Arthunkal, Alappuzha District, Kerala, India
St. Andrew's Basilica
A major pilgrimage church on the Kerala coast of India, founded by Portuguese missionaries in the sixteenth century and now drawing over a million pilgrims annually for the feast of St. Andrew and the annual St. Sebastian festival.
Arthunkal is a small village on the Alappuzha coast of Kerala, and its church is far larger than the village would suggest. Portuguese missionaries established a chapel here in the sixteenth century, dedicating it to St. Andrew. Over the centuries, it grew into one of the most important pilgrimage churches in southern India. The current structure is a large white church in a Portuguese-influenced style, with a tall facade, a bell tower, and a spacious interior that can hold several thousand worshippers. The church is especially associated with St. Sebastian — a statue of the saint, brought from Portugal centuries ago, is venerated here and is the focus of a massive annual festival in January. During the feast, pilgrims arrive from across Kerala and beyond, many walking barefoot for miles along the coastal roads. Some crawl the final stretch on their knees. The church sits near the beach, and the salt air and sound of the sea are part of the experience. Arthunkal's Catholic community is part of the Latin Rite in Kerala, distinct from the larger Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara communities that trace their Christianity back to the apostle Thomas.
Diocese: Diocese of Alleppey
Style: Portuguese Colonial
What to See
The church facade is imposing for a coastal village — tall, white, and visible from the main road. Inside, the statue of St. Sebastian in the sanctuary is the focal point of devotion. The altar and sanctuary are decorated in a style that mixes Portuguese colonial and Indian elements. The church grounds include a large open area used during festivals to accommodate the crowds. The beach is a short walk from the church, and the combination of sacred and natural settings gives the place a distinctive character. During the January festival, the entire village and surrounding roads fill with pilgrims.
Pilgrim Notes
Arthunkal is about twenty kilometers north of Alappuzha (Alleppey) on the Kerala coast. Auto-rickshaws and taxis are available from Alappuzha. The church is open daily and Mass is offered in Malayalam and English. The January St. Sebastian festival is the major event — plan well in advance if visiting then, as accommodations fill quickly. The Kerala backwaters, accessible from Alappuzha, are one of India's great natural attractions and easily combined with a pilgrimage visit. The Syro-Malabar cathedral in Ernakulam, about an hour north, offers a look at another branch of Indian Catholicism.