Christianity is one among the major religions in India. It comes to about the third largest in India. This article gives an outlook of the best and top ranked churches in India. For a person who wants to visit churches, this is the best place for a reference. Let us get into the details, one by one.
1. Sé Cathedral at Old Goa:
This is one among the largest church in India and is located in Goa. This Cathedral is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria. This church was built to honor the victory of Portuguese under a Muslim army, which led to the capture of the city of Goa.
Se Cathedral at Old Goa
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Se%E2%80%99_Cathedral,_Goa.jpg
Since this victory accidentally happened on the feast of St. Catherine, the cathedral was dedicated to her. The actual construction began in 1562 and was completed in 1619 and sacred in 1640. The church is 181 feet in breath and 250m in length.
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On account of the rich tone of the bell in the Cathedral, it is known as the “Golden Bell”. It is known to be one of the best bells in the world and the largest in Goa. On the main Altar, there are several old paintings and it is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria. On the right, there is a chapel, where it is believed that a vision of Christ is said to have appeared in 1919. This chapel is also known as Cross of Miracles.
2. Parumala Church in Kerala:
Parumal Church is named after the great Saint, Saint Gregorious Geevarghese also known as Parumala Thirumeni. This church is at Mannar in Kerala and is a parish church of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Parumal church is the tomb church of Saint Gregorious Geevarghese.
Parumala Church in Kerala
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Parumala_Church.jpg
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It was in 1947 that Mar Gregorious was blessed and declared a saint by the then Catholicos of the church. The present church could accommodate about 2000 believers. It is in a circular design with a diameter of 39 meters. The church is believed to have great powers and many believers come from all parts to pray at this divine church.
3. Basilica of Bom Jesus:
This is one among the most famous churches in India. Being situated in the beach city of Goa, this church is around 300 years old. Bom Jesus means Good Jesus. The church is said to hold the remains of St. Francis Xavier and the body is opened for public display at a particular time of the year. During this period, thousand of believers come to this church, which includes even foreigners. This church has been declared as the world heritage site.
Old Goa’s Basilica de Bom Jesus
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Parumala_Church.jpg
4. Malayatoor Church:
This is a prominent Christian pilgrimage and is located in Kerala. In south India, it is believed that it was St. Thomas the Apostle who spread the teachings of Christianity in South India. This is one among the older churches and is dated back to 52 AD. This church was build by St. Thomas and it is situated on a hill top. This place has been declared as an international pilgrimage spot by the Vatican. Since it is on the hill top, climbing the hill gives a great experience to the worshipers to get to the church and pray.
Malayatoor Church
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Malayattoor_Church.jpg
5. Velankanni Church:
This is one among the most scared churches for the Christian across the globe. Velankanni town is located at the beach of Bay of Bengal. It is famous for the shrine, Basilica which is dedicated to ‘Lady of Health’. It has been proved for centuries that Velankanni is known as the “Lourdes of the East”. It is believed that when worshipers offer candles to the Mother, their illness is cured and candles are in different shapes like heart, lungs etc. based on the ailment a person has, they light the candle of that shape. This shrine is a great combination of multicultural, international and religious harmony.
Velankanni Church
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vailankanni_Basilica1.jpg
6. Santa Cruz Basilica:
One among the oldest churches in India and was originally built by the Portuguese in 1505. It was then in 1558, the church was elevated to a cathedral by the then pope, Pope Paul IV. The church is a Cochin, Kerala. The Cathedral was titled to Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984. The church was spared, when the Dutch invaded and destroyed other catholic buildings.
Image Source: shunya.net/Pictures/South%20India/Cochin/SantaCruzBasilica04.jpg
7. Vallarpadam Church:
This church is also called as “The Church of Our Lady Ransom”. This is a famous pilgrimage spot. The church is dedicated to Mother Mary who is also called as Vallarpadathamma. The church was initially built in 1524 by the Portuguese, but was then destroyed by the Dutch. The present church was rebuilt in 1676 and is located in Cochin, Kerala. A very sacred church and has been declared as a major pilgrim centre by the Union Government of India in 1951.
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vallarpadom_Church.jpg
8. St. Francis Church:
This is one among the oldest European Churches. It is situated in Cochin, and stands as an evidence of history of Christianity in India. This church describes the struggle of the European colonies in India. In 1923, this church became a protected monument.
St. Francis Church at Kochi
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vallarpadom_Church.jpg
9. Kadamattom Church:
This church is an integral part of the Malankara Jacobite Orthodox Syrian Church. It is believed to have been established in the 9th century AD and built in Indo-Persian architecture. The church posses and Old Persian cross. The church is very famous, from a priest named “Kadamattathu kattanar” who was well known for his supernatural powers. The Chapel and the Poyedam Well is a well tourist attraction.
Kadamattom Church
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kadamattom.jpg
10. The Reis Magos Church in Goa:
Church was built in 1555 and was dedicated to St. Jerome. Historians say that the church was built on the ruins of a Hindu Temple. The church depicts about the Three Wise Men (Reis Magos) who came with gifts to see baby Jesus.
The Reis Magos Church in Goa
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Reis_magos_church.JPG