The Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours is the biggest church in India, with three huge towers. And the central tower with a height of 260 feet is the third tallest tower in all Asia. The church compound spreads around 25,000 square feet in the heart of Thrissur city. The church is an architectural marvel, as it is built in ancient European Gothic style. There are eleven altars within the church, a main altar in the centre and five small altars on both sides.
The construction of the church was completed at different phases starting in 1929 and lasted for many years. Ambrose Gounder is said to be the architect who finished the construction. Apart from the central tower, there are two other front towers at a height of 146 feet each. The Bible tower is yet another major attraction of the church, as it is Kerala’s first Christian Art Gallery. It has a collection of mural paintings, oil paintings, and sculptures that depicts different stages of Christ’s life, along with the images of saints and the life history of St. Thomas. The tower and the red cross on the top can be spotted from any part of Thrissur city. It offers the visitors a spectacular view of Thrissur around 18 km of the surrounding area.
There is a bell tower that hosts eight different bells brought down from Germany that enhances the glory of this ancient church. The major festival of the church would be the feast of St. Mary that falls around the month of September. After Thrissur Pooram, the second largest festival celebrated in this district would be celebrations in the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours. It is such a pleasure visiting this Indo-Gothic Church spreading its spiritual charm and serenity upon the faithful believers.
Contact Details
Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours,
Erinjery Angady, Pallikkulam,
Thrissur, Kerala 680001
