Maramon Convention
The Maramon Convention is a Christian convention held at Maramon, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
annually during the month of February on the vast sand-bed of the Pampa River next to the Kozhencherry Bridge. It is organized by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church.
The origin and growth of this annual get together for one week at a stretch can be traced to the great revival movement which gathered momentum along with the reformation in the ancient Syrian Church of Malabar under the pioneering leadership of Abraham Malpan. This brought about the resurgence of the ancient apostolic Church in Kerala founded by St.Thomas the Apostle of Jesus Christ, believed to be in AD 52.
Maramon Convention is held for eight days during the first week of the Great Lent that usually falls in February. The tent has a seating capacity in excess of 150,000 people. They are seated on the dry sand bed. Old and weak are given chairs to sit on. There is also a smaller tent erected next to the larger one for people with infants and with children below 5. All around the
tent there are temporary sheds and tents for various purposes related to the Convention. Stalls for the sale of religious literature, church offices and restaurants are allowed to operate in
the vicinity of the tent under the strict control of the Church authorities.