Our Lady of Ransom Shrine — Attraction in Agastheeswaram

A small thatched church was upgraded to a big church of Roman architecture was constructed in 1700 AD. A statue of Mother Mary made during 16th century derived from Rome to Kanniyakumari. A golden altar was developed and the statue of Mother Mary was placed in the centre of the altar and venerated by the name of Alangara matha. The statue of St. Joseph and St. Francis Xavier were placed in the right side and left side respectively. There are wooden carvings depicting the coronation of Mary as queen of heaven and earth. Intricately carved depictions of angels playing the musical instruments like violin, flute and drums in the upper and side adorn the altar. Jesus Christ inviting his disciples for ministries and forgiving Mary Magdalene were depicted in the side of the altar. Cardinals, a Pope, and soldiers having foliage in their hand are depicted. There are carvings of 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. A lamb lying on the Holy Bible is depicted in the lower portion of the altar. The old church remains part of the new church. In 1917 a foreign (German) merchant ship carrying coal was grounded on the sandy shore of Leepuram, Kanniyakumari, and could not be refloated; it was abandoned and sold at auction to Kayathan Villavarayan, a merchant from Tuticorin. He donated the iron mast to Our Lady of Ransom Church, Kanniyakumari. The kattumarams of Kanniyakumari were brought to Leepuram to take the mast to Kanniyakumari.

When the mast was loaded on the kattumarams, the mast together with the kattumarams sank, then began to float. The mast was taken to Kanniyakumari by road, it was fitted into a bore hole in a stone and fixed in place with molten lead. When entering to the church one can see a beautiful statue of Mother Mary got from Italy and clad in a sari – like in most [South Indian] churches and a little Cross on the altar. The beautiful paintings of four disciples of Jesus Christ and writers of New Testament of the Bible namely Mark, Matthew, Luke and John are exquisite on the main altar and the Mother Mary statue is located in the middle of the main altar. The colorful light patterns thrown by the stained glass windows on side of the church gives a rainbow appearance inside the church. The Mother Mary statue situated in the old Church and is from Rome and is the main attraction of this church. Every year the feast of Our Lady of Ransom is celebrated for 10 days in the month of December. The feast of Our Lady of Ransom begins with the flag hoisting on the following Friday immediately after the feast of St. Francis Xavier, Kottar which falls on 3 December. The first day of the feast begins with the flag hoisting. During the festival, every morning festival mass is celebrated and in the evening there will be benediction with special prayers and preaching. On the eight day evening Corpus Christi Procession is held. The ninth day evening has special vespers and celebrations held. The culmination of the feast is the golden car procession: two golden cars are taken on the 9th and 10th days of the feasts. Our Lady of delight is taken in procession in the 1st car, which was made in 1798. St. Joseph, the spouse of Mary is taken in procession in the 2nd car, which was...

Our Lady of Ransom Church is a Catholic church located at Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India.Kanniyakumari village is situated in the District of Kanniyakumari which is the southernmost part of the Indian subcontinent. the place is also referred as the lands end. The Kanniyakumari Parish almost coincides with the civil village of Kanniyakumari. It is closely associated with the mainstream Catholic faith in India. According to census 2011, the Kanniyakumari district comprising 48.74% of Christians in Tamil Nadu. The tomb stones unearthed at Kumari Muttom, near Kanniyakumari contain evidences to show that Catholics were living there for many centuries. The tomb stones dated 1496 contain the edict of the local ruler granting tax exemptions to the residents of Kumari Muttom and authorizing levy of a cess from the fishermen in Kumari Muttom.The aggregate income thus generated had to be used to keep the lights of the church burning.

In 1542 when St. Francis Xavier came to Cape Comerin (Kanniyakumari) he found ‘Our Lady of Delights Grotto’, at Kanniyakumari. Then it became a center for mission activities of the Jesuits from Thoothoor to Ramanathapuram.

