Thevalakkara

Thevalakkara is a village in the Kollam district of the state of Kerala, India. Formerly known as Quilon, it is one of the 14 districts of Kerala.SituationThe district has a long coastline, a major Arabian Sea seaport and the inland Ashtamudi Lake while Kollam is also the capital of Kerala's cashew industry. Plains, mountains, lakes, lagoons and backwaters, forests, farmland and rivers make up the topography of the district. The area historically had trading relationships with Phoenicia and Ancient Rome. About 30 percent of the district is covered by Ashtamudi Lake, making it a gateway to the Kerala backwaters. The Thevalakara and Thekkumbagam panchayats established the ancient korekini ("sea pointed inland") port of Tarsish in 1500 BC. The kadappa at Thevalakara is where ship masts (kadappa) were made for centuries.Thevalakkara MarthaMariam Orthodox Syrian Church(Thevalakkara Pally)Tomb of Mar Abo is in Thevalakkara Valiyapally.It is also known as Mar Abo Pilgrim church..One of oldest syrian church in keralaMartha Mariam Orthodox Syrian Church of Thevalakkara is one of the leading churches under Malankara sabha. It is situated in Karunagapally Taluk within Kollam district. Church is located five kilometers east of Chavara Kuttivattom junction and six kilometers towards west of Sasthamkotta. The beautiful Ashtamudi lake south of Thevalakkara flows towards Arabian sea. In the first century, St. Thomas the apostle, had erected Tharissa church at Kollam and later this was wrecked by strong sea waves. Those temporality living near the church immigrated towards Thevalakkara and constructed this holy church. By A.D. 4th century church was renovated and remained in existence till 17 centuries before final renovation done in 1971 under His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews I. Church consecration was performed in the presence of His Grace Mar Philexinos Metropolitan of Thumpamon, His Grace Mathew Mar Koorilose Metropolitan of Kollam, church vicar's Rev. Fr. K Koshy Vaidyan Cor-Episcopa and Rev. Fr. K M Koshy Vaidyan. Martha Mariam Orthodox Syrian Church at Thevalakkara is one of the foremost ancient churches in Kollam diocese and revered pilgrim centre of Malankara sabha.