Sacred Heart Church, Kaavalkinaru, Thirunelveli
Sacred
Heart Church is located in Kaavalkinaru Village near Nagercoil in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Kaavalkinaru
has its roots in the early Dravidian Civilization and its history can be traced
from the early 17th century (around 1698 A.D). This region was predominantly
ruled by the majestic Pandyan
Dynasty; as their kingdom was established
from the south of Cauvery River till Kanyakumari. The Name Kaavalkinaru is
originated by a Well which provided fresh water for the thirsty soldiers of the
Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas Kingdom as Kaavalkinaru was the boundary of these
Kingdoms, this Well is still preserved at Kaavalkinaru.
During
the British rule the Catholicism slowly started taking its roots by the year (1698
A.D.). Many accepted Christianity as their religion. Around (1749 A.D.) a
small Catholic Church was cordially built by the local people to offer
their weekly Eucharistic Services. Later in (1843 A.D.) the Sacred Heart Church
was built and then it was declared as a separate parish by the Tuticorin
Diocese. This was followed by setting up a primary school in 1897; this school
helped in educating the children of Kaavalkinaru.
As the
Church structure was too getting old, people decided to rebuild a massive
structure in place of the old structure. So on 1932, the foundation was laid to
construct a majestic church. Therefore, by 1961, a new construction was built
and raised, in the very classical Gothic Architecture style. The
church’s architecture style became a unique feature of architecture in the
entire region of Tirunelveli. Later, the church proved to be an imposing
building with inspiring architecture to the Catholics around this region.
The
environment around the Church was also set to be spic and span, radiating rays
of hope and piety. Finally the Church was blessed and incarnated for the first
time on 9 June 1961 to the people of Kaavalkinaru. Kaavalkinaru has many other
churches within its boundaries there is a St.
Anthony Church near the
Sacred Heart Church; the Our Lady of Fatima Church at Kaavalkinaru Junction and an Annai
Velankanni chapel to the east
of Kaavalkinaru Junction, this chapel has a huge Meditation Center where Masses
are conducted on special days and a small chapel of St. Michael (archangel) is also built inside Kaavalkinaru.
There is
a C.S.I. Church of South India church and many small Hindu Temples of various
deities are instilled in various corners of Kaavalkinaru. There is also
an Ayyavazhi Temple in Kaavalkinaru. Every year the annual
church festival is celebrated with all pomp and gaiety. The church feast is
annually celebrated on 15 May with Flag Hoisting and there is a Car-Procession
on the 9th Day of the celebration. On the 11th day there is a Common Meal served
at the church with the congregation of all the people and to bid their final
prayers.
Kaavalkinaru
is located at 24 km (15 Miles) from Nagercoil and 69 km (43 Miles) from Tirunelveli. The
nearest airport is Trivandrum International
Airport which is at a
distance of 99 km. The nearest port is the Tuticorin Port Trust also known as V.O.Chidambaram Port Trust this port
is located at 111 km from Kaavalkinaru.
