The Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association (MTEA) attached to the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the 124th Maramon Convention, billed as the largest week-long annual Christian religious congregation in Asia, beginning on the Pampa riverbed at Maramon, near Kozhencherry, on Sunday.
The MTEA, in association with local parishes of the Church, has constructed a large thatched shed to accommodate one lakh people at the traditional venue. Various government departments have also made arrangement for the smooth conduct of the annual meet.
The Police, Health, Fire and Rescue Services Departments and the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation have set up temporary offices at Maramon and Kozhencherry. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will operate special services to Maramon from Thiruvalla, Mallappally, Pathanamthitta, Pandalam, Chengannur, Adoor and Ranni from February 10 to 17. All KSRTC buses will stop at Nedumprayar Junction during the convention period.
Medical care unit
The Health Department has deployed a mobile medical care unit at Kozhencherry. The Kerala State Electricity Board has taken steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the convention venue and the Kerala Water Authority for uninterrupted supply of drinking water.
Joseph Mar Thoma, Metropolitan of Mar Thoma Church, will inaugurate the meet at 2.30 p.m. on Sunday. An ecumenical meet will be held on Wednesday and the week-long meet will end on February 17.