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WELCOME TO PANIMATHA
Our Lady of Snows Kallikulam shrine is one of the prominent Marian shrines in India. It is located at Tirunelveli district in the state Tamilnadu of India. In the recent years, it became popular in India because of vision and apparition of Our Lady. A strong oral tradition attests to Our Lady’s apparition at Kallikulam. The tradition is built around the following few significant events:
On 1884, the villagers and Jesuits decided to build a new church at Kallikulam for Our Lady. They were undecided about the size and location of the church. They prayed to Our Lady and requested her intercession to choose the location and size of the church. At that time, on a hot summer morning, they found a piece of land wet with morning dew. They wondered about that unusual thing, and believed that that was a miraculous intercession of Our Lady to mark the location of the church. On 1885 they built a magnificent church on that location and consecrated to Our Lady of Snows.
On 29th March 1939, evening around 6.30 pm, Our Lady appeared on a hill near to the church. Six young people saw that apparition and informed that to parish priest and the village people.
Since then, thousands of people of all faiths, from all over India, have visited Kallikulam and have left spiritually strengthened and renewed. Countless unbelievers and physically or mentally afflicted, have been converted and healed. Not only do multitudes of Catholic travel there throughout the year but many non-Christians visit as well. Hundreds of miraculous cures are reported every year. Our Lady of the Snows devotions down through the centuries have proved the place to be of divine origin.
The shrine is a center of hospitality and spiritual growth, founded in Tamil tradition and culture. Here, Our Lady of the Snows, is popularly known as Panimatha. Panimatha is a Tamil word. In Tamil ‘Pani’ means ‘Snow’ and ‘Matha’ means ‘Mother’.
OUR LADY OF SNOWS CHURCH
People inhabited Kallikulam as early as 1700. They built a small temple to a Hindu deity for worship. The village leader performed religious service in that temple.
Sometime after, a lady with a child in her arm, frequently came in the dream of village leader and asked a particular portion of land at Kallikulam. That time Kallikulam village people were legally fighting for ownership of Kallikulam village land in the district court. That woman again came in the dream of village leader and assured her blessing to win their legal battle. On the next day, village leader and the people got final judgment in favour of them. So they decided to honor that lady. With help of a European Roman Catholic priest they came to know that that lady was Mary.
On 1770 AD, a thatched church was built in the name of Holy Mary by village people. Jesuits helped them to convert into Christianity and formed small Christian community. As catholic population increased, that church was enlarged, by Fathers Martin and Mossette on 1838.
On 1884, villagers and Jesuits decided to build a new church at Kallikulam for Our Lady. They were undecided about the size and location of the church. They prayed to Our Lady and requested her intercession to choose the location and size of church. At that time, on a hot summer morning, they found a piece of land wet with morning dew. They wondered about that unusual thing, and believed that that was a miraculous intercession of Our Lady to mark the location of proposed church.
On 5th September 1884, Rev.Father Cousanal laid foundation for new church. With donation and hard workmanship of people, church main building work was completed on 1886 and consecrated to Our Lady of Snows. The church tower work was started on 1941 and completed on 1942.
The church architecture is based on Roman architecture. It has three towers, one main tower and two sub towers. The main tower height is 160 feet and sub tower height is 68 feet. The church building height is 55 feet. The total length of church is 151 feet and width is 56 feet. The main tower has internal spiral steps for 143 feet. The main statue of “Our lady of Snows” and church bell were brought from France.
Our Lady of Snows church has religious significance for Christian community in India. It also has historical significance, as it is nearly 125 years old.
Contact:
Our Lady of Snow Church,
Kallikulam, Tirunelveli District,
Tamilnadu, India – 627113.
Tel No.: 04637 235161.
For more information please visit: http://www.panimatha.com/
Emmaus Spirituality Centre,
Aruljyothi Trust,
Sithanangur Post,
Villupuram District – 607107,
Tamilnadu, INDIA.
