Chronicles from Madurai and around..

Guest Blog Post by Sona Bala

Idaikattur, a historical place, where two different faiths co-exist, from time immemorial. A place still unknown to many in Madurai itself is a serene village, 36 kms from the temple city. Located on the National Highway from Madurai to Rameshwaram, the village is mainly known for its fabulous church built in Gothic architectural style which is a replica of RHEMS cathedral of France.

The church, known as the Sacred Heart Shrine, was built in 1894 AD by a French missionary Fr. Ferdinand Celle SJ. The parish priest is known to have traveled all along to France to arrange for funds for the construction of the church. The major contribution rendered for the holy building was by Mary Anne.

She was suffering from a severe heart complaint and was advised by three Roman Catholic ladies to have Novena prayer for nine days. Mary Anne had novena prayer for the secret heart of Jesus and soon after five days of prayer she was fully healed. She immediately decided to build a church. So when she heard of Fr. Ferdinand Celle SJ’s is arranging for donations for the construction of a church she gave him 2000 franks for the holy edifice.

Believed to be built by angels, one can see around 153 depictions of angels in and around the church. The most spectacular thing about the holy monument is the relics of forty saints in four elliptical shaped wooden bowls, which rest over the wooden heart, in the main altar portion which is strikingly beautiful to look at.

As one descends into the fabulous church, he can see the inner gothic arches resting over the columns embedded with ribs its corner rising up to the domed roof. Two hundred different types of moulded bricks and tiles of lime martyr which was used for its decoration adds to its stunning beauty. The other key design features includes the remarkable windows which have been decorated with small brick pillars adjoined with hallow flower bricks and stained glass works.

The main altar of the building with the divine statues of God, the father holding his only crucified son Jesus by his hands is eminently fortifiable. The Holy Spirit surrounded by angels mesmerizes every visitor.

The huge 45 feet high gothic facade of the Sacred Heart Shine is another major attraction. On the northern and southern entrance of the building one can view the stained glass work representing the historical events of the conversion from Hinduism to Christianity given by St. John de Brito to king Kilavan Sethupathi’s son in law, Kattayadevan and St. Brito’s sentence of death given by the king Kilavan Sethupathi.

The tranquility inside is awesome and the gothic arches decorated with beads, flowers and garlands is magnificent. We can find devotees from different religions offering prayers at this ancient church with firm belief that the almighty will surely hear their prayers.

Another incredible attraction of the place is the navagraha temple which is believed to be the place where the renowned Siddhar Idaikadaar lived and arranged the nine planets (nava graha). During a terrible draught, it was siddhar idaikadar who arranged the nine planets in such a way that no two planets will face each other. This arrangement of planets brought heavy rains to the earth and the plants flourished. Life was back to normal then.

One can reach this holy place by city bus from Madurai’sPeriyar bus stand or any bus that goes from Madurai to Rameshwaram or Paramkudi. Get down at Muthenendal stop from where you can take riksha or city bus to reach Idaikattur.