Eparchy of Mavelikara

The Mavelikara diocese belongs to the Syro Malankara Catholic Church. The eparchy of Mavelikara comprises civil districts of Alappuzha, Kollam and Pathanamthitta in Kerala state.

The diocesan headquarters is at Punnamoodu, near Mavelikkara, which 94 kilometers north east of Thiruvannathapuram, the state capital.

Language

Malayalam, Tamil and English are in use in the territory.

History

Mavelikara is the sixth eparchy of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and the first eparchy constituted by the decree of major archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios Catholicos on Jan. 1, 2007, and was inaugurated on Feb. 16, 2007. He appointed Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios as the first metropolitan of the new eparchy. He was enthroned on Feb. 16, 2007.

Transportation

The territory is well-connected with roads and railway. The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram.

Climate

Mavelikara diocese has a warm climate. The rainy season (south west monsoon) begins in June and lasts up to September. The North West monsoon brings light rainfall from October to December. The average annual rainfall is about 229 cm. The maximum temperature is 35 degrees Celsius.

Economy

The economy of Mavelikara diocese is mainly based on agriculture and small-scale industries. Industries.

Religion

Mavelikara was once part of the principality of Onattukara and has been a center of religious harmony for several centuries. Mavelikara is one of the rare places in Kerala where one can find the statue of “Buddha in Seated Position,” dating back to the 9th century AD. Hindus are the majority in the area.