BHARANANGANAM - 40 km. Christian pilgrim centre as the burial place of Sister Alphonsa, elevated to sainthood by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008. She is the first Saint for the Indian Catholic Church. Her burial at the St Mary’s Chruch at Bharanganam as well as her home, Muttathupadath at Kudamaloor, have become busy centres for pilgrims from India and abroad. The diocesan process of her beatification started on December 2, 1953 under the leadership of Cardinal Tisserant. Sister Alphonsa was formally beatified on February 6, 1986 by Pope John Paul II at Kottayam during his visit to Kerala.