Maramon Convention

THE MARAMON CONVENTION AT KOZHENCHERRY

Kozhencherry is situated 13 km from Pathanamthitta on the banks of the river Pamba. The place is famous for the MARAMON CONVENTION, the biggest religious gathering of Christians in Asia, held in February-March on the banks of the river Pamba. Christians from all over India assemble here to listen to the gospels read and expounded by scholars of Christianity drawn from India and abroad.

For centuries, it has been recognized as a centre of Christian culture and influence. Maramon is also famous as the birthplace of Palakkunnathy Abraham Maplah, leader of the reformation in the Syrian Church of Malabar, in the 19th century.
The Maramon Convention is an offshoot of the spiritual awakening that had taken place in the Malankara Church towards the middle of the last century. The message being delivered at the convention is aimed at the religious uplift of the human beings through Jesus Christ. That is why, the gathering on the sandbanks of the river Pumpa belongs to all walks of life, regardless of caste, creed or religion.

The messages at the convention help solidify human relationship and take up social responsibilities in a new vigour and vitality. It shows that vicious thinking and behaviour could be uprooted from human activities and love, affection and purity of life could be followed in one’s life.

The Maramon Convention is held every year during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the river Pampa, below the Kozhencherry Bridge. About a week before the Convention, the sandbed becomes a scene of great activity. Christians from the parishes around Maramon are seen carrying Cadjan leaves and bamboo poles and other materials for erecting the convention pandal. The pandal has a seating capacity of about fifty thousand. All round the pandal are temporary sheds and tents for various purposes furthering the objects of the Convention. Stalls for the sale of religious literature, church offices and restaurants are allowed to operate in the vicinity of the pandal under the strict control of the authorities. Long valloms (boats) with canopies, stored with provisions for the use of families from distant places lie anchored in the river.

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 leaders of Christian thought, from all over India as well as abroad. Preaching and Bible studies occupy the major part of the conference programme. Along with the religious reading and discourse, singing of hymns and praying for the sick and needy are also held.

As part of the ecumenical movement, special meetings are arranged against drug and alcohol addiction and corruption. The participants of these special meetings gain a spiritual rejuvenation, capable of fighting against the evils of society. So as to enable the youth and the children to lead a value based life, special sessions are convened. Similarly the role of women in the Church is given more importance and special programmes are arranged for them. Because of its role in social solidarity, people from all religions attend the convention. The people in and around Maramon extend solidarity and hospitality to the people coming from far off places.
The Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association is the organizer of the convention. The sanctity of the convention has been upheld by one and all for the last 103 years.

Christians from all over India flock here to listen to the gospels read and expounded by scholars of Christianity drawn from India and abroad.