Our Lady of Sorrows Church (Viagula Madha Church),
Thanjavur
Our Lady
of Sorrows Church, known also as Viagula Madha Church, is a prominent
attraction of Thanjavur located in Pookara Street. This is the oldest church in
Thanjavur District, which is believed to have been erected even before the
period of Veeramamunivar or Constanzo Beschi (1740 A. D.), an Italian Jesuit
priest and Missionary of South India and a famous Tamil poet.
Our Lady
of Sorrows Church is famous for the annual car festival which is held on the
third week of September every year. It is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety
regardless of religion or caste. This church is one of the symbols of religious
harmony in the temple town of Thanjavur.
The
Jesuit Annual letters testify that this church was in existence at Pookara
street several years before the time of Veeramamunivar (1740 A. D.) who
rendered wonderful service for the development of Tamil language. 'Serfoji
the Great' (1798-1832 A.D.) the great Maratha ruler of Thanjavur had
contributed generously both in terms of money and lands to this church, just
like he helped other churches in Thanjavur.
People
teem in thousands to attend the annual car festival of this church which is
celebrated every year with pomp and gaiety in the third week of September.
Christians as well as people of other religions jubilantly join in the
celebration and every Saturday we see people praying in this church without any
discrimination of religion or caste. Even today it stands as a symbol of
religious harmony in this temple town.