Paika
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Paika Kottayam district, Kerala, India is a small town 8 km away from Palai on Pala-Ponkunnam road of Muvattupuzha - Punalur state highway. It is part of Meenachil Taluka, known as the best fertile agricultural land of Travancore. Majority of people are Syrian Malabar Nasrani Catholic Christians. This region is part of highranges of eastern kerala lying near to Idukki district. Main income is from Agriculture mostly rubber plantations. Many famous Syrian Catholic families of Kerala have origins around Paika- Edamattom, Bharananganam, Poovarany, Vilakkumadom etc.
The jubilee feast (of immaculate conception) of the shrine of Our Lady of [St. Joseph's Church,Paika] attracts thousands of believers in December every year to this small, panoramic hamlet. Miles of colourful decorations along the pathways and processions led by traditional orchestra during the feast provide cynosure to the eyes. The elders are of the opinion that the former name of Paika was Kottachery, and it was a thriving market in the past. famous writer Paul Zacharia or Sakkaria hails from Urulikunnam, a villege near to Paika.
