Religious
Places in & Around Ooty
Outline
The Mariamman temple is
located near the market in Ooty. Mariamman is the local deity of the region. It
is dedicated to Mariamman, the Hindu Goddess of rain.
Ooty Mariamman Temple
Festival is celebrated in the month of April. The mother Goddess, Mariamman is
considered to be a form of Kaali, and is also referred to as Mahamaayi or
Seethala Gowri. On the day of the festival, thousands of devotees visit the
temple from various parts of the country to witness the festival. During the
festival, devotees walk barefoot over a pit of burning coal and make lamps from
grounded rice and offer to the deity.
Ooty Mariamman Temple is
dedicated to Goddess Mariamman, Goddess Kali and Goddess
Katteri. Ooty Mariamman Temple festival is a major car
festival in the region. Goddess is taken out in procession in various forms -
Durga, Kamakshi, Parvathi, Meenakshi, Rajarajeswari, Heddhai Amman and
Bhagavathi.
Ooty Mariamman Temple
Goddess Durga represents three powers – Itcha Shakti, Gnana Shakti and Kriya
Shakti. Mari, Kali and Katteri represent the three Shaktis in the temple.
It is very rare that all the three Shaktis are present in a single temple.
Goddess Kali is not her furious form in the temple. She is calm and benign.
The temple is unique as the
Navgrahas in the temple are present with their consorts. Devotees offer black
sari, cradles and lamps in the temple. Annadanam is another important offering
made in the temple. Mother blesses devotees with good health. Prayers offered
to childless couples.
Mudikayiru, a special
thread, prepared with Mantras in the Katteri Amman Temple is
believed to protect devotees from evil looks, illness, magic spells, and
witchcraft. Children and women wear the thread. Mudikayiru also protects
cows and ox. The temple is located in the main city center in Ooty.
Mariamman temple, Ooty
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Proper name:
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Mariamman
temple
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Tamil:
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மாரியம்மன் கோவில், உதகை
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Location
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Country:
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State:
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District:
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Location:
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Elevation:
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2,240 m
(7,349 ft)
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Coordinates:
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Architecture
and culture
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Primary
deity:
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Important
festivals:
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Ooty
Mariamman Temple Festival
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Architectural
styles:
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Number of
temples:
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1
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Website:
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The Mariamman temple (Tamil: மாரியம்மன் கோவில்) is located near the market in Ooty, in the
state of Tamil Nadu, India. Mariamman is the local deity of the region. It is dedicated to Mariamman, the Hindu Goddess
of rain.
Legend
An incident is narrated
related with the formation of this temple. According to it every Tuesday
merchants from Coimbatore came to this region to trade with the local tribals.
On one of this day two sisters travelling from north reached market. They had
divine look and manner. When they asked for a place to stay, they were told to
stay under a nearby tree. They did not know that the sisters were Goddesses. A
lightning or flash of light appeared near the tree and the sisters disappeared.
Then the people understood that the sisters were divine forms and built a
temple for Goddess Kaliamman and Mariamman together.
It is the Mariamman temple
seen today. It is the only place where both goddesses are seen together. Even
today people gather at market on Tuesday and worship Goddess Mariamman on their
way returning from market.
Temple Festival
Ooty
Mariamman Temple Festival is celebrated in the month of April. Mariamman, the mother Goddess is widely considered to be a form of the goddess Kaali. Mariamman is also referred to as Seethala Gowri or Mahamaayi.
A festival honouring the goddess is held in the temple annually, which is
visited by thousands of devotees from across the country. One of the important
events in the festival includes devotees walking barefoot over burning coal to
show their devotion to the goddess. The devotees also make oil lamps from
grounded rice and offer them to the goddess.
Timing:
Morning Darshan Time is from: 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Evening Darshan Time is from: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Annamalai
Ashram Temple was founded by Guru Krishanandaji, where people of all classes,
castes and nationality do "Anna-Dana" to the people who come for
worshipping Lord Muruga during Karthigai days every month. There is a waiting
list of over hundred people to do "Anna-Dana". It is calm, serene and
picturesque location with pure fresh air surrounded by green tea estates
planted with silver oak trees making it a suitable and congenial place for
practicing meditation.
