during the Orma Perunnal Festival in early February. 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM

☎️ Official Contacts

Address: Manjinikkara Dayara (Mor Ignatius Dayro) Omallur, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala – 689647

Phone: +91 468 235 2292