Blog on Villianur Matha ( Our Lady of Lourdes), Puducherry

రచన: జి. లక్ష్మి రమేష్, వ్యవస్థాపకురాలు, Shiirdi.in

The Shrine of our Lady of Lourdes at Villianur, Puducherry, India is the first dedicated church outside France, popularly called as Villianur Matha. There are multiple reports of religious healings and answered prayers at the site, right from 1885 onwards. Villianur Matha Church is recognized as the only Catholic church in Asia to feature a sacred pond directly in front of its main structure.

Sacred Tank

August (First Saturday): A modern annual tradition where authentic water transported directly from the original Lourdes Sanctuary in France is formally poured into the Villianur sacred pond. In India, large sacred step-ponds or tanks are a signature element of Hindu temple architecture (pushkarinis), used for ritual cleansing. It creates a familiar sacred space that welcomed people of all faiths, which it still does today. Much like the spring at Lourdes, France, thousands of current pilgrims, of all beliefs, believe the pond water possesses miraculous healing properties capable of curing chronic illnesses and bringing good fortune.

ఎలా చేరుకోవాలి

It is centrally located almost in the Puducherry city. It is 9 kms from proper Puducherry city and just 1.5 kms from Villianur railway station, with adequate passenger trains stopping at this station. However, it is advisable for convenience and safety to travel directly from the city, first preference by cab , next by bus, but little cumbersome to get down at MGR statue, ie., on the main road, walk a distance which requires vehicle , for example , auto to hire especially for those with young kids/children and senior citizens.

At the Church

Its a very small area but in a campus , walkable even for senior citizen 65 plus. Just after entering the premises, on the left side, you find the original church and in front of it, the historical holy tank, worshipped by all faiths. The church is mediocre in size but powerful in delivery, especially to the sick. It requires volumes to write , so it is better, to be experienced.

Depending upon the day you visit, as all we know, Saturdays are holiest apart from other religious days related to the Lourdes church.

Villianur Matha blesses you