Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes (Poondi)

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Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes

The Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes or Poondi Madha Basilica is the church of a Roman Catholic pilgrimage center in India . The basilica in the hamlet of Poondi is located between the Kaveri and Colleroon rivers and belongs to the diocese of Kumbakonam and the southern state of Tamil Nadu .

history

Interior of the basilica

The church was built from 1714 to 1718 by the important Italian Jesuit missionary Constantine Joseph Beschi (1680–1742), known as Veeramamunivar . In 1955, the pastor Lourdes Xavier carried out the urgently needed repairs to the roof of the central section. On August 3, 1999, the church was elevated to a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II .

architecture

The style of the church is a mixture of French architecture and Gothic elements, with influences from Hindu temples. On the facade above the church door there are statues of the apostles as well as of Franz Xaver and Constantine Joseph Beschi. The church has a relic of the cross . Brother Darres also brought a statue of the Virgin Mary from France to India, venerated as the wife of Poondi .

Web links

Commons : Poondi Madha Basilica  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 10 ° 51 ′ 50.4 ″  N , 78 ° 56 ′ 28.5 ″  E