Kuravilangad
Kuravilangad (in Malayalam : കുറവിലങ്ങാട്) refers to a town located in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. The town is situated in the Meenachil Taluk, about 22 km north ofKottayam, and is located near the town of Ettumanoor and places like Kalathoor, Kalikave,Vempally, Marangattupally, Kurianad, Monippally, Elackad and Kanjirathanam. Kalathoor is located 6 km from Kuravilangad.
The church at Kuravilangad was constructed in the third century, just one hundred years before Constantine declared Christianity as the official religion in the Roman Empire.
The land is blessed by the esteemed presence of St. Mary’s Forane Church, which was built in 105 AD. It is believed, Mother Mary's first appearance in the world, was in Kuravilangad. 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 the events to the elders and a church was built there. The church is noted for its old bell, which contains inscriptions belonging to some unknown script. Another significant artifact is a model of a ship made from wood
St. Mary's Parish at Kuravilangad tried its level best to add splendor to Moonnu Nompu(three-day lent) functions during Lent. A forty feet wooden ship, beautifully built with prow, stern, masts and rigging, having on one side an effigy of Jonah being vomited by the fish as per the orders of the Lord, and on the deck wooden mariners in western costume, has been for centuries the centre of attraction in the mid-day procession. Amidst the surging mass of humanity the spectacle makes one imagine that the sea is furious, the waves are beating against the sides of the ship and violent winds rip the sails out of control. The people of the Kadappoor (കടപ്പൂര്) locality has the privilege to carry the vessel during the procession. This privilege is start from the 400 AD. The festival is marked by inter-religious harmony and mutual cooperation, as the inhabitants of the neighboring villages participate in the festivities. Nowadays, the Ettu nompu [eight days of lent] is also observed.
Kuravilangad is the local hub of education, which caters education to students from both kottayam and Ernakulam District. Notable educational institutes include Deva Matha College ,St Marys's HS, St. Marys Girls High School The 10th President of India,Kocheril R. Narayanan matriculated from St. Mary's High School, Kuravilangad (1936–38).
