Christian Pilgrimage :
India is a land of Several religion. Christianity in India entered during thePortugese and British Rule in India.Christian Religion believes that Jesus as their Messiah. This is world's largest religion. Christian have theirwell-known symbol Cross which is of various varieties. Their principle holy book is Bible. In India Kerala is known as the Cradle of Christianity. The holy Christian sites which are very famous are Church of St Monica in Goa and St. John's Church is the oldest church in North India. Lets know these holy places in brief :
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Velankanni :
This holy shrine of Virgin Mary is situated at 12 km south of Nagapattinam, on the Coromandel Coast, in the State of Tamil Nadu. The shrine is also known as 'Sacred Arogya Matha Church'. It is strongly believed that Virgin Mary has miraculous healing powers. Thousands of pilgrims belonging to various castes and communities come daily having faith that they ll get healed by the Virgin Mary here. The story here tells that In the year 1560, Virgin Mary appeared in front of shepherd, and asked for milk to quench the thirst of babyJesus. When the shepherd returned after giving the milk to his master, his pot kept filling up with milk. As a result small portion was built here. Again Virgin Mary appeared in front of a lame boy at the end of the 16th century, who regained the use of his limbs. After this incident, the Church was constructed at this place. A 10 days festival is held every year from Aug. 28 to Sept. 10. Lots of people join this festival and complete their rituals here. | ||
| How to Reach : By Air : Nearest Airport is Chennai. By Rail : Nearest railway Stations are Trichy, Chennai and Thanjavur. By Road : Buses are well connected from Chidambaram, Madurai, Pondicherry, Chennai and Trichi. | ||
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Santa Cruz Basilica Cathedral :
It is made by Portuguese in Gothic style and among the one of Eight Basilicas in India. It's a Roman Catholic Cathedral situated in Kochi Fort in the Ernakulam District in the State of Kerala. This is also known as The Santa Cruz Basilica. This holy place has very beautiful paintings on its ceilings and a pastel colored interior. The exterior are white-washed. Best season to visit is between October to March | ||
How to Reach :
By Air : Nearest International Air Port is at Nedumbassery, near Aluva, 22kms from Ernakulam. By Boat : You can have Boat ride from Terminus Jetty (Near Taj Malabar) By Rail : Nearest Railway station is Ernakulam. By Bus : Buses are well connected from Ernakulam but it is suggested to know the schedule first to reach here. | ||
St. Francis Church :
Place : Fort Kochi, Ernakulam district, Kerala. Significance : First European Church In India, Vasco da Gama, the first European to come to India was buried here Timings : Open on all days from morning till 6pm. St. Francis Church is the first Europan Church in India which is dedicated to Santo Antonio, the patron Saint of Portugal. | ||
The Church is Situated at Parade Road just 2 Km west of Mattancherry in Fort Cochin in Ernakulam District in the State of Kerala. It is said that the church was originally made up of wooden structure dedicated to St. Bartholomew, but as the Portuguese came they reconstruct it with the due permission of King of Kochi and dedicated the Church to St. Antony. There is regular worships in the Church. It is open for visitors and tourists on weekdays. This church is a living historical monument and one of the main tourist attraction in Fort Kochi.
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How to reach :
By Air : Nearest International Air Port is at Nedumbassery, near Aluva, 22kms from Ernakulam. By Boat : You can have Boat ride from Terminus Jetty (Near Taj Malabar) By Rail : Nearest Railway station is Ernakulam. By Bus : Buses are well connected from Ernakulam but it is suggested to know the schedule first to reach here. | ||
Marthoma Pontifical Shrine
Place : Marthoma Nagar, Azhicode, Kodungallur, Kerala Significance : First of the seven churches founded by St.Thomas in Kerala Timings : 9 am to 6 pm.The Mar Thoma Pontifical Shrine is situated at a monument to St. Thomas is situated at Marthoma Nagar at Azhikode in Kodungallur in the State of Kerala.This monument is dedicated to St. Thomas and was Built on the banks of river Periyar in the model of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome.This is one of principle shrine of Christians in India and is having a historical importance. It is believed that This Church is the first one out of the seven which St. Thomas himself formed here in India in Kerala. | ||
| How to Reach : By Air : Nearest international airport : Cochin International Airport. By Rail : Nearest railway station is Irinjalakuda which is 20 km from Thrissu r. By Road : Nearest Bust Stand is Trichur from where you get Busses to Kodungallur which is one and half hour journey from here. | ||
Malayattoor :
Place : Kalady, Ernakulam district, Kerala Significance: First pilgrim centre in India to be accorded international status by the Holy See, Vatican. Best time to Visit : October to March This is the first Christian pilgrim centre in India to abe accorded International status by the Vatican City. The Malayattoor is famous pilgrim centre situated besides the Periyar River in Ernakulam District, just 52 kms away from Kochi in the State of Kerala.
'Malayattoor' literally means the meeting place of land, mountain and river. Devotees of all castes visits this place seeking blessings from this place. It is believed that Mother Mary appeared at this place after strong prayer by St. Thomas and placed a golden cross over here on the rock.
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| How to Reach : By Air : Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport. By Rail : Nearest railway station : Angamaly, (17 km from Malayattoor) . By Road : Buses from all parts are well-connected to Malayattoor. | ||
Basilica of Bom, Old Goa :
This world heritage monument built situated at Old Goa which is just 9 kms away from Panjim. It was built in the year 1695 and becomes a famous example of fine architecture and becomes a landmark in the history of Christianity.This world heritage monument contains the body of St. Francis Xavier saint. It was found that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried.
This miracle attracts huge number of devotees from all over the world, especially during the public viewing of his body every ten years. It is believed that saint have miraculous powers to heal and pilgrims would come from all over the country to offer prayers and for blessings. Best time to visit is October to March.
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| How to reach : By Air : Nearest airport at Dabolim just 30 km from Panaji. By Rail : Nearest two railway stations- at Vasco da Gama and Margao well connected to other parts of the country . By Bus: Old Goa connected to Panjim which is connected by Road of all parts . |
| Common to all | Bethlehem, Israel: birthplace of Jesus Nazareth, Israel: where Jesus lived and began ministry Jerusalem, Israel: where the early Church was started |
| Catholic | The Vatican: also known as "Vatican City" and "The Holy See" (an independent state within Rome, Italy) [map] |
| Eastern Orthodox | Constantinople, Turkey: seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople [photo gallery] Mt. Athos - Mt. Athos is a peninsula in eastern Greece (near Thesaloniki) that is extremely revered by Orthodox believers. It is inhabited exclusively by monastics. There are twenty large monasteries plus countless small sketes, brotherhoods and hermitages. It is a major pilgramage sight for Orthodox males. |
| Anglican | Canterbury, England: seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Latter-day Saints | Salt Lake City, Utah: World headquarters of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; site of Salt Lake Temple, Temple Square, Mormon Tabernacle, etc. Palmyra, New York: site of First Vision; city where Book of Mormon was first printed [map] Kirtland, Ohio: site of first Latter-day Saint city; 1st temple Nauvoo, Illinois: site of second Latter-day Saint city; 2nd temple (1st full-service temple) [map] |
