Poothurai is a fast developing ancient village built in between the Arabian Sea and the A.V.M canal. The population mainly consists of Christians, Hindus & Muslims and they work unitedly for the overall development of the village. There is an association including leaders from all religions called “Movement for Better World”. Poothurai is a model Parish well known for ,“Communal Harmony”.
Earlier this village was known as “PUTUTURREI” and after that “PUSHPATHURAI” because flowers covered most parts of the village. And later it came to be known as “POOTHURAI” (POO+PUSHPAM).
Poothurai Parish was established either by St. Francis Xavier or his predecessors. Most probably it was before the erection of the four parishes mentioned by Fr.Schurhammer S.J. As per the reports submitted by Fr.Andrew Lopez S.J. in 1644, which speaks of the three residential parishes namely:- Residence of Mampulim (Mampally), Residence of Reytora (Valiathura) and of Residence of Pututurrei (Poothurai).
Three leagues from Brinjam further down the seashore is the residence of Puduturrei, the patron of the church is St.John the Baptist, with 200 Christians & 20 children’s coming daily for catechism. But only with the arrival of St. Francis Xavier the number of Christians increased to great extent and they built a Church with coconut leaves. The altar in the Church was made of gold and it is told that the statue of St. John the Baptist was got from the seashore. In 11-01-1111 (Tamil era) a church was built with granite stone. During the Padroado administration Bishops from Goa & Cochin came over here to cater the pastoral needs and administer the sacrament of confirmation. Priests from Goa and Cochin had the privileges to be the parish priests of Poothurai.
The old church was renovated in 15 June 1996 and was blessed by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Soosaipakiam M, the Archbishop of Trivandrum Archdiocese.
God’s ways are hidden and mysterious. He works through very simple and ordinary people. The missionary spirit of the Mercedarians reached even to Tamil Nadu. It was Rev.Fr.John De Bosco, a native of Poothurai, influenced by Rev.Fr.Thomas Parathara, brought the idea of branching the Mercedarian tree to the land of Tamilians. Accordingly Rt. Rev. Dr. Jacob Acharuparambil, Bishop of Thiruvananthapuram permitted the sisters to start the missionary work in the coastal area of Poothurai. The parish priest Rev.Fr.Hycinth M.Nayakam gave the sisters the parochial house as their residence on 17th August 1983. The ‘Mission’ in this mission area was found very difficult in the initial stage.They found that children were not sent to schools. The sisters visited the houses, met the people and made them understand the need to educate their children. Thus the sisters found a place in the heart of the natives. The sisters helped the people in liturgy, catechism, and festal celebrations and above all in prayer meetings.
The congregation realized the necessity of having a house in Poothurai because they couldn’t continue in the parochial house as their work increased day by day. The parish priest Rev. Fr.T Nicholas helped the sisters to acquire the land and build up a beautiful house surrounded by coconut grove. The newly built house was blessed in 1989.
In 1990 the B.C.C (Basic Christian Community) was introduced. Our parish is divided into 36 units of BCC groups. Its main aim was to make people aware of the importance of scripture reading, which in turn helps for self-realization. It helps the people to come together, discuss their feelings and problems in common and also find solutions to the same.
Academically the people of the village possess high standard. It is said that 90% of the people are educated. There are two upper primary schools & one Computer Institution. Schools are run by Government and by Rev.Sisters respectively. Parish runs Computer Institute. At evening, the parish with the help of qualified volunteer teachers conducts special coaching classes.
Poothurai is located in the southernmost part of India, in Tamil Nadu state. It is in Vilavancode Taluk in Kanyakumari district. This village is bounded by A.V.M Canal in the North, Arabian Sea in the South, Erayumanthurai village in the East and Thoothoor Village in the west.
Poothurai comes under the spiritual services of Trivandrum Archdiocese. Though this region politically belongs to the state of Tamil Nadu, the spiritual activities here are managed by the Archbishop of Trivandrum Archdiocese.
People are bi-lingual who speak both Tamil and Malayalam. English is also spoken and understood. Tamil is spoken with Malayalam accent. Tamil spoken here is difficult to understand for other Tamilians of state.
The traditional career of the people is sea fishing.Mechanized boats and long lining are used for shark hunting. Our people stay in the sea up to 2-30 days consecutively. For fish hunt, they are going to Porbandar, Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Goa, Mangalore, Kochi, Chennai, Vishakapattanam and so on. Poothurai fishermen, in lieu of their fish catching techniques, are known all over the world. From this village, about 65 boats, 125 fly woods, 15 Karamadi and more than 100 kattumaram are engaged in fishing. From a very backward village like this, the fisherman by their hard work, skills, adventurous nature and dedication have come up to this stage.
In the field of research, Software, Computer, Engineering, Medicine, Technology, Teaching, Arts, Science, Marine Engineering, Film Industry, Aerobics and etc. the sons of this soil are doing wonders. A proportionate number of people pursue trade and business activities, where as a large chunk has moved to various Gulf countries to earn their livelihood. “GULF” is a craze here that it is not uncommon to hear that people from Poothurai are working in various part of the world in U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, UK, Malaysia, Singapore and Oman.
A daily market locally known as “KUMARI KADAI” main hub here for the local people and surrounding villagers for their business and trade activities.