Arthumkal Church is famous for the St.
Sebastian's church which is situated south west of Cherthala town 22 Kms north
of Alappuzha. The famous Arthumkal Perunal is held in January every year.
Catholics from all parts of the state participate in the feast of St.
Sebastian. St. Sebastian's Aruthunkal:
One of the most important pilgrim centres of the Christians in Kerala, popularly
known as St. Sebastian Church, 22 kms. north of Alleppey.This church was
established by Portuguese missionaries, which is near Sherthallai. The feast of
St. Sebastian is held here every January. A well-known Christian pilgrim centre
in Alappuzha coast. The 11-day festival of St.Sebastian is celebrated in the
second week of January. To decongest the festival days, a low profile festival,
Ettamperunal, is being celebrated on the 8th day after the main festival. A
peculiar votive of the church is Urulu nercha (an offering of a devotee by
crawling on the ground). Devotees crawl from the church premise to the local
beach. Material offerings of the festival include gold and silver replicas of
human limbs, bows and arrows. The festival has also chipped in for communal
amity. On January 18, two days left for the main festival, thousands of
Sabarimala pilgrims, while returning home, bathe from the church tank and pay
homage to St. Sebastian.
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