Holy Magi Forane Church, Muvattupuzha

This Syro-Malabar Catholic forane church, dedicated to the Holy Magi, stands in the middle of Muvattupuzha, Kerala, under the eparchy of Kothamangalam. Its origin is a small act of help. In the early 19th century the king's administrators, returning south by manchal with their foot soldiers, reached Muvattupuzha as darkness fell, with too few lamps to go on to their inn at Koothattukulam. Geevarghese Kathanar of the Pittapillil family at Arakuzha arranged torches of dry coconut leaves for them.

Out of gratitude, an officer spoke of him to the king, who honoured him at the palace with a vadi and pidi and gave land for a church. A little chapel opened on 27 July 1820, and repairs and renewals over time brought the church to its present size. Its congregation grew from local Christians of Arakuzha and Mylakompu along with Syrian Christian settlers from places such as Palai and Mannathoor. Its forane now covers eight parishes.