Adaikalamadha Church, Elakurichi, Ariyalur
Adaikalamadha
Church is located in Elakurichi Village in Ariyalur District of Tamilnadu. Elakurichi is
one of the earliest historical Christian shrines in Tamilnadu. It is dedicated
to Virgin Mary. The ancient church built by the famous Catholic
Missionary Constanzo Beschi popularly known as ‘Veeramamunivar’ on the year of 1711. Tamilnadu Government has
announced it as a tourist spot in the year 2001. The Adaikalamadha shrine is a
sacred pilgrimage center for Roman Catholics. The
state government had spent lots on money to improve the
infrastructure for the benefit of devotees coming to the church
during festival times.
History
Elakurichi
is famous for its ancient church built by the famous Catholic Missionary
Constructive Joseph Beschi popularly known as ‘Veerama Munivar’ on the year of
1711. Its origin goes back to the beginning of the 18th Century. At this
juncture Fr. Beschi was working in Varadarajanpet and sent to Elakurichi during
the Lenten season. Beschi replaced Fr. Emmanuel Machado who had been imprisoned
in Vallam fort by Serfoji. The Catholics, who suffered persecution under the
Tanjore kingdom, crossed the borders to Elakurichi seeking shelter as well as
to save their Catholic faith.
Constantine
Beschi is believed to have come to Ariyalur region on
missionary work between A.D. 1710 - 1742 and here
at Elakurichi he built this Church on a vast land of about 60
acres granted by a local rich landlord as a token of his gratitude to
Fr. Beschi, who cured him of a dreadful disease by invoking the
blessings of the Holy Mother Mary. An inscription engraved on a stone slab
written in A.D. 1763, preserved in this church makes a mention of this grant.
Elakurichi
is the most prominent place among the mission centers where Beschi worked.
Beschi spent most of his missionary life here. It was here that he composed
many of his master pieces like "Thembavani" (an epic on St.
Joseph)" Thirukavalur Kalambaham" (a bouquet of poems on our Lady of
Refuge). His prose works like "Vedhiyar Ozhukkam", "Veda
Vilakkam" etc. & his grammatical works on classical and spoken
Tamil and his famous Tamil dictionary "Sadhuragarathi". It was
at Elakurichi that Beschi started as "Senthamil Kalluri" (Tamil
College).
The
Church
Community Hall (Veeramamunivar Manimandapam):
Special
Functions, seminars, prayer meetings, retreats are conducted here.
Infant Jesus Chapel:
Infant
Jesus Chapel is located in front of the Madha Kulam (lake).
Adoration Chapel:
In order
to encourage the devotees to spend time in solitude with the Eucharistic Lord,
Church is having a Beautiful Adoration Chapel.
Home for the Aged:
Church
is running an Old age home to help the needy elder persons.
Adaikalamadha Dispensary:
Former
Bishop Paul Arulsamy started Adaikalamadha Dispensary for Poor and the needy.
Veeramamunivar RC Middle School:
The poor
children are educated in the school run by the shrine.
Veeramamunivar Arivalayam (Library):
All the
36 books written by Veeramamunivar and other precious religious books are preserved
in the library.
Future Plans:
120 Feet
high Rosary Park with Adaikala Madha Statue at the Top:
The fame
of Elakurichi was known the whole of Tamilnadu right from the time of
Veeramamunivar. Church has a plan to construct a Rosary park, 120 feet
high with five layers.
1st
Layer:
All the
statues of Our Lady appeared in different parts of the world will be
erected with their historical background and importance.
2nd
Layer:
The
history of Elakurichi and miracles of Adaikalamadha will be
displayed. The life history of Veeramamunivar and his literary master pieces
will also be exhibited.
3rd
Layer (Bible in Digital):
Lots of
children do visit the Shrine regularly. In order to attract them towards
the word of God, the biblical stories will be shown in sound and light.
4th
Layer:
Adoration
Chapel will adorn the 4th Layer of the Tower.
Top
Layer:
On top,
53 feet statue of Adaikalamadha - Our Lady of Refuge made out of
mixture of five metals (Pancha Logam) by world renowned sculptures (Stapathis)
from Swamimalai, Tamilnadu, India will be erected.
Madha Kulam (Sacred Pond):
King of
Ariyalur Arengappa Malavarayar affected with an incurable cancerous
mole (Raja Pilavai) approached Veeramamunivar to heal him. Munivar knowing well
of his inability to do so, sought the refuge of Mother Mary. Heeding the
prayers, our blessed mother brought forth a miraculous spring like in Lourds.
He
applied the soil mixed with the spring water on the incurable mole. On the very
same night he got cured. In order to thank for the favors received the king
donated 175 Acres of land on which stands the present shrine.
Holy Mass
Timings
Mass:
Ø
Sunday: Morning 8.30 - 11.30
Ø
Saturday: Morning 6.30 - 11.30
Ø
First Saturday: Evening 6.00 Car Procession
Novena Mass
Ø
Second Saturday: Morning 9.00 AM Prayer
meeting, 1.00 PM Special Mass, 2 PM Annadhanam
Ø
Week Days: Morning 6.30 - 11.30
Annual
Feast
Plenary Indulgences:
Ø
Flag Hoisting: Second Saturday after Easter
Ø
Feast Day - Car
Procession: Third
Saturday After Easter
Ø
Adaikalamadha
Festival: Third
Sunday After Easter
Ø
Lent: Fifth Friday of Lent - Special
way of the Cross
Ø
Birthday: Birthday of Our Lady of
Blessed Virgin Mary (8th September)
Special
Years
Ø
A.D 1855 - Catechists center in
Elakurichi
Ø
A.D 1895 - Annual Feast
Ø
A.D 1899 - Kumbakonam Diocese Formed
Ø
A.D 1933 - Statue of Our Lady
"Madhakulam"
Ø
A.D 1935 A.D - 1936 Prevailed a crisis on faith
Ø
A.D 1963 - Shrine Raising
Ø
A.D 1970 - Opened a Convent and Hospital
Ø
A.D 1980 - Extension of the Old Church
Accommodation
There
are more than 25 rooms available for accommodation.
Contact
Shrine
of Our Lady of Refuge
Elakurichi
P.O.
Thirumanur
Via
Ariyalur
District - 621 715
Phone: +91
4329 246222
Connectivity
Elakurichi
is located at about 32 Kms from Ariyalur, 64 Kms from Perambalur 28 Kms from
Thanjavur and 66 Kms from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Ariyalur & Thanjavur and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
