Thousands offer Thamukku

TRIPUNITHURA:Thousands of faithful offered Thamukku (prepared from plantain, rice powder, jaggery, coconut and cardamom) at St George Jacobite Syrian Cathedral on Friday. The annual festival of this Georgian pilgrim centre started on Thursday with holy flag hoisting.On Friday morning, Holy Mass was held under the chief priesthood of Knanaya Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Ivanios. From morning onwards devotees began to flow to the cathedral with the Thamukku prepared in their houses.  Evening prayers were held under the chief priesthood of Kochi Diocese Metropolitan Joseph Mar Gregorios.Thamukku, the unique offering, was also prepared in the church using nearly 3,000 kilos of plantain, 900 kilos of roasted rice powder, 700 kilos of jaggery and 2,000 coconuts. The faithful gathered in the church jointly prepared the Thamukku. The rituals of the festival were held under the supervisions of Fr Shammy John  Eramangalathu, Fr Roy Paul Vettukaattil and Fr Varghese Pulayath. The festival will conclude with evening prayers and procession on Saturday.