One of the best places to visit near Cherai is a historical church. Believed to be the first church in India, Kottakkavu Mar Thoma Syro Malabar church was established by St Thomas the apostle of Christ in 52 AD. It is one of the seven churches that he established in India. The Kottakkavu pond where St Thomas baptized the Jews who were already settled in Kerala is another tourist attraction.
In the 9th century AD, two bishops from Persia, Mar Sabor, and Mar Proth visited the church and founded a Persian cross here. The Kottakkavu Sliba, as the cross engraved on granite stone, is still preserved here. Pilgrims from far and wide come to pray at the church and see the holy relic. It would be a refreshing stop on your Cherai tour.