This St. Stephen’s Church, Nanmangalam, Chennai built through the efforts of Rev. Fr. Joseph Mangatt was blessed by the Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Neethinathan bishop of Chingleput on 25-03-2003.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Mangatt, Parish Priest,
Out lady of Lourdes Church, Madipakkam, Chennai.
St. Stephen’s Church,
Nanmangalam, Chennai – 600117.
Tamilnadu, INDIA.
For more information please visit: http://lourdes11madipakkam.org/
HISTORY
On the 8th December 1942, the Japanese entered the Second World War. In no time they occupied Burma and even penetrated into the province of Assam. In 1943 the Japanese Fleet sailed not far from Madras on its way to Trincomallee where it inflicted heavy damage on the British Navy. That was how the idea of a vow, and a Shrine in fulfillment of it, came to be conceived. We shall relate the story briefly in the Archbishop’s own words. “Madras was in the grip of a scare. Schools with their boarders were evacuated into the interior. The exodus of people was such that Madras looked for a while like a depopulated city.”
“It was during a special service held in St.Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday 5th September 1942, after consecrating the whole Archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, that I made, before the Faithful who filled the Cathedral to capacity, the Solemn promise to erect, soon after the war, in the city of Madras, preferably in that locality of Kilpauk or Chetpet, – a church in honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as a Votive Church, asking in return, for the duration of the war and after, the protection of our Heavenly Mother and Queen over the Archdiocese and Mission.”
“A campaign for offering towards this Votive Shrine was started in the New Leader. Rev.Fr.Michael Murray, S.D.B., went round collecting funds, but the response was meager. He was then sent to the U.S.A. for the specific purpose of collecting funds at our disposal. The intention was to put up the Shrine in that property and convert the large building already existing into the Archbishop’s House which would e shifted there from Armenian Street.” “Surprise after surprise took place soon after the acquisition of Kingsford. The first was that Mr.N.T.Patel, the contractor of the Catholic Centre, approached by Rev.Fr.J.P.D’Souza, promised to undertake to build the Shrine without any profit on his part or that of his firm. He was pleased to help us in a work for God’s glory.
The second was that Mr.J.R.Davis, the architect of the Catholic Centre and of the Shrine of Perambur, accepted to draw up the plans free of charge and see that the Shrine be erected without any delay. With the help of his partner, Mr.Peterson they prepared a beautiful plan of the Shrine, blending marvelously well Indian architecture with the Ecclesiastical architecture necessary for a Catholic Church. The third surprise and this was the greatest and most consoling – was the real sign that Our Lady had accepted my vow and was sanctioning it in a most miraculous manner.” “It was on Wednesday, 2nd of May 1951, that Mr.Prudhomme, a French gentleman who had been in Madras since 1901, called for me urgently
Miss. Amy de Rozario tried to get me first on the phone, but as I was absent, she called for Mr.A.P.C.Albuquerque, asking him to bring me immediately, if it were possible, as Mr. Prudhomme was anxious to see me. At 1.30p.m., I went with Mr.Albuquerque to see Mr.Prudhomme at his residence “Fontenoy” at Kilpauk. Mr.Prudhomme, who was subject to very high blood pressure had a week earlier, a stroke of paralysis which paralysed his left side. As soon as I arrived, he expressed a wish to donate his property known as “Fontenoy”, in order to erect in the compound the Shrine in honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, of which he had heard.”
“He then gave me a cheque for Rs.1,50,000 for its erection, He gave me also the adjoining property known as ‘Albuba’ to be used as the priests’ quarters, expressing the desire that ‘Fontenoy’, be turned into a charitable institution for the poor and destitute. The funds for the construction of the Shrine having been provided by Our Lady in a most unexpressed way, work was started immediately. The foundation stone was laid on the 20th April, 1952; the building was completed and the church solemnly blessed on the 6th December 1953. The high altar and two side altars were consecrated. The donor was present at the ceremony. A year later, at the close of the Marian Year, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima above the main altar was solemnly crowned by His Grace on the 11th December 1954.