Kavadi
Festival is celebrated here. A floating participation of over 70,000 devotes
are reported on this day. The Annamalai Temple is situated at a
distance of approximately 20 kms from Ooty and is popularly referred to by the
name of Annamalai Murugan Temple of Lord Muruga, also known as the 7th
Hill house of the Lord. The Annamalai Temple is a place of great importance and
religious significance amongst the worshippers of Lord Muruga.
The
short scenic 20 kms drive from Ooty to Kundah or 30 kms scenic drive from
Coonoor to Kundah Dam or to Manjoor Village that offers a number of pleasant
experiences en route that is filled with several interesting places to view
along the majestic Nilgiris Mountain road both ways. As you arrive at Kundah or
Manjoor, you can ask for directions to the Annamalai Temple, from the local
villagers who will be more than happy to assist you.
It
is in Kundah where the Annamalai Murugan Temple stands
formidably receiving a large crowd of devotees even from as far as Coimbatore,
Mysore and other neighbouring states.
The Annamalai
Temple also attracts even more devotees during the Lord Murugan
Festival as they throng to this Temple premises to offer their prayers or
gratitude. People also make offerings to appease the Lord to either bless them
or fulfill their wishes.
The
Hilltop where the Annamalai Murugan Temple stands is quite serene and exudes a
calm ambience that you would usually experience amidst the sanctity of Gods and
Goddesses. Apart from its tranquil and peaceful environ, the Annamalai Murugan
Temple is also as picturesque as any tourist spot around Ooty that showcases a
locale surrounded by verdant green tea plantations and dotted with dense Silver
Oak trees that adds a countryside frame to the region.
The
word ‘Annamalai’ means ‘Food Hill’ and this word was primarily derived from a
religious belief and point of view that good food always assist in maintaining
good health and a heart absent of impure feelings and hence an equally healthy
mind as well which is absent of any impure thoughts.
A
pure thinking mind is the key to attaining Moksha or Self Enlightenment. For
this very reason, the Annamalai Temple has been religiously supplying free food
to thousands of devotees and the needy ones, every month, for over 30 years now
and still continues to do so.
Charity
by means of free food supply is a way for the Temple authorities to give back
to the less fortunate society and especially the ones who have been
unconditionally serving the Annamalai Murugan Temple without expecting anything
in return and also assisted in pushing the Temple to its present state of
dignity that it holds amongst other Indian States and the world across.
The
premises of the Annamalai Temple atop the Nilgiri Hills is a picturesque
location that lends the perfect and complaisant venue for meditation and also
to unwind and breathe in the fresh mountain air which is in fact good for
sustaining a healthy body and mind and hence is strongly recommended for people
with hypertension and those who lead a stressful work life.
More
important from the tourist attraction point of view, the Annamalai Murugan
Temple offers a spectacular view of the surrounding region from the Temple site
as it is set atop a hill offering an excellent vantage point. Close to the
Temple is an observatory from where the public is offered magnificent panoramic
views of Ooty and the Nilgiris.
Transportation
to the Annamalai Temple near Ooty is of no worry as there are several buses
plying from the Ooty Central Bus to this area. Alternatively, you can either
hire a private taxi cab to drive you to this location or book an excursion tour
from Ooty which is in fact preferable for a hassle-free travel and hence
allowing you to fully enjoy the tour rather than worry on how to get back to
your hotel in Ooty.
Address: Annamalai Ashram Trust, Kil Kundha Post, The
Nilgiris - 643 219, Tamil Nadu, India.
Contact Numbers: + 91 – 423 – 250 9353 & + 91 – 9442 342 343
Contact Numbers: + 91 – 423 – 250 9353 & + 91 – 9442 342 343
Elk Hill Murugan Temple
The
Elk Hill Murugan Temple situated on Elk hill from where it derives its name is
a notable site and is considered to be placed on one of the most picturesque
hills in Ooty surrounded by verdant beauty and the Nilgiris Hills of Tamil
Nadu. The Murugan Temple is dedicated to its prime deity, Lord Muruga which is
crowded with devotees who throng this Temple during January and February for
the famous Thaipusam festival.
Devotees
throng this temple during the months of January and February for the Thaipusam
festival. They carry with them brass vessels filled with milk, which is meant
to be offered to the lord. Some of them also carry kavadi, (palanquins), which
is decorated with flowers, peacock feathers and brass bells.
Besides
the multitudinous tourist attraction, there is no dearth of pilgrim attractions
in Ooty. One of such popular pilgrim places to visit in Ooty is the Nasiyan
Jain temple, located on the Prithvi Raj Road. The temple is dedicated to the
first Jain Trithankara, Rishabhdeoji.
