Kurisumala Ashram is at the heart of the Sahya Mountains,
which run parallel to India's south west coast.It is a famous Christian Pilgrim
center located at a distance of 60kms from Kottayam.
Kurisumala Ashram is a community of spiritual seekers who
have become one in the spirit. The spiritual light of Kurisumala is the
Acharya, the leader of seekers. The history of Kurisumala Ashram is the history
of Acharya. It was in 1955 that John, at baptism, a Belgian by birth, but
brother Francis as a Cistercian monk, and an Indian citizen since 1968, reached
Kerala. He was prompted by an inner call, a call to a new life.
During the holy week, thousands of devotees from far and
near converge here to climb this holy hill, carrying small wooden crosses. At
the peak of the hill, there is a Jewish monastery also known as Kurisumala
Ashramam, which has a small community of ascetics who follow Christian faith
but combines with it the Indian spiritual traditions and Gandhian thoughts.
On the eastern side of the hill is Muruganmala housing a
rock cut temple dedicated to Murugan (son of Lord Shiva). The road to
Kurisumala offers some real sightseeing opportunities in a European model house
and the beautiful artificial lake, both designed by the renowned architect,
Laurie Baker.
How to Reach:
Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport
