10 Must-Visit Churches in India

The first destination on our list of churches in India brings us to Shimla. And when you reach the church road, the first thing you will notice is a picture-perfect view! This church, surrounded by lush greenery and mountains looks simply beautiful. The Neo-Gothic style and influence of British architecture further make the church an architectural gem. Once you enter the church, the five glass window will definitely catch your eyes. Each of these five windows represents hope, faith, charity, patience, fortitude and humility. What else? The pipe-organ! It is the biggest one in the Indian subcontinent! When you plan to visit the church, we will suggest winter. Because the church and this hill station are wrapped in snow and become surreal! Also, remember the nearest airport is in Chandigarh!

In the heart of Kolkata city resides St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of the finest examples of the Indo-Gothic style of architecture built by Britishers in this country. And it is also Asia’s very first Episcopalian church. While we are talking about the architectural brilliance of the church, the arched windows with stained glass deserve a special mention. Time to enter the church and upon entering, you will be mesmerised by the frescoes. Sit inside the church and enjoy the peace. After that, you can take a walk in the nicely maintained churchyard.

We are talking about churches and we don’t visit Pondicherry, is that even possible? Well, Pondicherry has many visit-worthy churches, but our today’s destination is Immaculate Conception Cathedral. A small chapel before and now a major tourist attraction of the city! When you are here, the first thing you will notice is the stunning statue of Our Lady holding infant Jesus in her arms. Once you have offered your prayers here, look up and you will see one of the finest examples of French architecture. Look closely and you will see an ionic above and Doric columns. And inside await eight exquisite barrel vaults and a central dome housing eight openings.

For our next church, board a flight to Coimbatore and then reach Coonoor. Here you will find a cream coloured, dome-shaped beauty, reflecting British architecture. The outside of the church has a peaceful rustic vibe with tall pine trees and a simple garden. The inside of the church is equally calming as the outside. But the key attraction has to be the stained glass windows dating back to the British colonial era. Another interesting fact is the church being an offbeat destination. That means there is no huge crowd and you can spend some moments in tranquillity!

We are in the land of beaches, but this time our destination is the Basilica of Bom Jesus. This hundreds of years old church is now a proud name in the list of India’s World Heritage Sites. And it goes without saying, there is an old-world charm around the church that draws many tourists around the year. What makes it popular among architecture lovers is its Baroque style built and Portuguese influence. Whether you have a passion for architecture or not, flooring of marble and precious stones, the altar highlighted with gold work and the overall artistic decor will make a special place in your heart!

An age-old church, standing in the middle of deodar trees and complete serenity. Yes, the church looks like an abandoned structure, (although it is well-maintained) but it is the raw beauty that captivates each visitor’s mind. We know the architecture buff in you must be wondering, the church was built in Neo-Gothic architecture. And the major crowd-pleasers are the Belgian stained glass windows, the brass oil lamps and the polished wood of the altar railing.

This basilica in Kochi on our list of the most spiritual places in India hasn’t always been a basilica. The Portuguese built this church in the year 1505 and later in the year 1558, this was promoted to Basilica by then Pope. The moment you lay your eyes on this basilica, the traditional Gothic architecture will charm you. What’s more? Frescoes, murals, canvas paintings and stained glass windows, the list goes on!

Since you are already in Kochi and Alleppey (Alappuzha) is just two hours away from the Kochi airport, why don’t you hit the roads to Alleppey and visit this basilica. After all, it is the largest shrine of Saint Sebastian in the world. While we can go on and on about the interior woodwork and overall architecture, we must talk about the 10-day long festival, Arthunkal Perunnal. Every year in January, the festival is celebrated with much fervour and when you plan to visit this basilica, you must come around the festival!

Well, a few kilometres from the Kochi airport, there is another church nestled in Thrissur that you must visit. Why? Firstly, its Gothic architecture is simply gorgeous and secondly, it is the tallest church in India. You can actually see the steeple of the basilica from any corner of the town. There is more to it! The murals that adorn the interiors and ceiling are breathtaking. You will also find the beautiful images on the wall, showcasing scenes from religious scriptures alluring!

For the final destination on our list of must-visit churches in India, take a flight to Tiruchirapalli and then come to the coastal town of Velankanni. Built on the Bay of Bengal’s sandy shores, this church will be a treat to your eyes! Decked up in all white, this Gothic structure boasts of cultural harmony. And that harmony is reflected in the statute of Mother Mary dressed in saree and traditional Indian jewellery. And if you ask us, witnessing this multicultural, spiritual place will be a once in a lifetime opportunity!

So this was our list of the cultural tourists places in India and as we can see, each church on this list is unique in its own way. Which one are you visiting first?