Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Tourism is all set to tap the rich Christian heritage in the state to lure more international travellers, religious scholars, historians and pilgrims from western countries.
The plan is to develop digital content on Christianity in Kerala and design and promote niche tourism. Having earned the government’s approval for the project estimated at Rs 49.45 lakh, the tourism department has anointed its IT solution provider to develop the digital content. This includes five short movies and a microsite with 225 web pages and 200 photographs.
“Kerala has great potential in promoting tourism by showcasing both Christian and Islamic traditions. Though similar proposals got rejected earlier, repeated demand from the industry for such tourism circuits and packages is finally being heard,” said an official.
The digital content on Christianity in Kerala is expected to be developed by March next year.The proposed short films, with a duration of four to five minutes each, will cover various aspects of Christianity in Kerala, including its history, church architecture, mural paintings, pilgrim centres, pilgrimages, festivals, art forms, literature, cuisine, costume and lifestyle.
“Christianity in Kerala is as old as Christianity itself. We have here Ezhara Pallis (seven and a half churches), established by St Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus, at Kodungallur, Palayoor, Kottakkavu, Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Nilakkal and Thiruvithamcode (half church),” the proposal points out.
The films will also highlight several museums showcasing the history of Christianity in Kerala, including Indo-Portugese museum, Fort Kochi, Sampaloor church, Thrissur, Poomkav Church, Alappuzha, Orthodox church Niranam and Syro-Malabar church museum at Kakkanad. Besides, many churches have frescos or mural paintings, both in Indian and western style, and those famous for mural paintings are located at Akapparambu, Kanjoor, Cheppad, Aruvithura and Paliakkara.
Other features to be filmed include unique festivals like Kappalottam in Kuravilangadu church, pilgrim centres (Malayattoor, Parumala, Kudamaloor, Bharananganam), pilgrimages and conventions (Mannarkadu Perunal, Manjinekkara pilgrimage, Vettukadu Perunnal, Edathua Perunnal, Maramon conventions) and art forms (Chavittu Natakom, Margam Kali, Parichamuttu Kali).
Short movies will be uploaded in Kerala Tourism’s YouTube channel and integrated into Kerala Tourism website. Besides movies, a microsite with original photographs will be developed. The microsite will have least 225 webpages and 200 photographs.
source: Times Of India