6 Beautiful Churches To Visit In Pondicherry

Those who have visited Pondicherry, a lovely, peaceful destination located close to Chennai, will surely agree that the most striking feature the city has to offer is its magnificent churches. Here we share details of some of the best churches in Pondicherry that are going to leave you awestruck with its sheer beauty and finesse. Visiting these churches will make you feel as if you have been transported into the erstwhile times, giving you a peek into the rich traditions and culture followed in that era. The highlight of these churches is their unique architectural structures and designs, a perfect amalgamation of the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the French architectural styles. Some churches belong to diverse denominations like Roman Catholic Churches, Pentecostal churches, and Methodist Churches.

# Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

It is a strikingly beautiful and truly magnificent, Gothic-styles basilica that dates back to approximately 100 years. Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this Catholic Church has recently celebrated its centenary year. It is one of the most popular and visited churches in Pondicherry. Its beautiful and rare-stained glass panels impart a unique charm to this Christian pilgrimage spot. Some of the major episodes of the lives of Catholic Church saints and Lord Jesus are depicted on this glass. Later, additions were done, and a Parish Hall, Grotto for Our Lady of Lourdes, a community hall, and an Adoption Chapel were added to the church premises, making it the biggest Church in Pondicherry.

# Our Lady of Angels Church

It is another lovely church worth visiting and exploring when traveling to Pondicherry. The specialty of this Church is the celebration of Mass in three languages, English, Tamil, and French every Sunday. The original structure of this Church was built in 1855 by Napolean III. The structure is inspired by Greco-Roman architecture. The highlight of the Church is its two tall pillars that have clocks singing Ave Maria every two hours. In the recent past, the Church underwent a lot of changes. For instance, the humongous bells imported from France are no longer in use. The ringing of these bells used to cause vibrations in nearby buildings, damaging their foundation. Many renovations and upgrades have made the Church located in Rue Dumas and White Town provide a peaceful ambiance to the devotees.

# Immaculate Conception Cathedral

It is a popular Catholic Church located at Mission Street in Pondicherry. This Church dates back to 300 years and is considered the Mother Church of Archidiocese of Cuddalore and Pondicherry. Built by Louis XIV, the King of France, it was demolished by the Dutch. The second construction started and was completed quickly, but it failed to last for a long time. It was constructed for the third time but was again destroyed, this time by Britishers. The Cathedral that stands today has an altar of Our Lady of Good Health, St. Joseph, St. Therese of Lisieux, Sacred Heart, and St Francis of Assissi. Tourists love to explore this beautiful Church.

# St. Andrew's Church

Kanakarya Mudali constructed this awe-inspiring Church in 1745, which is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture. Its unique architectural style is one of the most distinguished landmarks in Pondicherry. Located close to the heart of the city, it is one of the ancient churches in the Reddiarpalayam area. Its inaugural ceremony is still talked about because of being a grand affair organized in times of reservation. It is also one of the first churches that have Tamil inscriptions. At the entrance of the vestry, a Grotto of St. Andrews can be seen. The Church has an unmistakable sense of peace and tranquility, enhanced by traditional Catholic imagery. Its sheer elegance and beauty attract a lot of tourists.

# Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine

It is a spellbindingly beautiful shrine devoted to Blessed Virgin Mary. Its location in Villianur Town makes it easy to access. A huge stone statue of Our Lady of Lourdes was installed in 1877, which is the major attraction of this Church. This statue is a testament to miraculous events in the 19th century, post which it was declared a shrine. Thousands of followers visit this shrine on the first Saturday of every August. The Holy Water collected during this event from Lourdes Church of France is poured into a Sacred Pond located in the premises of this shrine. This water from the naturally-formed pond is considered to cure people suffering from various diseases and is believed to bring good fortune.

# Hallelujah Assembly of God Church

This Church came into existence from very humble beginnings. It was started in a rented house with the capacity to accommodate 3000 people. It is the mother church of 30 assemblies in Pondicherry. Before the Church acquired land, prayers and worships were held in rented houses and temporary spaces. The undying spirit of the Pastor ensured good support from the Church missionaries. The Church keeps its doors open for people from all walks of life. It is the best place to imbibe and understand the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ and realize His magnificence.