Manarcad Ettunombu Private Trip

The eight-day lent at Manarcad St Mary's Cathedral — prayers, the Rasa procession of umbrellas and crosses, and the opening of the holy portrait. Pick your day; your driver waits. Event dates: 1–8 Sep 2027 · Rasa 6 Sep (Dates fixed each year — confirm the day's programme with the cathedral).

Itinerary

• 9:00 AM — Pickup
  Home, hotel, Kottayam station, KSRTC stand or Cochin Airport.
• 9:30 AM — Drop near Manarcad
  9 km east of Kottayam; we drop where the police allow. (Walk the last stretch)
• Morning — Holy Qurbana & prayers
  Prayers and preaching through the day. (Very crowded)
• 6 Sep · 2 PM — Rasa procession
  Umbrellas, gold and silver crosses and bands through the town. (On 6 Sep only)
• 7 Sep — Nadathurakkal
  The covered portrait of Mary and the Child is opened for darshan. (On 7 Sep · main moment)
• 7:00 PM — Home
  Pickup at the meeting point; back home, to your hotel or the station.

Good to know

• ⛪ Ettunombu: The eight-day lent before the feast of Mary's birth on 8 September, at St Mary's Jacobite Syrian Cathedral, Manarcad. Pilgrims of every church come; many keep the fast and stay in the church through the eight days.
• 🚧 Roads & crowds: Police close roads around the venue on the main days. Your driver drops you at the nearest open point and you walk the last stretch. Agree a meeting point and time with the driver before you get out — phone networks jam in big crowds.
• 📅 Dates: 1–8 September 2027: Rasa procession on 6 September at 2 PM; the portrait opens on 7 September; feast and pachor nercha on 8 September. We confirm the programme before your trip.
• 🙏 Manners: Shoulders and knees covered; quiet in the cathedral. Keep clear of the procession; never push into the umbrellas or crosses.

Included

• Private vehicle and driver for the day
• Door-to-door, in Kottayam or from your city
• Driver waits through the event — no waiting charge
• Driver bata (+ night allowance on late or 2-day trips)

Not included

• Food and stay
• Tolls and parking
• Offerings and nercha

What to carry

• Modest clothes, easy footwear
• Umbrella and water
• Cash for offerings and snacks
• Phone, charged, with our number saved

Cancellations follow our cancellation & refund policy.

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