This former French colony in a little coastal town in Southern India draws nearly a million visitors every year. It’s hard to imagine the French tricolor fluttering in India, unless you are in Pondicherry, where 281 years of French occupation have left their mark.
In mid-17th century, when European nations were colonizing foreign lands, this coastal nugget on the Bay of Bengal in Southern India became a favourite spot for Europeans. The Portuguese, Dutch, Danes, French and British fought many battles to lay claim to this land, but ultimately it was the French who in 1673 made it their “home” for the next few centuries.
Filled with sun, sea and sand, the Mediterranean aura reminded the colonisers of the Riviera. They turned this fishing hub into a settlement reminiscent of towns such as Nice, Cannes and Toulon and quickly became a hub of French politics, commerce and culture. After relinquishing power to independent India in 1954, the colonizers left behind their architecture, culture and traditions, including Bastille Day, which is still celebrated every year on 14 July with much pageantry.
The French built the town into two parts: Ville Noire, or black town for native Indians, and Ville Blanche, or white town, designed exclusively for the Europeans. That division somehow still exists in Pondicherry, renamed Puducherry in 2006
Pondicherry is famous for its beautiful Churches with oriental and colonial architecture. Immaculate Conception Cathedral is one of the oldest tourist spots in Puducherry and visited by most tourists who come to Pondicherry. Mother Teresa also visited this church during her visit to Puducherry. It is also known as “Samba Kovil”, which means “Saint Paul’s Kovil” in Tamil language where “Kovil” means Temple.
Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception which dates back to 300 years possess the oil paintings gifted by Napoleon III. The church compound also houses bishop house. Mass services are conducted in Tamil and English here. Roots of this church date back to year 1692 when first church was built by Jesuit Fathers with the financial help of Louis XIV, king of France. After that church was demolished and built several times by Dutch and British.
History
The Jesuit Fathers came to the French colony of Pondicherry as missionaries in 1689. There they bought a very large garden to the west of the French Fort. In the 1692 they, with the financial help of Louis XIV, king of France, erected a church which was demolished by the Dutch in the following year. A second Church was quickly built in 1699 but could not last long.
From 1728 to 1736 a large church was built on the site of the present Cathedral. This third church was razed to the ground by the British in 1761 during the Seven Years’ War.
Erecting in 1765 provisionally (fourth in serial) a functional kind of irregular shaped shed where the Mission Press (official press depot of the archdiocese) is now, since the year 1770 the Fathers were earnest in building the present cathedral on the foundations of the 3rd Church. On 20 June 1791 the main work was finished and the Church was consecrated by Bishop Champenois. The Bell tower was built later. The choir loft was added in 1905. The Sanctuary was remodeled in the year 1970. The esplanade in front of the Cathedral was remodeled in 1987, to allow people to take part in liturgical ceremonies and special functions held outside.
Architecture
A third church was built again which was razed by the British. A grander church was planned and work started. On 20 June 1791, the Church was consecrated by Bishop Champenois. The Bell tower and choir loft were added later. The Sanctuary was remodeled in the year 1970.
The Immaculate Conecption Cathedral, the typical Jesuit edifice resembles the robin’s-egg-blue-and-cloud-white colored Goa-like Portuguese style. The Fest of this Church, the Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary falls on the 8th of December. The 300 year old church is also the residence of the bishop. Mass services are conducted in Tamil and English.
Altars in the Church
The Church boasts of lot of exhibits, statues and Altars in the Church. Altars at the Church are of – St. Joseph’s Altar, Our Lady of Good Health Altar, Sacred Heart Altar, St. Theresa of Lisieux Altar, Our Lady of Holy Rosary with St. Dominic, St. Francis of Assisi,
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