Though
the construction of the temple began in the year 1864, it was opened for public
only in the year 1895. Thousands of tourists flock here every year to not only
pays homage to the revered but also to explore the museum situated alongside
the temple. This temple is revered most by the Digamber sect of Jains and is
gaining immense popularity among the followers of other sects as well.
St.
Stephen's Church
Outline
St.
Stephen's Church is located on the road to Mysore in Ooty, in the state of
Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris district.
The church features a pew with a raised chancel. Stained glass paintings are
featured on the eastern side and behind the chancel, depicting Mary holding
baby Jesus in her arms and the crucifixion of Christ among others. A large
life-like painting of the Last Supper is depicted on the western wall, above
the paneled doorways.
The
vestry is in the cellar down the chancel. The pulpit is to the left of the
chancel and a small flight of steps is attached to it. Antique hammer like
structures (four in number), tied on to inverted V shaped planks with ropes are
installed instead of the big metallic bell in the attic. Pulleys attached with
solid wires operate the hammers. The entire structure is housed on a tall,
sturdy stool, which is open on all the fourth sides. When the wires are pulled
from the floor, a rhythmic musical sound is produced.
The
oldest Church in the Nilgiri, St Stephen Church is located near the house of
John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty. The Gothic structure still preserves its
Victorian ambiance. The entire church is wonderfully built out of wood, its
carvings and has stained glass windows giving it a different lure altogether.
Some
of the attractions of this church are exquisite wooden architecture, the
painting of “Last Supper’, stained glass windows with various scenes like the
crucifixion of Christ and Mother Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms. This
church has an unusual feature of four ‘hammer’ like structures, tied on
inverted-V shaped wooden planks using wires. When these are pulled from
the floor, they produce musical sound. After the independence, the church came
under “CSI” Church of South India. It is interesting to note that the church
does not show any wear and tear even after so many years. St.Stephen’s Church
continues to captivate tourists and is one of the chief attractions of Ooty. A
visit to this wonderful house of worship is a great experience.
St.
Stephen Church is the Gothic church of the place and is one of the best known
colonial structures of Ooty. People gather in church and offer sacred prayers
from the bottom of the heart. The true feelings of the people reveal the fact
that still somewhere on earth, the God is still alive.
The
church was constructed and carved totally from wood and is the best
architectural model from wood. The coolness in the church is wonderful as the
whole place is made of wood. It's indeed a great experience staying a closet
made from the pure wood obtained from Tipu Sultan's palace and was brought at
this place with the aid of series of elephants.
St.
Stephen's Church is prime tourist attraction in Ooty situated on the Ooty
- Mysore Road, recognised as one of the oldest and ancient churches in the
Nilgiris District and the first ethereal Christian Church to be erected in the
Nilgiris. St. Stephen’s Church is a Gothic Church and is best known for its
formidable and stunning colonial architecture seen only in Ooty and a few other
places in India.
Highly
visited by tourists and visitors just to catch a glimpse of its imposing
structure still intact and operational, St. Stephen’s Church is where people
visit to offer their prayers and a few to make a wish within a serene
atmosphere where you truly feel the presence of the almighty.
St.
Stephen's Church, Ooty
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Location
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Website
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History
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Founded
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January 25, 1830
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Founder(s)
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Dec 5, 1830
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Architecture
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John James Underwood
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Administration
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History
St.Stephen’s
Church of Ooty, dates back to the 19th century. It is one of the churches built
under British Raj. Stephen Rumbold Lushington, who was the Governor of Madras,
laid the foundation for the church on April 23, 1829.
St.
Stephen's Church is
entirely carved and constructed from wood transforming it into one of the
pioneer architectural church models made of wood that exudes certain calmness
thus lending a soothing ambience to the entire place. Historically, this pure
wood was obtained from the Palace of Tipu Sultan, then the Emperor of the
Mysore Kingdom after he was defeated and killed on 4th May 1799 while trying to
defend the fort of Srirangapattinam. The wood was placed on large wagons and
was brought in by means of a series of elephants.
