Edathua church in Alappuzha gears up for annual festival

ALAPPUZHA: Elaborate arrangements have been made for the annual festival of St George Forane church at Edathua in Alappuzha. The festival will begin on Friday with the blessing of the flag by church vicar Fr Kurian Puthenpura and its hoisting at 7.15 am.
Vicar Fr Puthenpura said the festival would be attended by devotees from South Indian states and Sri Lanka. The church will conduct holy mass in Tamil from May 3 to 7 for the devotees from Tamil Nadu.
"The main procession carrying the statue of St George will be held on May 7 and hundreds of devotees from Tamil Nadu carrying the cross will participate in this procession. The statue will be taken out in a procession around the church and nearby areas on May 14, the concluding day of the festival,'' he said.
"As part of the festival, fireworks display will be held on May 5 and 6. Accommodation facilities have been arranged for devotees at schools in and around the church,'' he said.
KSRTC will conduct special services to the church from its various depots in the district from May 3. State Water Transport Department will also operate special boats for the people of Kuttanad on festival days.
The church authorities have already erected a pandal of 40,000 sq ft on the church ground for devotees and traders. The Kerala Water Authority and Edathua grama panchayat will ensure adequate supply of drinking water for devotees.