Your Travel Experience with Finest Journeys
Kottayam Churches and Philipkutty’s Farm Visit
After breakfast, you set out for Kottayam to visit two important churches that reflect the early Christian heritage of Kerala. The first stop is Cheriya Palli, built in 1579 and known for its well preserved structure featuring European architectural elements such as galleries, pillars and pediments. The interior includes murals created in both Oriental and Western styles, depicting a range of themes from biblical scenes to local traditions. You then continue to Valia Palli, established in 1550 by the Syrian Knanaya Christian community. The church is noted for its two Persian crosses carved in granite, each carrying inscriptions in the Pahalavi language, once used during the Sassanian period. One of the slabs also includes text in Syriac, adding further historical depth to the site. These features make the church an important reference point for those interested in the cultural links between Kerala and early Christian communities. Late morning, you travel to Philipkutty’s Farm for lunch and a guided visit. The farm sits on a small island in Vembanad Lake and follows traditional inter crop farming methods. A member of the family leads a walk around the fields, offering insight into cultivation below lake level. The visit concludes with a cooking demonstration and a Sadhya style lunch prepared with local ingredients.