Poondi Madha Basilica

Coordinates: 10°51′40″N 78°56′18″E / 10.86111°N 78.93833°E / 10.86111; 78.93833

Poondi Matha Basilica
Basic information
Location Poondi-Alamelupuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Affiliation Roman Catholic
Year consecrated Eighteenth century beginning
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Minor Basilica
Architectural description
Architectural style Gothic and French architecture

Our Lady of Lourdes Basilica, Poondi, is a Catholic pilgrimage centre located in Tamil Nadu, South India. Poondi is a small village located near Thirukattupalli in Thiruvaiyaru Taluk (also spelled as Taluka), about 35 km away from Thanjavur. Poondi is usually associated with Alamelupuram village located besides the Basilica and so is called as Poondi-Alamelupuram, officially.

History

Rev. Fr. Constantine Joseph Beschi S.J., an Italian Jesuit missionary and Tamil Scholar, built the Church of Mary Queen of Immaculate Conception between 1714 and 1718. Poondi Madha Shrine was officially classified a Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II on 3 August, 1999.[1]

Shrine

Poondi Church Side View

The present structure of the shrine has a mixture of Gothic and French architectural styles. The facade above the portico has a row of statues of the Twelve Apostles, St. Francis Xavier and Fr. Constantine Joseph Beschi. The church has a relic of the True Cross, believed to be the one on which Christ was crucified.[2]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ "What to see - Thanjavur district attractions". Thanjavur District Administration. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
  2. ↑ "Poondi Madha Basilica::Original Cross". www.poondimadhabasilica.org. Retrieved 2016-01-20.

Indian Oil Petrol Bunk - Poondi Madha Kovil, Thanjavur

External links

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