Basilica Of Our Lady Of The Snow / பனிமய மாதா

The history of Shrine Basilica is closely connected with the history of the conversion of the people (Tuticorin), the indigenous people of the Pearl Fishery Coast. They were baptized by Fr. Pedro Gonsalves, Franciscan missionaries. Paniya Matha Church takes back to the period of Portuguese in Thoothukudi. In the year of 1711, the church was built on a cliff by Portuguese rulers. The church was built near the port area of the city of Thoothukudi. As per the legends, St. Francis Xavier was believed to stay in Thoothukudi for a couple of years starting from 1542 and introduced people of Thoothukudi to the Marion worship after looking at their interest towards the female deities. Our Lady of Snows was fondly called in 'Portuguese Nossa Senhora das Neves' which means 'Our Lady of Snows'. She has been given the unique title of 'Yelu Kadalthurai', 'Yega Adikala Thai' in Tamil which means the 'Mother of Refuge' for the seven major coastal villages, viz Vembar, Vaippar, Thoothukudi (Snows Basilica, Tuticorin), Punnaikayal, Virapandianpatinam, Thiruchendur and Manapad (Thoothukkudi District).Paniya Matha The statue of our lady of snows has a rich history behind its placement in Paniya Matha church. It was originally placed in the chapel of the Augustinian Sisters in Manila. St. Francis Xavier wanted to install it in Tuticorin. Only after the death of St. Francis Xavier the same was shipped to Thoothukudi, as it was the wish of St. Francis Xavier. The statue was installed in a nearby island after being taken away but was returned to the church in 1610 again. Many miracles have been associated with this statue. It is due to some of these that the custom of drinking the water that washes the shrine of Our Lady and the oil from the lamp originated. When this beautiful wooden statue was miraculously found in Tuticorin, it was placed in the church of Mother of Mercy and over time it came to be called the church of Our Lady of Snows. The practice of a golden car procession began around 1720 when the statue of Our Lady of Snows was reinstalled in Tuticorin. A new golden car of 53 feet was built for the procession. The height is symbolic of the 53 beads of the rosary. After the completion of its 400 years in 1982, the statue was raised to the status of a basilica by Venerable Pope John Paul II. People believe in the custom of drinking the water that washes the shrine of Our Lady and the oil from the lamp originated due to its many miraculous associations. The most famous part of the architecture of Paniya Matha church is the statue of Our Lady of Snows. It is a fine example of Portuguese architecture. The basilica at Tuticorin is built following Portuguese architecture facing east. The Gothic style of architecture is evident in the pointed arches, buttresses and ribbed vaults. Buttresses, vaults and the pointed arches are the perfect examples of the true gothic style of architecture of this church. Portuguese architecture can be easily seen in every wall of this church.

42, Beach Road, Tuticorin - 628 001