St Andrew's Basilica Church

St. Andrew’s Basilica Arthunkal, officially known as the ‘St. Andrews Forane Church’ is located at Arthunkal. Arthunkal is a coastal town and at a distance of 21 KM from Alleppey. The Arthunkal church was built by the Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century. ‘Basilica’ is the honor given by Pope and remark the specialty of the construction of the church. The church has a large oblong hall with double colonnades and a semicircular apse similar to the ancient Rome constructions. The church is facing the Arabian Sea and has a beautiful beach in the front. The statue of St. Sebastian was brought from Milan and placed in the Arthunkal Church which is sculptured as arrows struck all over the bleeding body and it symbolizes his execution at the order of the Roman emperor for cuddling Christianity. Arthunkal Basilica is the first Basilica in Alleppey diocese and the seventh in Kerala. In January the feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated for two weeks and devotees visit the church from all over the state on the feast days to acquire the blessings of St. Sebastian. The statue of great St. Sebastian is carried out as a procession on the eighth day of the feast from the church to beach and back. An eagle is seen roving the skies during the procession every year. It is believed that disabled persons get well by the blessings of St. Sebastian and many devotees return to shrine once they cured to make offerings. The most popular offering is ‘Urulunercha’ - the devotees crawl on their knees on the road from Arthunkal beach to the church to show their gratitude. Devotees offer small replicas of bows and arrows as a thanks giving to the saint. Hindus visit the church and take refreshments on their way back from ‘Sabarimala temple’ and pay homage to St. Sebastian. ‘Sabarimala’ is the second largest pilgrim center in the world.

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