St.George Forane Church Aruvithura belonging to the Syro-Malabar Rite in the diocese of Palai, is situated on the left bank of the river Meenachil. A beacon of the nineteen century old Christian faith, the church stands on a picture square spot, about 25 miles due east to Kottayam. The ancient name of the place was Irapuzhai or Irapeli.