Tipu
Sultan, also referred to as the Tiger of Mysore was a fearless Leader and an
implacable enemy of the British and hence in order to retain the Nilgiris which
was then largely dictated by political and colonial and compulsions, the
British first vanquished Tipu Sultan in 1799 and then captured the Nilgiri
hills under their military control for strategic reasons. Even the loyal troops
of Tipu Sultan were completely crushed for the fear of them ganging up to turn
their territory into an insurgent and unconquerable site.
After
the British took over the Nilgiris, John Sullivan, then the Collector of the
Coimbatore District, recommended a note to the British parliament on 21st Feb
1832 that they establish of a full-fledged military station in the Nilgiris.
Meanwhile, the Nilgiris, then spelt as ‘Neilgherries’, witnessed a steady
influx of British colonists who visited to acclimatize themselves within the
lofty Nilgiris Mountains and soon made this region their home.
It
was in 1829, when Governor Stephen Lushington visited Ooty and addressed his
desire for the establishment of a Common Church to cater to the hundred odd
white Anglo-Saxon Protestants and their families residing in Ooty. He chose a
suitable site which was situated in the long and abandoned corner atop a swamp
that once belonged to an extinct Toda Tribe. This area was cleared to make way
for construction of the famous churchyard.
The
foundation stone was laid on 23rd April 1829 by Stephen Lushington without
prior permission from the Directors of the British East India Company. They
expressed their annoyance and dispatched a note to Lushington stating that the
expenses for this Church was a joint investment of the Company and the Church
Missionary Society aided by private subscriptions that computed to Rs. 8000
then. Later, they learned that the expenditure was entirely borne by the
Company which surmounted to Rs. 24,000. Capt. J. J. Underwood, the architect
and engineer of St. Stephen’s Church was also blamed for exceeding the
estimated expenses. Later, Governor Lushington decided that the Palace of Tipu
Sultan be pulled down to render construction material to complete St. Stephen’s
Church and the proposed Grammar School Building and several other public
buildings. The Timber was transported via the old Seegur Ghat Road, an ancient
Toda and Badaga pastoral migration pathway since the present Kalhatty Ghat road
was then non-existent. The Timber and other construction supplies were
traversed past the Sigur foothill right up the Hulathi Badaga village and further
on to Marlimund to finally arrive at Ooty [Ootacamund] with the aid of
Elephants.
The
Church was finally completed the following year in 1830 and was named as St.
Stephen’s Church in honour of Governor Stephen Lushington who was responsible
for erecting this Sanctuary for the Christians of Ooty.
The
church dates back to the 19th century. Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the then Governor of Madras, who keenly felt the need for a church in Ooty
exclusively for the British, laid the foundation for the church on April 23,
1829, to coincide with the birthday of King George IV. St. Stephen's Church was consecrated by John Matthias Turner, Bishop of Calcutta, on November 5, 1830. It was opened to the public communion on Easter Sunday April 3, 1831. It came under the Church of South India in 1947. The architect in charge was John James Underwood,
Captain, Madras Regiment.
Architecture
The
massive main beam and other timber in the church were taken from Tipu Sultan's
palace on the island of Srirangapatnam. The material was transported up the Sigur ghat.
The architect was Captain J. J. Underwood and the construction cost about Rs
24000 at the time. The foundation stone was laid on April 1829. A painting
depicting the Last Supper is displayed on the wall on the western side, which
is situated above paneled doors. The church also features stained glass windows
depicting, among other scenes, the crucifixion of Christ and Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms. Instead of the usual bell in the tower,
4 hammer like structures are tied on inverted-V shaped wooden planks using
wires, which when pulled from the floor, produce a musical sound. The church
also has a pulpit with a flight of steps to the left of the chancel,
a pew with a chancel in a raised position and a vestry.
Timings
The
visiting hours are from 10 am to 1 pm and 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm each day. On every
Sunday, there is service from 8.00 am to 11:00 am.
Holy
Trinity Church
Churches
are omnipresent with Ooty however, there are a few Churches that form a
significant masterpiece of this Hill Station and have existed for several
decades. The Holy Trinity Church in Ooty is known as the oldest church in Ooty
and is considered as a cultural representation of the city and its Christian
community.
The
Holy Trinity Church has been rightly pronounced as one of the most important
and oldest landmark of Ooty that stands quietly yet formidably on the Summer
House Road in Ooty.
The
Holy Trinity Church depicts a Tudor appearance and is indicated by tarnished
stained glass windows, cryptic carvings and peaceful cemeteries. This Church
gained its recognition in 1858 during which it became a faithful and committed
Church and a temporary Holy abode serving the spiritual needs of the
congregation.
