Mayyanad

St. Jacob’s Church

Mayyanad can rightly claim an ancient heritage. Ships would sail through the estuary in Paravoor and anchor in the backwaters of Mukkam, a hamlet of fishermen. Buddhist Vihars were here in the sixth century. Sasthamkovil was a Buddhist Vihar founded in the seventh century. The Aryan invasion destroyed the Buddhist Vihars in Mayyanad. The temple in Umayanallore is one of the ancient Hindu temples in the State. Paravoor in the vicinity was an ancient port. It became an easy entry point for Christians from other parts of India and outside. Christians from Kollam migrated to Mayyanad making it a centre of an ancient and vibrant Christian com- munity who put up the first Church here. Mayyanad was erected a parish in 1527. The Church blessed in 1936 is now being reconstructed. The renaissance under the aegis of Sree Narayana Guru had a huge impact in Mayyanad. The people of Mayanad were pioneers in exploring the fortunes in other countries by seeking employment in Malaysia and England. Franciscan Immaculan Sisters have a convent here and render spiritual service to the people.