The Arthunkal Feast and the Vettukad Festival are famous church festivals of which state?

The Arthunkal Feast and the Vettukad Festival are two of the most famous church festivals of Kerala, which has one of the oldest Christian communities in the world.

The Arthunkal Feast is held every January at St. Andrew's Basilica (popularly known as the Arthunkal Church) in Arthunkal, in the Alappuzha district. The feast honours St. Sebastian, and it is celebrated for about two weeks, with its main days around 20 January, St. Sebastian's feast day. The church was originally built by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century. During the feast, a statue of St. Sebastian is taken out in a grand procession to the beach and back. Pilgrims of all religions visit the church, and many crawl on their knees from the beach to the church to fulfil vows. Many devotees regard St. Sebastian as a protector against disease and danger.

The Vettukad Festival is held at the Madre de Deus Church at Vettukad, near Thiruvananthapuram, in November. It celebrates the Feast of Christ the King, and lakhs of devotees from different religions attend it. The church is believed to have been founded by St. Francis Xavier in the 16th century.

Christianity in Kerala is traditionally believed to have begun with the arrival of St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, at Kodungallur (Muziris) in 52 CE. He is believed to have founded seven churches in Kerala. The Christians of Kerala, known as Syrian Christians or St. Thomas Christians, have their own ancient traditions, and Kerala also has large Latin Catholic and Protestant communities. Other important church festivals of Kerala include the festivals of the Edathua church and the Malayattoor church (associated with St. Thomas).

Why not the other options?

• ✗Mizoram is a largely Christian state, known for Christmas and Chapchar Kut.
• ✗Puducherry has French-era churches, such as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
• ✗Nagaland is a largely Christian state, known for the Hornbill Festival.