Travel the world: Our Lady of Dolours Basilica

Kerala, a state located in Southern India is known as ‘God’s Own Country’ and is a sought after destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. It has an annual footfall of over 10 million tourists. Kerala has over 600 km of Arabian Sea coastline with beaches strewn all over interspersed with the mystical backwaters. It also has the Western Ghats with thriving tea and coffee plantations and wildlife sanctuaries like Periyar and Ernakulam. 

Amidst all these Natural wonders, lies the cultural capital of the State, in Thrissur. It is a land of ancient temples, mosques and churches and is famous for its religious diversity. It is here in Thrissur itself where we can visit India’s tallest and Asia’s third tallest church ‘Our Lady of Dolours Basilica’ also called ‘Puthanpalli’  (New Church). It  is located in the heart of Thrissur city and is located 1 km away from the Railway Station, Thrissur.

History and Origins

Our Lady of Dolours Basilica, an iconic and landmark monument which is visible from throughout the city. The Basilica has a long history with a significant contribution of the Maharaja of Cochin. In 1794 recognising the need to accommodate diverse religions The Maharaja helped rehabilitate 52 Christian families in Thrissur from nearby Kottekad and Ollur. Subsequently, in 1814 the Archbishop Doiminicos gave his blessings to build a church in Thrissur in the name of ‘Our lady of Dolours’ under The Cranganore Archdiose. In 1838 when the Cranganore Archdiose ceased to exist the existing church shifted under Bishop of Verapoly. 

Then in 1874 the Chaldean patriarch (from present day Kurdistan) sent a request to the Pope to place all the Syro-Malabar Christians under him. The Christians of Kottyayam district agreed and came under him and took over the original church and named it ‘Mart Mariam Big Church’. The Syro-Malabar Christians of Thrissur then applied for a permission to build a ‘New Church-Puthanpalli’ from Maharaja of Cochin, Viceroy of India which was approved in 1925. The church construction took a long time to finish. It was finally  consecrated on November 24, 1940, by Bishop Mar Francis Vazhappilly and was given the status of a Mini Basilica on 25th April 1992 by Pope John Paul II.

Our Lady of Dolours stands out  because of its sheer scale and grandeur, the peace and tranquillity one feels after visiting it is also unparalleled. So anytime is a good time to visit it, yet the best season to visit ‘Our Lady of Dolours Basilica’ is in winter from September to January when the temperatures are cooler and the heavy monsoons have subsided. ‘The Feast of St Mary’ is held in September, so from Early September to November is an even better time as by then the climate is not too hot, and the heavy tourist inflow has also not yet started. 

Indo Gothic Architecture

Before the construction of ‘Puthanpalli’ or New church began, the then Bishop Mar. Francis Vazhapilly had visited Rome and other European countries and observed the ancient churches. Impressed by the grandeur and vastness of European churches ,he drew the Rough Plan of the new church himself upon his return from Europe. This massive New Church was built under the supervision of  Engineer Jnanaprakasam and Architect Ambros Gounder. 

The New Church was built in Indo Gothic style of architecture and has an area of 25000 square feet (2300 sq mtrs). The entrance is flanked by two soaring belfries, each being 146’ high and has double storied aisles all along the nave and transepts. There are eleven altars, five each on the side of the main central altar. The main altar is covered by a massive dome supported on four pillars and beneath this dome lie the mortal remains of bishops. The ten altars on either side have statues of various Saints. The ceilings are adorned by extensively detailed and decorative paintings and murals. Another attraction is that the church has 8 musical bells which have been brought from Germany.

The church was constructed in 11 years and various construction experts from India and especially Tamil Nadu were brought in to complete the building. The church has a total of fifteen altars and The Bible tower is the latest addition and was completed in 2007. It functions as an art gallery which has various murals of Christ and his life carved in wood and stained glass depicting the healing of Jesus and various other stories of life of Christ depicted in paintings. This Tower is 20 stories high (260 feet high)  and one must  visit the top of this tower and get a bird’s eye view of Thrissur city.

Thriving in Dichotomy  

Our Lady of Dolours Basilica surprises you with its grandeur and how it converges the three facets of location, architecture and history is what makes it unique. Thrissur still has a thriving Hindu and Christian community living together in harmony as envisioned by the Maharaja of Cochin and Our Lady of Dolours Basilica is the proof. 

References:

• Our Lady of Dolours Basilica, Thrissur, Kerala, India, Available at: https://catholicshrinebasilica.com/our-lady-of-dolours-basilica-thrissur/#google_vignette (Accessed : 05.10.2024)
• Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours or Puthen Pally in Thrissur- A Must See Christian Church in Kerala, South India, Sunil Kumar Kunnoth, June 18,2021, Available at: https://discover.hubpages.com/travel/Shrine-Basilica-of-Our-Lady-of-Dolours-or-Puthanpally-in-Thrissur-A-Must-See-Christian-Church-In-Kerala-South-India (Accessed : 05.10.2024)
• Our Lady of Dolours, Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica, Available at: https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/kerala/our-lady-of-dolours-syro-malabar-catholic-basilica.html(Accessed : 06.10.2024)
• Our Lady of Dolours Basilica, Thrissur, Available at: https://www.keralatourism.org/christianity/dolours-basilica-thrissur/75 (Accessed : 06.10.2024)