Sirumalai Annai Shrine, Krishnan Koil, Virudhunagar
The
Sirumalai Shrine known also as ‘Amali-malai’ belongs to W.Pudupatti Parish of
Srivilliputhur Vicariate – one of the seven vicariates of the Archdiocese of
Madurai. The shrine is located at the cross road of Krishnan koil Stop, falling
at 70 km from Madurai to Shenkottai National Highway.
Legends
When the
first parish priest of W. Pudupatti, Fr. Morier, a Jesuit from foreign country,
went to celebrate mass at Nathampatti in the evening, heavy wind and rain
turned to be a hurdle for his travel. The bullocks of the cart, when nearing
Sirumalai, lied down without any reason. He could not further make a move of
the cart in spite of many trials to wake them up. So the saintly priest
happened to spare the night at the bottom of the hill. Then, Mother Mary graciously
appeared to him on his dream with a demand of unavoidable requisition i.e.
‘Would you construct a church for me that the people might be gathered and
blessed?’ The priest woke up with a fret and found the bullocks standing ready
for travel.
He was obsessed
with the thought of the vision as he returned from Nathampatti after the
celebration of the mass. All the people of the village willingly seconded the
idea of construction of an altar in remembrance of the Mother. When the priest
and others went there with a mind of finding a location where the church could
be built up, a band of wolves of was found in a spot. All of them ran away into
the forest. But in a particular place, one of the wolves stood in a posture of
praying, lifting both the front legs up and went away.
Immediately
then, the priest laid a corner-stone in that cite and fixed it as a place shown
by the Mother and began the work of the construction of the church. He also
easily acquired the land around the church from the rulers of the time by his
political prudence. He planted hundreds of trees that bear fruits in order that
the hill could look greenish. These trees served as shelter and yielded fruits
for people who come seeking the blessing of the Mother.
History
The
Christians of Marava caste, who were the proselytes by St. John de Britto,
lived in the region of Ramnad. By then, it was ruled by Marudu Pandyas who, on account
of religious intolerance and hatred towards the British rule, started
persecuting the Christians. To escape from their hardship, the Christians moved
to the region of Sirumalai which was under British control. Having been settled
down at Sirumalai they set up a petty grotto there for the Mother who saved
their lives and properties from being destroyed.
At
present, although these people have gone to get settled at Pandalkudi near Aruppukkottai,
they have made it a custom to come to Sirumalai once in a year, slaughter the
sheep, offer the sacrifice and enjoy feasting all the day. It is also very
sentimental to witness these people praying to the Mother with tears, hitting
their heads at the wall of the church.
Holy
Spring
A Holy
Spring is located right at the top of the mount about 350 meters height. Be it
a rainy season or hot summer, the spring is always overflowing. Yet another wonder is that the altar of the
church at the bottom of the hill and the fount at the top is set straight on
the exact line.
Shrine
The
grotto and tower for the Mother was built by Fr. Morier in the year 1926. But
the construction of the tower was not complete. Fr. M.P. Alphonse restarted the
construction work of the shrine in 1993. The construction of the tower was
completed during the tenure of Fr. Albin Justus. The house for priests was
built when Fr. Siluvai Michael was here. By his onerous efforts, they started
praying way of the cross on the hill way. The shrine began to shine when Fr.
Lukas served as parish priest. It was he who constructed the cave-temple at the
place where the apparition of the Mother took place. Chapel for the Blessed
Sacrament also was built by him. In the year 2002 he began the construction
work of road-side grotto dedicated to the mother in the name ‘good health’.
With the
contribution of R.C. School teachers, the works of the grotto was finished. In
the year 2010, the way to the cave temple containing 33 steps was laid. These
steps were set-up to remind the people of the earthly living of Jesus. The holy
cross was established at the top of the hill on April 10, 2011. The stations of
way of the cross were also set up on the way toward uphill. The practice of
praying way of the cross with celebration of mass at evening of every Sunday
began during the lent of 2011. Houses for the pilgrims and lavatories will soon
be constructed for their convenience.
From
2008, the holy Eucharist is celebrated at 11.30 in the morning on the first
Sundays. From December 8, 2009 onwards the mass is celebrated at the routine of
8 days. On the first Saturdays of every month a decorated car procession with
recitation of Rosary begins from the good-health grotto on the road side and
the mass continues. From July 17, 2011, onward the mass is celebrated at the
altar established on the hill. Third Sunday of every month, the mass is
celebrated on the hill top altar at 5. 00 p. m in the evening.
Connectivity
The
shrine is located at the cross road of Krishnan koil Stop, falling at 70 km
from Madurai to Shenkottai National Highway.
