Malayatoor and Kodanad villages are located on the opposite banks of the Periyar river with unspoiled and rustic views of the surroundings.

[5] Oral tradition says that while travelling through Malayattor, faced with hostile natives, he fled to the hilltop where he said to have remained in prayer and that he left his footprint on one of the rocks.

The Church was discovered by the Portuguese in 1501, and they record that upon arrival in the region in AD52, St Thomas converted King Chozha Perumal of Meliapor by dragging a large log ashore that elephants had been unable to move.

In the 4th century the Church of St Thomas was in decline, so large group of Christians from Edessa emigrated to Malabar.

They were led by Mar Joseph, Metropolitan of Edessa, and Knai Thoma, a merchant who had previously visited Malabar and found the Christian community there in need of support.

[6][7] The main festival of the Church on the first Sunday after Easter, which is when the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, occurs.

Pilgrims going up the hill call out incessantly "Ponnum Kurishu Muthappo, Ponmala Kayattom", meaning "''O Patriarch of the Golden Cross!

This Shrine was promoted to Archdiocesan status by Major Archbishop Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil on 4 September 1998.

Kurishumudi (Hill of the holy cross) is a mountain at Malayattoor, that has its fame as a place visited by St. Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ.

A well, situated near the ancient chapel at the top of the mount is believed to be the spot from where St. Thomas quenched his thirst during his time of prayer.

With its recent recognition by Vatican as an international pilgrim centre, this famous shrine at Malayattoor dedicated to St. Thomas would be extending its healing touch and spiritual bliss to more visitors and for those who come to enjoy its serenity.

Malayattoor Church is easily reachable from anywhere in Kerala and Cochin as the place is well connected by a wide network of roads.

There is a new bridge from Kodanad to Malayatoor which makes it easy for people coming from the eastern side like Kothamangalam, Munnar etc.