CATEGORY : PILGRIM TOURISM
The Maramon Convention,
one of the largest Christian convention in Asia, is held at Maramon,
Pathanamthitta, Kerala, Indiaannually during the month of February on the vast
sand-bed of the Pampa River next to the Kozhencherry Bridge. It is organised by
Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma
Church.
The origin and growth of
this annual get-together for one week at a stretch can be traced to the great
revival movement which gathered momentum during the reformation period in the
Syrian Church's of Kerala under the pioneering leadership of Abraham Malpan in
the latter part of 19th century. This brought about the transformation in
resurgence of the ancient apostolic Church's in Kerala founded by St. Thomas
the Apostle[1] approximately in AD 52.
First Convention
The first convention was
held for 10 days from 8 to 17 March 1895. The venue was the vast sand-bed of
thePampa River next to the Maramon church. The parishes in and around Maramon –
Kozhencherry helped in making a very large panthal (tent) to accommodate about
10,000 people. The main speakers were David and Wordsworth. On an average
10,000 to 15,000 people attended these meetings. On the last day almost 25,000
attended. There were no proper roads during those days. So nearby houses
accommodated the people from far away places. Some of them came in boats and
used them as their shelter.
Convention these days
Maramon Convention is
held for eight days during the first week of the Great Lent that usually falls
in February. The tent has a seating capacity in excess of 160,000 people. They
are seated on the dry sand bed. Old and weak are given sponsored-paid chairs to
sit on. There is also a smaller tent erected next to the larger one for people
with infants and with children below 5. All around the temporary tent there are
prayer and rest sheds and other tents for various purposes related to the
Church. Stalls for the sale of religious literature and other items, church
mission advertisement and funding offices and restaurants are allowed to
operate in the vicinity of the tent under the control of the Church
authorities.
Programmes
The Maramon Convention
is pre-eminently an assembly of Christians who once a year come here for
listening to the Word of God as read and expounded by Christian leaders from
all over India as well as abroad. Introduction and promotion of Church
activities and Preaching occupy the major part of the convention programme. In
the morning there will be separate Bible study classes for Men, women, youth
and children conducted by specially invited leaders. The mornings and
afternoons are public meetings and in the evening, meetings are for men only.
Most interesting aspect
of this convention is the eco-friendly discipline and civility shown by the
participants throughout the convention, which is almost becoming an inviolable
tradition. Police contingent is not required
in the convention premises to maintain law and order, a vigilant committee of
priests and elders circle around maintaining peace. In this 21st century women
aren't allowed in evening meetings.
Attractions
Christian Convention on
the vast sand-bed of the Pampa River
How to reach
Near the Kozhencherry
town.
Timing
During the first week of
the Great Lent that usually falls in February.