The Manjumatha Church

Manjumatha Church, is one among the three famous pilgrim centres in South India dedicated to Our Lady, Virgin Mary. The church was built by the Portuguese, during the same time that the Pallippuram Fort was built. Tipu Sultan’s invasion in 1789 CE targeted many churches and temples. Anticipating this situation, the believers closed themselves up in the church and prayed. It is believed that when Tipu’s army reached the place, they could not identify the church as it was covered in snow. Hence, the church got its name Manju Matha, that translates to “Our Lady of Snow”.

When the Dutch invaded the fort, they built another church adjacent to the present one. A new one was constructed in 1930 and renovated in 2006. The church is renamed the Basilica of Our Lady of Snow in 2012. The Church is located at Pallipuram near Cherai.