Amala Ashram, Thopramkudy

Mr. John Puthiyakunnel, popularly known as “Thadiyachan” who is a close relative of our Br. Francis Dominic had constructed a spacious building in view of opening a senior citizens resort at Thopramkudy. Due to various reasons he had to give up the project and the building remained vacant for a few years. Mean while the lord inspired Br. Francis Dominic to approach Thadiyachan to get the land and building to be used as a Retreat Center. We bought the property measuring 1.45 acres at a substantially subsidized price. On 28 June 2001 His Excellency Mar George Punnakkotil blessed the Retreat Center and thereafter Br.Francis Dominic used to conduct retreats here. It proved to be a source of spiritual solace to countless people in the High ranges of Kerala. In view of opening an Ashram an adjacent plot of land measuring 3.41 acres was purchased in the year 2001. On 17th Nov. 2002, Br. John Vazhappanadiyil was appointed the director of this center with Brs. Antony Snehadas and Varghese Kottukappally as members of the Ashram. The blessing and the formal inauguration of the new ashram was held on 2nd October 2003. His Excellency Mar Mathew Anikuzhikattil the eparchial bishop of Idukki officiated at the function. However the retreat programmes could not be continued for long. 50 cents of land was sold back to Mr. John Puthiyakunnel in the year 2009. After the provincial chapter of 2011 attempts are being made to repair and extend the building and re-start the retreat programmes once again.