Christianity is one of the prominent religions in India. It is the third largest religion in India. Nearly 24 million people in India are the true followers of Christianity that constitutes to 2.3% of total population. Christianity arrived at 1st centaury here.

There are few very famous churches in India. Know more about them at famous in India.

St.Francis Church

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St.Francis Church in India is the oldest European church. This church is located in the Kochi. It was built originally in the year 1503. This church stands today in the evidence of history of Christianity in India. There is an interesting story associated with St.Francis Church. In 1503, the then Rajah of Kochi permitted Alphonso Alburquerque to build this church. It describes about the struggle of the European colonies in India. The famous Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. And then his body was buried in this church only. But later the remains of his body were taken back to Libson in Portugal

The church became a protected monument in 1923. This church can be visited from the city of Ernakulam

Basilica of Bom Jesus

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Basilica of Bom Jesus is the most famous church in India. This church is located in the beach city Goa. This church was constructed in India in the year 1695. It is located near the capital city panjim of the state of Goa. Bom Jesus means good Jesus. This church is famous and sacred for Christians since it holds the remains of St Francis Xavier. Basilica of Bom Jesus church has been declared as the world heritage site. In this church the body of the holy saint is opened for public display and at that period of time the church is visited by millions of visitors, Indians as well as foreigners.

Malayattoor

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Malayattoor church is one of the famous churches in India. This prominent Christian pilgrimage is located in the Ernakulam district of the state of Kerala in India. St. Thomas the Apostle was the one who started Christianity teachings in south India. He built this church in the Cochin region of Kerala. This church is also very old, it date backs nearly to 52 AD. This church is located at a hill top nearly 10 KM away from Kalady. Malayattoor church has been declared as the international pilgrimage spot by the Vatican.

This Shrine was promoted to Archdiocesan status by Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil on 4th September 1998.

Santa Cruz Basilica

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Santa Cruz Basilica is one of the oldest and famous churches in India. This church was originally built by the Portuguese in the year 1505. It was later in the year 1558 that it was elevated to the cathedral by then Pope, Pope Paul IV. This church was spared by the Dutch people who invaded and destroyed many catholic buildings. This church is located in Kochi region in Kerala, state of southern India. Later this sacred building was demolished and renovated by the British in 1887 by the orders of Bishop Dom Gomez Vereira. In the year 1984 Santa Cruz was titled as Basilica by the Pope John Paul II.

Vallarpadam Church

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Vallarpadam Church is one of the famous pilgrimage spots in India. The famous church is here called as The Church of Our Lady of Ransom. This church is dedicated to the Mother Mary, mother of the Jesus. This church is named after Mother Mary who is also known as Vallarpadathamma. Initially this church was built by the Portuguese in the year 1524. But later it was destroyed by the Dutch. The present day Vallarpadam Church is was rebuilt in the year 1676. It is located in the Kochi, in the state of Kerala. This church is very sacred and has been declared a major pilgrim centre by the Union government of India in the year 1951.

Velankanni

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Velankanni is one of the most sacred Christian pilgrimages in India. Velankanni town is located at the sand shores of the Bay of Bengal. It is just at the distance of 12 KM from the famous coast of Coromandel. The town is famous for the shrine Basilica that is dedicated to ‘Lady of health’. Velankanni has also been declared a holy city by the Pope. This shrine is considered as the divine city and it has been proved from the centauries. Velankanni is fondly known as the ‘Lourdes of the East’. The shrine is a great combination of international, multicultural, and religious harmony.

There is an interesting practice here that pilgrims offer candles to the mother to cure themselves. Candles are in shape of the respective ailment- a heart in case of cardiac complications and lungs in case of tuberculosis and so on.

Panajim Church (GOA)

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The Panjim Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is placed on the hillside and just high above the Idalco Palace built by Adil Shah. Standing on the gallery of the church, you can see the entire view of the lovely Panjim city. It is one of Panjim’s best attractions located in the heart of Panjim city and is the first church of Goa, built in 1541. In this century this area was hilly and residential. Land around was swampy covered by the field of paddy, coconuts groves and watery. It was in 1843 the land was developed by the Viceroy when he took over Panjim; and in the year 1855 the ‘Praca de Flores’ (Square of Flower’s) was built in front of the church. In the year 1619 the church was re-constructed by enlarging it further looking at the population growth.

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The area above the church on hilltop is called Bairro Altos de Pilotos because large beacons used to be lit here to guide ships into the estuary before the light house. On the right side of the church down to the lane little further is Secretariat Building. On the down the lane few steps is Jama Masjid and built in is a Muslim College. Further on the street is the Hindu Mahalaxmi Temple which is main temple in Panjim, In front of the church is the view of Municipal Garden, hotels, boutiques etc. The Panjim Church has ordinary interior. The main altar is honoured to Mary Immaculate, and it has two more altars, on the left is Jesus crucified and to the right is Our Lady of the Rosary. On the both sides there are two marble statues, one of St. Peter and one of St. Paul. On the right of the main altar in the south transept there is a Chapel of St. Francis Xavier.

The decoration of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception church is simple, but still it is amazing to the eyes because of it simplicity. In the year 1871, the great bell belonging to the Augustinian Church of Our Lady which is in Old Goa was brought here in Panjim Church to install. After the Golden Bell in Se Cathedral, this is second bell which is large and heavy in weight and due to this the whole pediment of the façade was renovated and increased in the size.