Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Christ Bhavan Retreat Centre (Albutha Matha Alayam), Thoothoor, Kanyakumari

Christ Bhavan Retreat Centre (Albutha Matha Alayam), Thoothoor, Kanyakumari
Christ Bhavan Retreat Centre is located at Thoothoor Village in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. It is also called as Albutha Matha Alayam. The Catholic Church plays a conspicuous role in the day-to-day life of the fishermen of Thoothoor village. The conversion of the Hindu fishermen of this village may be traced back to A.D. 1544. The event cumulated in the works of St. Francis Xavier, who is said to have converted 10,000 Mukkuva fishermen living in thirteen villages along the coast (from Pallam to Poovar - Neerody, Marthandanthurai, Vallavilai, Eraviputhenthurai, Thoothoor, Poothurai, Thengapattanam, Enayam, Midalam, Vaniyakudy, Colachel, Kadiapattanam, Muttom and Pallam) in December 1544.

Immediately after this conversion, Hindu temples and idols which had been built earlier were removed and replaced with a cross and thatches for worship. In due course, they were converted into churches. In 1600, the Thoothoor Parish Church was brought under the Padroado. Subsequently, this Parish came under the Diocese of Cochin. In 1838, St. Thomas Church, Thoothoor and other adjacent coastal Churches from Pallithura to Erayumanthurai were brought under the Diocese of Varapuzha. This unification brought the Padroado–Propaganda dispute to a crucial stage.
Thoothoor is a coastal village is situated on the Arabian Sea coast. It is the headquarters of Thoothoor panchayat, consisting of five villages, namely Thoothoor, Chinnathurai, Eraviputhenthurai, Poothurai and Erayumanthurai. These five villages together are commonly just called Thoothooor. Thoothoor is geographically located in Vilavancode Taluk, Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu India.
The Church is located adjacent Thoothoor Bus Stand. Thoothoor is located at about 15 Kms from Marthandam, 14 Kms from Vilavancode, 22 Kms from Colachel, 20 Kms from Thiruvattaru, 37 Kms from Nagercoil, 60 Kms from Kanyakumari, 13 Kms from Kuzhithurai, 25 Kms from Eraniel and 46 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kuzhithurai and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.