Parish:
Votive Shrine Of The Immaculate Heart Of Mary is situated in Chennai. It is 10 KM from Parrys. This is one of the first shrines of the Archdiocese of Madras – Mylapore. The Present Parish Priest Rev. Fr.J.Maria Amala Raj is appointed in 2004 and Rev Fr.L.Amal Raj Assistant Parish Priest in year 2008.
Catholic population: 15,000~
Sub-Station with chapels
Participatory Structures
Associations
Other Activities
Institutions Under the parish
Contact Us
Votive Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
No.63, Halls Road, Kilpauk, Chennai – 600 010.
Tamilnadu, INDIA.
Tel: +91 44 26471510
For more information please visit: http://www.votiveshrine.com
The Parish Priest,
Sacred Heart Church,
Denkanikotta Road,
Near Railway Station,
Hosur, Krishnagiri-635 109,
Tamilnadu, India.
04344-223714
0091-9443513404 (Parish Priest),
0091-9629596279 (Asst. Parish Priest),
0091-9047495044 (Catechist)
For more information please visit: http://www.shchosur.com
St. Paul the hermit Chruch,
Tavasikullam,
Marambady,
Dindigul,
Tamilnadu, INDIA.
St. Antony’s church,
Samimuthanpatti,
Dindigul,
Tamilnadu, INDIA.
St. Aloysius Church,
Kosavapatti,
Dindigul,
Tamilnadu,
INDIA.
History of “Malai kovil”
In 1868 a small prayer hall was constructed on top of the hill in Agraharam by Rev Fr .Brikkot with the support of the Christian families. Holy mass and the procession were conducted in that prayer hall only twice a year. One among the 3 statues of Lourdu Annai that came to Tamil Nadu from France is now at Agraharam Malai Kovil. With the combined efforts and the hard work of the parish priests and the youths of the “Catholic Seva Sangam’ Mr. R Arocikasamy, Mr. C Raja Vaathiyar @ Savarimuthu, Mr. Siluvaimuthu, Mr. Chellakannu @ Anthony, Malai Kovil became a very beautiful place for worship. The youths cleared the shrubs around the Malai Kovil and made a pathway for the procession. Mother Mary’s procession is celebrated every year on 11th of Feb. 1958 was celebrated across the world as the jubilee of Mother Mary’s appearance in France. As part of the celebration Most Rev Bishop V.S Selvanathar selected Malai Kovil as the shrine of Salem Diocese. Under the supervision of Rev Fr. M Vargeese and the suggestion of Mr Santhappa the Grotto in the western side of the Malai Kovil was constructed. When Rev Fr. G Mooviale was the parish priest, Mr G.D Appavu from Pondicherry donated the Way of Cross Stations to Malai Kovil on 31.5.1968. From then, at 5.30 PM every Lent Friday Way of Cross and Holy Mass is offered in the Malai Kovil.
During the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Salem Diocese, Most Rev Bp Michael Duraisamy adorned Mother Mary with a golden crown. During the period of Rev Fr. S Arockiasamy, 2 Silver Jubilee arch gates were built: one in the Salem-Attur road and the other in Agraharam. Malai Kovil was named Lourdu Nagar. Western side of the Malai Kovil was extended during the period of Rev Fr. Xavier (1990-1993). 15th Station of the Way of Cross was constructed on the hill top during the period of Rev Fr.M Jegaraj(1993-1995). Also an alter depicting the last supper was constructed during his period. With the help of Rev Fr. K.S Lawrence from the Chennai Arch diocese pilgrim’s hall was opened on 8.12.1997. Later concrete road was laid around the Grotto. The parish saw many improvements after Rev Fr. Peter Francis was appointed the parish priest on 2001. In 2004, steps on the right and left side of the Grotto were constructed. To support the worshipers while climbing the steps a lengthy steel rail was fixed in the year 2005. Sun Shades were raised on both sides of the Grotto. Marriage hall and community hall constructed to serve the people needs are remarkable.