It is believed that Our Lady of Delights Grotto, in which St. Francis Xavier prayed, later became the church of Our Lady of Ransom. Our Lady of Ransom is the Patron of the congregation in Spain which redeemed the Christians from the Muslim invasion in the year 1218. The people of Kanniyakumari combined the name Ransom with Delight and call their patron Alangara Upakara Matha. A small thatched church was upgraded in to a big church of roman architecture was constructed on 1700 AD. A statue of Mother Mary of made during 16th century derived from Rome to Kanniyakumari. An golden altar is developed and the statue of Mother Mary was placed in the centre of the altar and venerated by the name of Alangara matha. The statue of St. Joseph and St. Francis Xavier were placed in the right side and left side respectively. There are wooden carvings depicting the coronation of Mary as queen of heaven and earth. Intricately carved depictions of angels playing the musical instruments like violin, flute and drums in the upper and side adorn the altar. Jesus Christ inviting his disciples for ministries and forgiving Mary Magdalene were depicted in the side of the altar. Cardinals, pope and the soldiers having foliage in their hand are depicted. There are carvings of 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. A lamb lying on the holy bible is depicted in the lower portion of the altar. The old church remains part of the new church.In 1917 a foreign merchant ship was grounded on the sandy shore of Leepuram, Kanniyakumari, and could not be refloated; it was abandoned and sold at auction to Kayathan Villavarayan, a merchant from Tuticorin. He donated the iron mast to Our Lady of Ransom Church, Kanniyakumari. The kattumarams of Kanniyakumari were brought to Leepuram to take the mast to Kanniyakumari.

When the mast was loaded on the kattumarams, the mast together with the kattumarams sank, then began to float. The mast was taken to Kanniyakumari by road. The mast was fitted into a hole in a stone and fixed in place with...

Our Lady of Ransom Shrine

Our Lady of Ransom Shrine, also known as Kanyakumari Church, is a prominent Roman Catholic church located in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Ransom, who is venerated as the patroness of the town.

Key Points:

Location: Situated near the shore in Kanyakumari, the southernmost point of mainland India, offering a scenic view of the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.

Historical Background: The church has a rich history dating back to the 15th century, established by Portuguese missionaries. The current structure was built in the early 20th century. It is named after Our Lady of Ransom, a title of the Virgin Mary associated with the Mercedarian Order, which was dedicated to ransoming Christian captives.

Architectural Features: The church is designed in a neo-Gothic architectural style with impressive spires, stained glass windows, and an ornate altar. The white façade with its tall towers is a distinctive feature and can be seen from a distance, especially from the sea.

Statue of Our Lady: The main attraction of the shrine is the statue of Our Lady of Ransom, adorned with a golden crown and traditional Indian attire, symbolizing the fusion of local culture with Christian devotion. The statue is believed to have miraculous powers and attracts many devotees.

Significance: The shrine serves as a major center of Catholic worship in the region and is an important pilgrimage site for the Christian community. It stands as a symbol of religious harmony, given its proximity to Hindu temples and other religious sites in Kanyakumari.

Festivals and Celebrations: Annual Feast: The feast of Our Lady of Ransom is celebrated with great enthusiasm in October, featuring processions, special masses, and cultural programs. Christmas and Easter: These are celebrated with special services, decorations, and community gatherings.

Visiting Information: The church is open to visitors throughout the week. Masses are held regularly in multiple languages to accommodate the diverse congregation. The peaceful surroundings and beautiful architecture make it a popular spot for tourists as well as worshippers.

Nearby Attractions: The church's proximity to other landmarks like the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, and Kanyakumari Beach makes it an integral part of the tourist circuit in Kanyakumari. Visitors can enjoy the serene ambiance and panoramic views of the sea from the church premises.

Summary

Our Lady of Ransom Shrine in Kanyakumari is a significant Catholic church known for its historical and architectural beauty, dedicated to the Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of Ransom. It stands as a beacon of faith and cultural integration, attracting both pilgrims and tourists with its serene atmosphere and religious significance. Located near the meeting point of three seas, the church offers not just a place for spiritual solace but also a picturesque view, making it a notable landmark in...