This
church gained its recognition way back in the year 1858 and since then it has
been a place of holy sojourn. Earlier the premise of the church was used for
prayers only on Sundays. The famous Tamil scholar and translator, George Uglao
Pope, is known to have been a part of this church since its inception. One can
even find some of his work serving as Chaplain during the years 1958 and 1959.
At present around a congregation of 700 families are connected with this holy
abode. If you are planning a visit to Ooty, then visiting the Holy Trinity
Church is an inevitable option.
It became
a dedicated church from 1858. The premises of the Holy Trinity Church was
earlier used by Indian Christians only for Sunday prayer sessions and as a
School during weekdays, however, improvements were noticed only after a famous
Tamil scholar and translator named George Uglow Pope who is also credited for
being a part of this church since its inception, introduced prayer sessions in
other languages as well.
George
Uglow Pope was popularly referred to as Rev. G. U. Pope or just G. U. Pope. He
was born on 24th April 1820 at Prince Edward Island in Nova Scotia and when he
was just an infant, his family moved to England. In 1839 and at the age of 19,
he left for South India and arrived at Sawyerpuram near Tuticorin district of
Tamil Nadu in South India. He became a Scholar of Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit
and also set up several schools where he taught English, Latin, Hebrew,
Philosophy and Mathematics.
Rev.
George Uglow Pope spent several years in Tamil Nadu as a Christian missionary
and is credited for translating many Tamil texts into English of which his most
popular work of translation include Thirukkural and Tiruvachagam into English
which was completed on 1st September 1886. The Royal Asiatic Society recognized
his efforts and presented him with a coveted Gold Medal for his work in 1906.
He also headed the Bishop Cotton Boys' School in Bangalore before he returned
to Oxford. He delivered his last sermon on 26th May 1907 and passed away on
12th February 1908.
Rev.
G. U. Pope was buried at the St Sepulchre's Cemetery situated at Jericho in
Central Oxford, England. His Tamil Literary work still inspires many and his
world renowned Thirukkural into English language translation work in fact
happened during the inception of the Holy Trinity Church where he also served
as a Chaplain for a year between 1858 and 1859.
A congregation of around 700 families is
associated with the church. Seven Churches are attached to the
Pastorate.St.Thomas church, Ooty, St.John`s church, Kandal, Immanuel Church, Kenthorai,
All saints Church, Toda colony, St.Paul`s church, Muthorai, Christ Church, Thomund,
Good Shephard church, H.P.F.Rev. Jerome is the Presbyter.
Kandal
Cross
Kandal
Cross is a Roman Catholic Church. It is well known for making the wishes of
people come true. The church is recognized for curing the ill and blessing the
people making it a big pilgrim place where prayers are offered on every Friday
evening. It is considered to be the Holy Shrine of the place. It is also the
Calvary of Tamilnadu and is located near Udhagamandalam.
It
is renowned place for the people of the region and is well known for the wishes
of people coming true. That is what the belief of the people is and is known
for curing the ill, blessing the people and wishes coming true. People light
the candle in the church and wish something from the bottom of their heart, with
the great hope of it coming true. It's a great pilgrim place where sacred
prayers are always offered on Friday evening.
The
cross erected here is a relic of the true cross, which was brought to India by
an Apostolic delegate. Special Novena Prayers and Holly Masses are offered
every Friday. The annual feast is held on 3rd May. Kandal Cross is about 3 Km
west of Ooty Railway Station.
One
of the most visited places in Udhagamandalam is Kandal Cross Shrine. This Cross
Shrine is in rectangular shape and is spread in five acres of land at the
outskirts of Ooty which is surrounded by soil, dirt and marshy land.
The
Kandal Cross Shrine is located about 3 km away from the Ooty railway station.
This Shrine is considered very holy by Roman Catholics and is also referred to
as “Calvary of Tamil Nadu”. The followers believe that it showers heavenly
blessings on the tourists and pilgrims who visit the shrine. In this shrine,
there is a life size bronze crucifix which was imported from France and
installed on a boulder in 1933 to commemorate the 19th centenary of the
Redemption of Mankind.