Agraharam Parish -“Holy Spirit Church”
History says that many countries were found in 18th century. Agraharam village was also formed in this 18th Century by Mr. Kaaliyapa Udayar. In 1702, Kaaliyapa Udayar, along with his family, servants and a Brahmin shifted from his village Veeranam to Agraharam. He built a temple for the goddess he took with him. His hardwork turned the forest in to a land that is suitable for cultivation. Attracted by this cultivation land few of his relatives and others from his native shifted to Agraharam. Kaaliyapa Udayar who was happily settled in Agraharam had a longing for a son to be his successor. He visited Uthariya Matha church in kakaveri where many miracles are witnessed by the believers. He was also blessed with a baby boy. As thanksgiving he renewed the roofing of the Kakaveri church. Also he and his family joined the Christian Faith. He was named Periyathambi after the PeriyaNayaki Matha.
This conversion earned him hatred from few of his relatives. But few others followed the footsteps of Periyathambi Udayar and joined the Christian Faith. In 1794, Rev Fr. Appothuva who was serving the Agraharam community paved way for the conversion of the Udayar from other Hindu religion. In 1820, a Christian lady , by her marriage with a man from different religion, brought her entire In Laws to her faith. Three more families from her husband’s village Athipaakam shifted to Agraharam. This way the Agraharam parish stared growing.
Priests from Paris visited Agraharam very often to preach the Word of God. But there was not a proper church for the priests to gather the people for prayer. In 1842, Rev Fr. Brikkot, purchased a land and laid the foundation for building a church, which was opposed by the people of other religion. After many hardships a church with Lady of Health as its patron was built and was blessed by Most Rev Bishop Poonan on 12.10.1846. Later, people belonging to the other religion shifted to the northern part of the village due to a fire accident. In 1868, in order to preach the Good News to those people, Rev Fr. Brikkot constructed a prayer hall on top of the hill in the situated in the northern part of the village. Rev Fr. Brikkot served the spiritual needs of the Agraharam people from 1868 to 1880. After him, older priests stayed in Agraharam to serve the people till 1930. Agraharam was still under the supervision of the Sevaipettai priests. Later Agraharam was made the sub parish of Sooramangalam. In 1939, to meet the increasing population, foundation for the present parish church was laid by Rev Fr. Joseph Baarel. On 31.8.1945 Agraharam was made a separate parish and Rev Fr. Matthew Thekadam was appointed as parish priest. In 1949 Fr Matthew Thekadam consecrated the church. Currently there are 2190 Christians living in the Agraharam parish.
Mass Schedule
First Saturday : 05.30 p.m. Car Procession of Mother Mary around the MalaiKovil road and Blessing of the Sick with the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction and Mass in Tamil.
All Saturdays : 07.00 a.m. Mass in Tamil.
Way of Cross at 5.30 p.m. on every Lent Fridays followed by the Holy Mass.
How to Reach ?
Lourdu Annai Shrine is located at Agraharam, A.N Mangalam village in Salem district. Salem is located in the middle of India’s southernmost state Tamil Nadu. It is around 390 KM from Tamilnadu state capital “Chennai” and 140 KM from “Coimbatore”.
By Bus:
From Salem old Bus stand to Karippatti -[Route # 74,44,10]
From Salem old Bus stand to A.N Mangalam -[Route # 37]
Salem New Bus stand to Karippatti
By Train:
Express: Chennai Egmore – Salem JN (Via Virudhachalam) 353 KM
Express: Chennai Central – Salem JN (Via Jolarpettai) 390 KM
Passenger: Virudhachalam JN – Salem JN (Via Vallapadi) 139 KM
Passenger: Salem JN – Virudhachalam JN(Via Vallapadi) 139 KM
Contact Us
The Parish Priest,
Holy Spirit Church,
Agraharam, A.N. Mangalam (P.O.),
Karippatti Via, Salem – 636 106.
PH: 0427 – 2482526
salemdiocese@gmail.com
Lourdu Annai Shrine,
Lourdu Nagar, Malaikovil,
Agraharam, A.N. Mangalam, (P.O.)
Karippatti Via, Salem – 636 106.
For more information please visit: http://lourduannai-salem.org/
