Holy week: Pilgrims carry the cross on a pilgrimage to St Thomas Church in Malayattoor, Kerala

Pilgrims taking the long journey as part of the Holy Week saw a large number of faithful from various parts of Kerala and outside undertaking a pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor, about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful undertake rigorous fasts and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the long journey to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims und 

Pilgrims resting along the long journey during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims helping fellow pilgrims along the long journey during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims helping fellow pilgrims along the long journey during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

A man carrying his child on his shoulders during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims at the St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor, about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims resting along the long journey during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

A child lighting candles at St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi. St Thomas after completing a long pilgrimage, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)

Pilgrims during the pilgrimage to St Thomas Church, situated at Malayattoor , about 47 km from Kochi after completing a long pilgrimage. St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, is believed to have founded the church located at a height of 609 m on the Malayattoor Hill. The faithful pilgrims undertake rigorous fasting and carry wooden crosses while undertaking the pilgrimage.(Albin Mathew | EPS)