The
Kandal Cross Shrine is established in the year 1933 and is an important
pilgrimage center for all the Nilgiri Catholics. This Cross Shrine is also
called as the Jerusalem of the East. On 3rd of May, every year the grand feast
is held which attracts a lot of crowd. On this day pilgrims and tourists come
in large numbers and all the roads in the hill station leads to the Shrine. A
car procession always marks the occasion. On 3rd may special buses employed
every year by the Tamil Nadu State Transport. The local Police take
precautionary steps in the view of crowds and important people.
Ooty
also have some other pilgrimage points in the form of churches like St.
Stephen’s Church, St.Marys Church, St. Theresas Church, Holy Trinity Church,
Sacred Heart Church and Thomas Church. But Kandal Cross Shrine occupies a place
on eminence. Pilgrims and devotees come in large number to attend the special
Novena Prayers and Holy Masses organized every Friday at the Kandal Cross.
It
is the first Catholic Church in Ooty. In 1837 Rev. Fr. Bigot Beauclair visited
Ootacamund and within 2 years the construction of a Church was commenced which
is now St. Joseph's Primary School. As the catholic population of Ootacamund
increased, the original church was found inadequate and a much larger one was
constructed in 1870 which is the present church of St. Mary's.
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In
1934 the chapel of St. Joseph's Industrial School served as the parish church
for the faithful of St. Theresa's Parish. In 1935 it was bifurcated from St.
Mary's Parish, Ooty as a separate parish. The foundation stone for the present
church was laid on 15th March 1964. On 6th June 1965 the present church was blessed
by Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Padiyara and renovated in 1979.
Union
Church
The
Union Church in Ooty is a place of worship for evangelical believers and the
church is located inside a 155 year old heritage building. The Union Church was
constructed in the 19th Century and resembles a typical ancient colonial
architecture of design that marks it as a formidable, majestic and magnificent
site in Ooty.
The
Union Church is considered as one of the important spiritual as well as tourist
spots in Ooty that should not be missed. Being one of the oldest churches in
the Nilgiris District, the Union Church attracts a large crowd of tourists
every year who visit and offer prayers for wishes to be fulfilled.
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It
is often known that these ancient Churches in Ooty marked the arrival of
Christianity and henceforth the consequences and causes of a large religious
infiltration that took place during the colonial era in Ooty. The spiritual
needs of people who willingly walked into the Christianity faith forced many
churches to crop up in Ooty between the 18th and 20th Century including the
Union Church that serves as a platform of worship for the numerous evangelical
believers residing in Ooty.
The
Union Church has been served by numerous Pastors including C. T. Studd, who was
a famous English Cricketer.
C.
T. Studd gained his cricketing Blue at Trinity College in Cambridge where he
became the Captain of the University Cricket Team by 1883 following in the
footsteps of his older brother G. B. Studd who held the captaincy of the team, the
previous year.
C.
T. Studd firmly retained his commitment to religion and against the advice of
his family; he arranged to travel to China as a Christian missionary along with
6 of his university friends who joined along for this extraordinary journey.
C.
T. Studd is credited for running the Union Church in Ooty from 1900 to 1906 and
he even joined a cricket tour in 1894 and made two double centuries. He
returned to England but still felt the need for continuing his overseas gospel
work and later in 1910, he sailed to Africa and ran a mission in Khartoum after
which he traveled to Southern Sudan via a malarial and sickness infected
country.
C.
T. Studd then planned his next crusade to the core of the Belgian Congo where
he trekked for nine months and finally set up a mission at Niangara situated in
the heart of Africa in 1913. His wife who resided in England was active in
gospel work and known to be a fine and powerful speaker. She organized a
headquarter of missionary projects worldwide including travelling to and
preaching in Australia, Canada, the U.S.A., Tasmania, New Zealand and South
Africa as well.
Sacred Heart Church
The
church gained the status of diocesan Cathedral only after Ooty was categorized
as a separate diocese on 3rd of July 1955. In the year 1989, the church
underwent a large renovation after the accident in which the roof of the
sanctuary had fallen. Sacred Heart Church is located on the Havelock road in
Bandishola, Ooty. In the city that is known for its scenic delights, the Sacred
Heart Church holds a charm of its own.
St George's Church
St.
George's Church is a Raj relic. It is an excellent example of a typical
Cantonment Church. It was built in 1826 and was designed by Colonel
J.T.Boileau. It is made of yellow ochre stucco with white dressings. The
entrance of the church must be approached through a small vestibule with
niches. The interior contains six Ionic columns that carry a slightly vaulted
roof. These columns divide the interior into a central nave and side aisles.
