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Holy Cross Shrine
Mapranam Thrissur is one of the few churches in Asia, which has received
the relic of Holy Cross, the relic of Holy Blood of the face of Jesus
Christ, the relic of the Holy Cloth used by Veronica to wipe the face of
Jesus Christ and the relic of Holy Blood of the sacred heart of Jesus
Christ; all certified as authentic through an order of Pope Leo XIII.
Founded in A.D. 928, it is one of the oldest churches in Kerala, India.
The pilgrim centre
was recently renovated and is part of Irinjalakuda diocese. The façade
of the church reflects structural resemblances of three major religions
in India – Christianity, Hinduism and Islam
The offering of
candles is the main ritual here and the annual ceremony is called
‘Thirithelikkal’ (huge candle Lighting – 0.25 to 300 kg). The shrine has
achieved one Guinness record and two Limca records relating to candles.
The candle installed in the Church has a weight of 1079 kg and a height
of 22 ft. The main feast of the shrine is the Exaltation of Cross,
celebrated every year from September 12 to 15. The shrine has received
recognitions from State and Central governments and from church bodies 
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