Known as the ‘Georgian Pilgrim Centre of the East,’ the Puthuppally Perunnal is a splendid two-day event celebrated with grandeur and reverence at the St. George Orthodox Church in Puthuppally, Kottayam district. This event, enriched with traditional prayers and rituals, elevates the spiritual atmosphere, drawing thousands of devotees from near and far.

The Puthuppally Church, originally constructed as a kochu pally (chapel) dedicated to St. Mary in 1557, stands as one of the oldest and most esteemed churches in the Malankara Orthodox Church. The festival festivities kick off with the hoisting of the festival flag-mast ten days prior. Various rituals, including Virakideel (bringing of firewood to the church), vechoottu (a ceremonial feast), and adya choroonu (a ritual where children receive their first rice feed by priests), are integral to the celebrations.

A highlight of the festival is the grand procession, known as 'raza,' where the holy golden cross is carried from the church to the nearby Puthuppally junction. This procession is a vibrant display, featuring brightly colored ceremonial umbrellas, orchestras, and holy crosses made of wood, silver, and gold, creating a spectacular visual feast for attendees.

The St. George Orthodox Church, also referred to as Puthuppally Pally, traces its origins back to 1557. This ancient church has undergone several renovations, with the most recent in 2003, transforming it into a composite shrine that includes the original St. George's Church along with chapels dedicated to St. Mary and St. Behanan. The church is situated on the eastern bank of the Kodoorar rivulet and near the Puthuppally-Changanacherry road.

The feast of St. Sebastian, which began in 1647, is another significant event at this church. The festival kicks off on January 19th with a flag-hoisting ceremony, followed by a grand procession featuring the statue of St. Sebastian. This procession is marked by dazzling fireworks, performances by school bands, and the display of flags, gold-brass-silver wooden crosses, aalavattam, venchamaram, thazhikakudam, theevetti, and beaded ornate umbrellas, making it a vibrant and regal event.

The Puthuppally Pally Perunnal Kodiyettu is a significant religious festival dedicated to St. George, beginning with the solemn flag hoisting ceremony, or Kodiyettu. This marks the official start of the celebrations, which include special religious services, cultural programs, communal meals, and offerings of prayers and vows.

Throughout the festival, the church hosts special religious services, including Holy Mass, liturgical prayers, and sermons focusing on the life, teachings, and miracles of St. George. Cultural programs, such as music concerts, traditional dance performances, and drama presentations, showcase Kerala's rich cultural heritage. A communal feast, known as "sadya," is served on banana leaves, symbolizing community unity and hospitality. Devotees also use this occasion to offer prayers and make vows to St. George, seeking blessings for various needs such as health, prosperity, and protection.