Panimaya Matha Church, Thoothukudi

Nestled along the scenic Beach Road of Thoothukudi, the Panimaya Matha Church, also known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, is one of Tamil Nadu’s most revered Marian pilgrimage sites Daily PRABHAT+13thoothukudilive.in+13News18+13. Built by Portuguese missionaries in 1711 on a cliff overlooking the port, the church showcases stunning Portuguese-Gothic architecture — complete with buttresses, vaults, and pointed arches

🎉 The Grand Annual Festival (July 26 – August 5)

The church’s highlight is its 10-day annual festival, culminating on August 5, attracting lakhs of devotees from Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and beyond Tamilnadutourism+2News18+2onlinekanyakumari.com+2.

Festival Highlights:

• Flag-hoisting ceremony on July 26 initiates the celebrations thoothukudilive.in+4News18+4Wikipedia+4.
• A nightly divine blessing procession, full of fervor and prayers Wikipedia+4Daily PRABHAT+4thoothukudilive.in+4.
• The spectacular Golden Chariot Procession (‘Thanga Ther’) through the streets on the final day — seen only during special anniversaries; this year marked the 16th time this tradition has been held onlinekanyakumari.com+1Oneindia Tamil+1.
• The district declares a local holiday on August 5, and security and logistics are handled meticulously

🕰 Rich History & Miraculous Legacy

• Its roots trace back even earlier: the legendary St. Francis Xavier is believed to have stayed here in 1542, introducing local devotion to Mary thoothukudilive.in+1onlinekanyakumari.com+1.
• The iconic wooden statue of Our Lady of Snows was brought from Manila and placed here around 1610. Miracles associated with it turned the site into a spiritual beacon; devotees drink water washed over the statue and oil from its lamp, considered to have healing powers Tripadvisor+8thoothukudilive.in+8Catholic Shrine Basilica+8.
• Elevated to a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1982, marking 400 years of devotion