23rd February 2019.
We had been to Thiruchennampoondi Sri Kadaimudi Mahadevar Temple through this Poondi Madha Basilica, two times and thought of visiting this 18th century Basilica one day. That day happened on 23rd February 2019. It was around 19.00 hrs when we visited this Basilica and a mass was about to finish. So we had the chance of visiting inside the Basilica too.
This Basilica as a Church was built ( 1714 to 1718 AD ) by the great Italian missionary Rev. Fr. Contantine Joseph Beschi S.J. was popularly known as “Veeramunivar”. He came to India, first landed in Goa to preach the teachings of Jesus Christ. Before coming to Poondi he served at 8 places in Tamil Nadu. After mastered in Tamil Language, he changed his name as “Thairiyanathaswamy”, since the name was in Sanscrit he changed to Tamil name as “Veeramamunivar. He had written 23 books, which includes “Thembavani”, the life history of Jesus’s corporeal father Joseph. His work “Paramartha Guru Kadhai”, Tamil Grammar and Dictionary are well appreciated by the scholars. He was called as Father of Tamil prose. Fascinated by the Thirukural, he adopted / quoted many Kurals in his works. Tamilnadu Govt honored him by erecting a life size Statue on Chennai Marina Beach.
The Church was named as “Mary Queen of Immaculate Conception”, when it was constructed. After Veeramunivar, the church was taken care off by the French Missionary Fathers ( MEP Fathers ) of the Pastoral Mission in Kumbakonam Diocese. In 1900 AD Fr. Mette Louis Jules started a Catechetical School at Poondi to train Catechists. By the divine grace of Madha, Rev. Fr. Lourdes Xavier rebuilt the dome, which was collapsed due to rain. From then on wards many miracles happened at the Basilica and to the Devotees. From 1999 AD, the church was declared as a Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul –II.
The specialty of this Church is a small piece of original cross in which Jesus was crucified is kept here. This relic will be taken in a procession from Micheal Patty to Poondi Madha Basilica. This Basilica also has one of the rarest Madha statues brought to India from Lourdes City of France is kept under worship.
The present Basilica was constructed in a mixture of Gothic and French architecture. 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, saints like St. Francis Xavier and also one of Fr Constantine Joseph Beschi statues are erected at the portico.
The Complex has a canteen, a depot / a Shop, which sells the articles related to Christian faith, A marriage organizing center, a Community hall, a Tonsuring hall, a Museum which contains the gifts offered by the Devotees in terms of Gold, Silver etc., Stay house for the pilgrims, etc.
Annual festival will be celebrated between May 6th to May 15th with flag hoisting. Madha’s birth day will also be celebrated during September every year. Devotees from various parts of Tamil Nadu used to reach this place by walking all the way from their native places.
MASS TIMINGS:
Mass in Tamil will be held at 6.00 hrs, 11.15 hrs and 17.15 hrs during week days and in addition to this 09.30 hrs mass will be conducted on First and 3rd Saturdays. A Mass in English will be held at 12.30 hrs on Sundays.
HOW TO REACH:
Poondi is in Alamelupuram Poondi near Thirukattupalli in Thanjavur District.
Railway stations Budulur is 18 KM, Thanjavur is 35 KM and Trichy is also 35 KM .
Direct buses are available from Chennai, Velankanni, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Kallanai etc,.
CONTACT DETAILS:
The landline number +91 4362 280422 may be contacted for further details.
LOCATION:CLICK HERE
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
Hi Very nice post thanks for the wonderful pictures. Trichy to Velankanni Cabs
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