10 Famous and Magnificent Churches in India that are Worth Visiting
India has been ruled by British, French, Dutch, and Portuguese for a long time, and because of the colonial culture, many churches were constructed in various parts of the country. If you think all churches look the same, then it is time you need to start exploring the several churches in India that are famous and year-old. Some of them date back to the day of the British Raj and still look stunning to this date. The architectures of the churches exhibit the richness of various cultures and how they have still been maintained. Therefore, let us discuss a few famous churches in India that you must visit.Â
10 Best Churches in India with Pictures You Must Visit Once in your life
- St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata
- Shimla Christ Church
- St. John in the Wilderness Church, Dharamshala
- Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa
- All Saints Church, Coonoor
- St. Andrew’s Basilica Arthunkal, Alleppey
- Santa Cruz Basilica, Kochi
- Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Pondicherry
- Velankanni Church, VelankanniÂ
- Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours, Thrissur
1. St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata
St. Paul’s Cathedral is the first Episcopalian church in Asia. It is located in the heart of the city and built by the Britishers in an Indo-Gothic style. The church looks stunning during Christmas. It is visited not only by the Christian population in the city but by tourists of all religions. This is one of the old churches in India worth visiting.
- Best time to travel: October – February
- Timing: Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 12 pm, 3 pm to 6 pm; Sunday: 7:30 am – 6 pm
2. Shimla Christ Church
The natural beauty of Shimla is mesmerizing. The hill station looks even more beautiful during the winter season, especially at the time of Christmas. If you want to experience snowfall on the eve of Christmas, Shimla Christ Church is the right destination for you. It is the second oldest church in Northern India. It took 11 years to complete this church and now is visited by tourists from across the country. The church shows the neo-gothic style of architecture and looks magnificent during winters.
- Best time to travel: December – January
- Timing: 8 am – 6 pm
3. St. John in the Wilderness Church, Dharamshala
Built in 1852, this church is one of a kind. The church is dedicated to John the Baptist and located amid deodar forests. The Belgian Stained-glass windows make this church unique and one of the most popular churches in North India.
- Best time to travel: October – March
- Timing: Monday – Saturday – 7 am – 6:30 pm; Sunday- 9 am – 6:30 pm
4. Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa
The construction of this church started in 1594 and was completed in 1605. Situated in Goa, you can see baroque architecture in this church. The church is around 400 years old and now has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The old charm of churches can still be found in Basilica of Bom Jesus, and that is why it attracts tourists from all corners of the country.
- Best time to travel: November – February
- Timing: Monday – Saturday – 9 am – 6:30 pm; Sunday – 10:30 am – 6:30 pm
5. All Saints Church, Coonoor
All Saints Church in Coonoor was built in 1854. It is an Anglican church that is known for its beautiful wooden interiors. The stained glass windows will take you back to the British colonial era. The building has a huge dome-like structure and is surrounded by Pine trees. This church does not usually witness a huge crowd; therefore, you can experience the tranquil environment here and enjoy some moments of peace and serenity.
- Best time to travel: November – February
- Timing: 9.30 am – 5 pm
6. St. Andrew’s Basilica Arthunkal, Alleppey
It is the largest shrine of Saint Sebastian in the world. One of the famous churches in South India, St. Andrew’s Basilica at Arthunkal was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese missionaries. The church showcases ancient architecture, while the interiors have woodwork.
- Best time to travel: November – March
- Timing: 5.30 am – 6.30 pm
7. Santa Cruz Basilica, Kochi
If you want to see one of the most beautiful Christian religious places in India, you must plan a trip to Santa Cruz Basilica in Kochi. It is the second cathedral that was built by the Portuguese. You will find frescoes in the columns while seven huge canvas paintings and the stained glass windows add to the aesthetics of the place. You can also find some of the most beautifully painted images of Via Crucis of Christ.
- Best time to travel: October – February
- Timing: 9 am – 1 pm; 3 pm – 5 pm
8. Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Pondicherry
Established in 1686, Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Pondicherry is one of the famous tourist attractions in India. This church is dedicated to St. Peters and initially served as a small chapel. At the time of the British invasion, this was the only structure that survived.
- Best time to travel: November – February
- Timing: Monday to Saturday – 5:15 am to 6:15; Sunday – 5:00 pm
9. Velankanni Church, VelankanniÂ
It is truly difficult to take eyes off from Velankanni Church of Velankanni in Tamil Nadu. Placed on the sandy shores of the Bay of Bengal, this city has been declared holy by the Pope. Devotees and tourists from across the world visit this church. If you ever get a chance, do not miss visiting this beautiful church.
- Best time to travel: December – February
- Timing: 5 am- 9 pm
10. Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours, Thrissur
While you are looking for famous churches in South India, you must visit Basilica of Our Lady of Dolores in Thrissur. Built in 1875, the murals on its walls as well as ceilings will surely impress you. The church has a 140 feet long steeple, which you can see from any nook of the town.
- Best time to travel: November – March
- Timing: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu and Sat – 6 am, 7.30 am, and 5.30 pm; Friday – 6 am, 7.30 am, 10 am, 5.30 pm, and 7.30 pm.; Sunday – 6 am, 7.30 am, 9.30 am, 4.45 pm, 6 pm (English), and 7.30 pm.
While you are enthusiastic about your trips to these and many other beautiful churches in the country, make your journey easier by taking a self-drive car by Revv. When you have your car, you can plan the trip as per your convenience. So, get started to explore the old world charm of the several churches in India. You can easily book a Revv self-drive cars on rental through the Revv website or by installing and using the Revv app from the Google Play Store or iOS App Store.
