There are thousands of churches in India with their own architecture and traditions. Some CHURCHES are ancient, while others are still in use, helping their communities to date back. In fact, churches are present throughout the nation from hill stations to coastal areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travelers visit these churches not only for prayers but also to appreciate their architectural beauty & spend moments of solitude. Whether it is architecture from colonial times or the annual festivals held in these churches, travelers can see many fascinating things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christianity has an extremely impressive history in India, which dates back much earlier than the emergence of many European colonizers in the region. There is a story that Saint Thomas the Apostle arrived at the Malabar Coast in 52 AD, which means that some of the earliest Christian establishments were formed on Indian soil. With the emergence of Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British colonizers in India, church architecture emerged in the country. Different types of colonial influences brought different styles into this architectural tradition, such as Portuguese Baroque, French colonial, Indo-Gothic, and Neo-Gothic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At present, it is the Archaeological Survey of India that preserves most of these historical monuments & assures their preservation as historic monuments. That is why these historic churches have been preserved in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UNESCO Churches of India: In any discussion regarding UNESCO churches in India, the first thing that strikes the mind is the Basilica of Bom Jesus<\/a> located in Old Goa. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. The construction of this church started in the year 1594 & was completed in 1605. This church holds great importance in India due to its religious value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other gem of Old Goa is the Se Cathedral, which is built in honor of Saint Catherine and is one of the largest churches in India and Asia. It took about 80 years to build the church due to the huge dimensions and ambitions of the Portuguese. The most well-known thing about this church is its “Golden Bell” and Portuguese-Manueline architectural style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n St. Mary\u2019s Church at San Thome<\/a>, which lies in Chennai, India, is an example of a rare apostolic basilica in the world. The church was constructed over the grave of St. Thomas, an apostle. The present basilica is an example of neo-Gothic architecture constructed at the end of the 19th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many historians and religious scholars consider the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church in Palayur, Thrissur, to be the oldest church in India. It is believed to have been established by St. Thomas himself founded it in 52 AD, making it one of the oldest Christian churches in the world still in use. It is one of the seven churches he is said to have founded in Kerala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n St. Mary\u2019s Church of Fort St. George, built in the year 1680, is the oldest Anglican church in India. This uniqueness is due to the fact that the church has a fort-like structure with a bomb-proof roof, which was designed in such a way as to prevent cannonballs from hitting it. It has remarkable collections, including the Bible, published in 1660.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Located in the historic Horniman Circle, St. Thomas Cathedral<\/a> is the oldest church in Mumbai. Its foundation stone was laid in 1676, though it was consecrated in 1718. The cathedral is unique because it gave its name to the nearby Churchgate railway station, as it was once the entrance to the city’s fort. It received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award for its restoration work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A significant historic church in India, St. Francis CSI Church in Fort Kochi is the oldest European church in the country, built by the Portuguese Franciscans in 1503. It holds a unique place in history as the original burial site of the legendary explorer Vasco da Gama. His tombstone is still preserved inside the church, although his remains were eventually taken to Lisbon. The church has seen multiple rulers, Portuguese, Dutch, and British, each of whom left their mark, making it a silent witness to India’s colonial history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n St. Paul’s Cathedral in Kolkata is an excellent specimen of Indo-Gothic-style architecture. This cathedral was built in 1847 to suit the climate of West Bengal. It is also the first Episcopal church in Asia. The famous Indian painter, Nandalal Bose, created the stained glass panels of this cathedral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Christ Church, probably the most recognizable landmark of the town, was built in 1857 and is situated at the top of the ridge in Shimla. It is the second-oldest church in North India & one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic style. The church\u2019s distinctive pale butter-yellow front and its stained glass window designed by Lockwood Kipling, the father of Rudyard Kipling, stand out especially well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medak Cathedral is one of the largest churches in India and a fine example of Gothic Revival style. Consecrated in 1924, its stunning stained-glass triptych, which depicts the life of Christ, is considered one of the best in the world. The mosaic tiles used in its construction were imported all the way from Britain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This basilica in Fort Kochi is one of the eight minor basilicas in India and is celebrated for its spectacular Indo-European and Gothic architecture. First built by the Portuguese in 1505, it was reconstructed later with striking pastel frescoes, seven large canvas paintings, and beautiful stained-glass windows by Italian artist Brother Antonio Moscheni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church has been officially termed the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount. It is a church that is located on the top of a hill in Bandra and overlooks the Arabian Sea. Even though the present building was constructed in 1904, it has been visited by pilgrims for centuries before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is a quick guide to some of the best churches in India, organized by state:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Churches in Delhi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Churches in India provide a unique perspective that can enable one to understand the history of the country from an entirely different angle. They represent a magnificent architectural creation and a sanctuary for believers. At the same time, churches in India constitute an important part of its colonial history. No matter what your interests are, whether you are a pilgrim, an architecture enthusiast, or just someone interested in history, visiting churches to explore in India will be an enriching experience for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus, when you have an opportunity to travel to India, visit at least one church. In doing so, you will see a historic monument and take a walk through history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your trip involves visiting some of the most picturesque churches of India, then Travanya<\/a> <\/strong>can assist with all your flights. We make it possible for our customers to get the most affordable flights throughout India. If you are travelling for spiritual reasons, out of love for history, or simply for peace, our travel professionals are always available to help. CONTACT US NOW!<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
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The Oldest Churches in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Architectural Masterpieces Across India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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State-Wise Guide to Famous Churches<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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2. Churches in Kerala<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3. Churches in Chennai<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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4. Churches in Mumbai<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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5. Churches in Kolkata<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How to Reach Goa’s Churches | Flight Routes from Major Indian Cities<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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