Kurisumala Monastery (also known as Kurisumala Ashram) and Vagamon Kurisumala are two top tourist as well as pilgrim centers in Kerala. Being set in the green and most serene nature at Vagamon which is one among the most popular and world renowned tourist destinations in Kerala, Vagamon Kurisumala Ashram is considered as one of the best pilgrim centers in Kerala where the Christian devotees can lead a meditative and reflexive life. The monastery belongs to the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

Kurisumala Monastery Vagamon is located on the Erattupetta-Elappara road. The Ashram was found in 1958 and since then it has been one among the top pilgrim centers in Kerala.

Vagamon Kurisumala (a combined word of ‘Kurisu’ and ‘Mala’ two words which mean cross and mountain respectively) is very close to Vagamon Ashram. Hence Vagamon Kurisumala Ashram is widely visited by all the devotees who come to Vagamon for climbing up the Kurisumala, a rocky mountain which resembles ‘Calvary.’

Taking up the cross and reciting the Way of The Cross, devotees climb up the mountain both as a penance for sins and as a way to share the sufferings of Christ. Kurisumala Ashram lies at the foot of Kurisumala which lies about 4000 ft. above the sea level.

The monastery was founded by Fr. Francis Mahieu, a Belgian monk who was invited by the Bishop of Thiruvalla. He then later accepted the name Francis Acharya. Bede Griffiths assisted him to found Kurisumala Ashram.

The Ashram or monastery is a community of spiritual seekers who have dedicated their lives to God and for prayers.

The community offers Holy Mass, adopting the chants and various ceremonies from Hinduism. Apart from the cows’ Moo, the monastery is very silent. The cow farm also attracts the pilgrims and tourists alike.



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