Perumanoor Parish Is Proud As INS Vikrant Dedicates It To The Nation

Kochi: The parish community of Perumanur St. George of Varapuzha Archdiocese is very happy and proud when the Prime Minister handed over the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant which was built locally by Kochi Shipyard to the nation. The Cochin Shipyard that we see today became a reality when the Varavukattu Kurishupalli (now Ambikapuram Palli in Panampilly Nagar) under the ancient Perumanur Parish and the graveyard where the bones and flesh of the ancestors were dissolved were given away many years ago.

In 1959, experts looking for a place in Kochi to set up the country's second shipyard had only one person to recommend -- Perumanur. This is due to its proximity to the heart of the city along the waterfront with proximity to the port and naval headquarters. 100 acres were required. About 300 families have to evacuate. The Vyakulamata Church, popularly known as Varuvukat Church, a place of worship for around 100 families, and its cemetery should be replaced. This church under the Perumanur Saint George church was estimated to be 350 years old by the believers.

Monsignor Dr. Alex, who was the vicar at that time, convinced the believers in the north by telling them the importance of establishing the shipyard. The believers decided to give up the church and the cemetery with full consent. Land acquisition started in 1960, but the construction of the shipyard was again delayed. On 15 September 1970, after the land acquisition process was completed, the foundation stone of the new church was laid on the east side of MG Road. A new church was blessed here on 16th January 1972, later known as Ambikapuram. It was after four months that the shipyard was laid to stone -- on April 29, 1972.

It is also history that the mortal remains were placed in boxes from the pits where their ancestors were buried and buried in the cemetery of Ambikapuram, the new church. Local residents say that the shipyard, established in the historical soil of the great sacrifice that a people was ready to endure for the progress of the country and the employment opportunities of the people, is very happy and proud to be a part of it as it marks another history.

This is also the time when Shipyard and Ambikapuram Church are celebrating golden jubilee. The temple of Holy Mother Vyakulamatha at Ambikapuram was built in place of Varuvukattu Kurishupalli under Perumanur Parish when Kochi Shipyard was ceded. Even today this temple is under Perumanur Parish.