THE PLACE DEVASAHAYAM WAS MARTYRED
- DEVASAHAYAM PILLAI MOUNT
The Panchayat Town Aralvaimozhi:
Aralvaimozhi, also known as Aramboly, is a small town located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, India. Situated near the Muppandal wind farm, which is the largest in Asia, the town benefits from the electricity generated by this farm. The wind farm is renowned for being a significant source of wind energy in Asia and has greatly improved the lives of the villagers in the area. Previously, Muppandal was a poverty-stricken village, but now it thrives due to the presence of this remarkable wind farm.
One of the notable attractions in Aralvaimozhi is the Catholic church situated on Kattadi Malai hill. This church holds historical significance as it is the place where Devasahayam Pillai, a martyr, was executed. The hill provides a picturesque backdrop to the church, making it a popular destination for visitors and pilgrims alike. The church serves as a reminder of the rich cultural and religious heritage of the town.
Aralvaimozhi is also known for its strategic location as one of the two mountain passes through the Western Ghats that lead to the west. Throughout history, the Chera dynasty and its successor kingdoms faced numerous invasions through these mountain passes. The name "Aral" originates from the fort constructed by the rulers of Venad and later maintained by the kingdom of Travancore to protect against invasions from the Tamil region. Although the fort was captured by the English East India Company in 1809, remnants of it can still be observed near the railway station, although unfortunately, they have been neglected by both the railway and archaeology departments.
Bl. Devasahayam's Martyrdom:
The excavation site they had chosen was located on the outskirts of the untamed Aralvaimozhi forest. It was an abandoned area that regular people couldn't easily reach. The specific location was known as kattadimalai, which meant the mountain where the winds never ceased. Surrounded by both large and small rocks, it used to be in the heart of the wild forest. However, things have changed now. The influx of pilgrims and the subsequent establishment of a village, predominantly inhabited by Roman Catholics, along with a church dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows and a school operated by the Sisters of St. Anne of Tiruchirapalli, have completely transformed the appearance of the place.
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This was the place where he was given time to pray before his execution.
He prayed for a quarter of an hour, commending himself to God. |
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| After his Prayers the guards made him stand on this medium size hillock |
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| The Servant of God stood here ready to give his life for the faith in Christ |
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After he was shot the Martyr fell down crying aloud
“Jesus, save me” onto this rock. |
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| This is the place where the Body of Martyr Devasahayam Pillai was lying. |
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| This piece of stone fell down from the hill top by the time he was shot. |
The Bell Rock or The Miracle Stone
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Martyr Devasahayam Pillai was shot dead for christ on 14th January 1752 A.D.
As he died a Big piece of stone rolled down from the huge rock on top of this
hill producing the sound of a church bell. This was the Miraculous death bell
rung by god through nature proclaiming his martyrdom to the world.
It rings like a bell even today.
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The spot on which the body of the martyr rolled down and
lay for a night or two and the branch of the banyan tree which
provided cool shadow to the dead body. |
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| Picture at the Entrance wall of the church |
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Martyr Devasahayam Pillai's Statue with
Relic found inside the Church Alter |
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| A Close-up Look at the Martyr's Relic |
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| Our Lady of Sorrows Church, kattadimalai |
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| Front view of the church |