The chancel at the east end was altered to a more gothic style at a later date
with a carved white sandstone screen, and the altar was enriched with marble
inlay work
The
deep ochre stucco with white offsets the beauty of the church while the
entrance is through a vestibule that has niches. The vaulted roof is supported
by ionic columns and decorated with Gothic sculptures. The beautiful altar is
of pure marble inlay work while the Church surrounded with trees radiates a
feeling of serenity and peace.
Timing:
Monday - Friday: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM.
Saturday: 9.00 AM -6.00 PM.
Sunday: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM.
Public Holidays: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM.
Thomas Church
A
tour to Ooty is incomplete without paying a visit to the St. Thomas Church. A
compelling view of the Ooty Lake can be sighted from the St. Thomas Church.
The
main attraction at St. Thomas Church is the memorial of St. Thomas. It boasts
of being the tallest memorial in Ooty, with huge pillar that is crowned by a
cross. One can find this pillar on the grave of William Patrick Adam, who was
the governor of Madras and passed away in Ooty in the year 1881.
The
tranquil setting of the St. Thomas Church definitely compels many to visit this
site. It homes the tallest Memorial in Ooty of St. Thomas that beckons tourists
to step into the precincts of this ancient Church.
William
Patrick Adam 14 September 1823 – 24 May 1881) was a British colonial
administrator and Liberal politician. He was twice First Commissioner of Works
under William Ewart Gladstone and also served briefly as Governor of Madras
between 1880 and 1881.
Another
tourist spot of St. Thomas Church that attracts many visitors is the Graveyard
of St. Thomas Church that also served as a movie shooting site for the famous
and renowned ‘A Passage to India’, a Film based on a novel by E. M. Forster set
against the backdrop of the Indian independence movement during the British Raj
in the 1920s. This Movie was directed by David Lean in the year 1984.
The
Graveyard of the St. Thomas Church also offers a compelling sight set adjacent
to the Lake of Ooty and hence will definitely catch the eye. As the name
suggest, this Parish is dedicated to St. Tomas and was once a sub-parish to the
Sacred Heart Cathedral in Ooty.
On
1st September 2008, St. Thomas Church was segregated from its parent parish and
was assigned as an independence parish with Rev. Fr. A. Denis as the first
Parish Priest serving a catholic congregation of 190 families. It comprises of
the Religious order of the Sisters of the Divine Savior also known as SDS in
short. This Church also runs the St. Thomas Nursery & Primary School
Educational Centre that greatly benefitted the parish congregation and
residents of Ooty as well.
Big Mosque
The Big
Mosque, situated in Lower Bazaar in Ooty, is also known as the Wallajah Mosque
and is well placed for being a sacred and religious site for spiritual
attainment for the entire Muslim community residing in Ooty, its surrounding
regions and the Muslims from other parts of India and the globe as well.
The Big Mosque is visited by multitudes of Muslim Devotees
who throng here to offer their prayers and seek blessings or pray for their
wishes to be granted. The Mosque
in Ooty is a
religiously historic pilgrimage site and is also considered as one of the most
attractive shrines in South India. This Mosque in Ooty is gradually attaining
worldwide attention and recognition owing to the large number of tourist
footfall from across the world visiting Ooty just to get a glimpse of this
sacred shrine and other historical religious centers scattered around the
region as well.
The
Big Mosque is renowned as the only prime Muslim pilgrimage site in Ooty and its
surrounding areas in South India apart from the numerous pilgrimage centers of
different religious sects that also form a part of the tourist attractions in
Ooty. The Big Mosque and several other religious sites in Ooty are aptly placed
amidst the serene magnificence of Ooty, a quaint hilly region that has earned a
name for also being the most visited hill station in India owing to its umpteen
pilgrimage destinations and local attractions.
During
the month of Ramadan and on the festive days of Eid-ul-Fitr and Bakrid, the Big
Mosque in Ooty witnesses a large influx of global crowd of Muslim devotees who
throng the Big Mosque for prayers and to attend the grand celebrations and
festivities that follows throughout the day accompanied with sweet treats and
delectable and authentic Muslim cuisines.
This
Historic Big Mosque in Ooty is therefore recognized as one of the most
attractive religious sites in South India and the entire country as well, that
one must visit or at least catch a glimpse of, during your visit to Ooty.
