Maramon (Kerala), Feb 9 (IANS): Asia's biggest Christian convention got underway here Sunday with Philipose Mar Chrysostum, senior metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church, leading the opening worship.

The 119th edition of the week-long meet, called Maramon Convention and organised by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, got underway on the river bed of Pampa here.

Maramon is on the banks of the Pampa river, about 20 km from Thiruvalla. The convention takes place on the river bed under a sprawling temporary shed, made of coconut leaves, which will seat about a lakh of people.

The Mar Thoma community has nearly a million believers and for any devout Mar Thomaite, a visit to the convention is a must. Christians from other denominations also attend the congregation.

Each day will have three separate sessions for women and men and a series of prayer and devotional music sessions.

A large number of Kerala politicians also attend the convention. With Lok Sabha polls around the corner, a huge influx of politicians is expected this year.

Union Minister Sashi Tharoor, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J.Kurien (who belongs to the Mar Thoma church) and state Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph were present at the inaugural session.