Monday, February 3, 2014

Ooty - Religious Places

Religious Places in & Around Ooty
Outline
The Mariamman temple is located near the market in Ooty. Mariamman is the local deity of the region. It is dedicated to Mariamman, the Hindu Goddess of rain.
Ooty Mariamman Temple Festival is celebrated in the month of April. The mother Goddess, Mariamman is considered to be a form of Kaali, and is also referred to as Mahamaayi or Seethala Gowri. On the day of the festival, thousands of devotees visit the temple from various parts of the country to witness the festival. During the festival, devotees walk barefoot over a pit of burning coal and make lamps from grounded rice and offer to the deity.
Ooty Mariamman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Mariamman, Goddess Kali and Goddess Katteri. Ooty Mariamman Temple festival is a major car festival in the region. Goddess is taken out in procession in various forms - Durga, Kamakshi, Parvathi, Meenakshi, Rajarajeswari, Heddhai Amman and Bhagavathi.
Ooty Mariamman Temple Goddess Durga represents three powers – Itcha Shakti, Gnana Shakti and Kriya Shakti.  Mari, Kali and Katteri represent the three Shaktis in the temple. It is very rare that all the three Shaktis are present in a single temple. Goddess Kali is not her furious form in the temple. She is calm and benign.
The temple is unique as the Navgrahas in the temple are present with their consorts. Devotees offer black sari, cradles and lamps in the temple. Annadanam is another important offering made in the temple. Mother blesses devotees with good health. Prayers offered to childless couples.
Mudikayiru, a special thread, prepared with Mantras in the Katteri Amman Temple is believed to protect devotees from evil looks, illness, magic spells, and witchcraft.  Children and women wear the thread. Mudikayiru also protects cows and ox. The temple is located in the main city center in Ooty.

Mariamman temple, Ooty
Proper name:
Mariamman temple
Tamil:
மாரியம்மன் கோவில், உதகை
Location
Country:
State:
District:
Location:
Elevation:
2,240 m (7,349 ft)
Coordinates:
Architecture and culture
Primary deity:
Goddess Mariamman
Important festivals:
Ooty Mariamman Temple Festival
Architectural styles:
Number of temples:
1
Website:
The Mariamman temple (Tamil: மாரியம்மன் கோவில்) is located near the market in Ooty, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Mariamman is the local deity of the region. It is dedicated to Mariamman, the Hindu Goddess of rain.
Legend
An incident is narrated related with the formation of this temple. According to it every Tuesday merchants from Coimbatore came to this region to trade with the local tribals. On one of this day two sisters travelling from north reached market. They had divine look and manner. When they asked for a place to stay, they were told to stay under a nearby tree. They did not know that the sisters were Goddesses. A lightning or flash of light appeared near the tree and the sisters disappeared. Then the people understood that the sisters were divine forms and built a temple for Goddess Kaliamman and Mariamman together. 
It is the Mariamman temple seen today. It is the only place where both goddesses are seen together. Even today people gather at market on Tuesday and worship Goddess Mariamman on their way returning from market.
Temple Festival
Ooty Mariamman Temple Festival is celebrated in the month of April. Mariamman, the mother Goddess is widely considered to be a form of the goddess Kaali. Mariamman is also referred to as Seethala Gowri or Mahamaayi. A festival honouring the goddess is held in the temple annually, which is visited by thousands of devotees from across the country. One of the important events in the festival includes devotees walking barefoot over burning coal to show their devotion to the goddess. The devotees also make oil lamps from grounded rice and offer them to the goddess.
Timing:
Morning Darshan Time is from: 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Evening Darshan Time is from: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Annamalai Ashram Temple was founded by Guru Krishanandaji, where people of all classes, castes and nationality do "Anna-Dana" to the people who come for worshipping Lord Muruga during Karthigai days every month. There is a waiting list of over hundred people to do "Anna-Dana". It is calm, serene and picturesque location with pure fresh air surrounded by green tea estates planted with silver oak trees making it a suitable and congenial place for practicing meditation.

Kavadi Festival is celebrated here. A floating participation of over 70,000 devotes are reported on this day. The Annamalai Temple is situated at a distance of approximately 20 kms from Ooty and is popularly referred to by the name of Annamalai Murugan Temple of Lord Muruga, also known as the 7th Hill house of the Lord. The Annamalai Temple is a place of great importance and religious significance amongst the worshippers of Lord Muruga.
The short scenic 20 kms drive from Ooty to Kundah or 30 kms scenic drive from Coonoor to Kundah Dam or to Manjoor Village that offers a number of pleasant experiences en route that is filled with several interesting places to view along the majestic Nilgiris Mountain road both ways. As you arrive at Kundah or Manjoor, you can ask for directions to the Annamalai Temple, from the local villagers who will be more than happy to assist you.
It is in Kundah where the Annamalai Murugan Temple stands formidably receiving a large crowd of devotees even from as far as Coimbatore, Mysore and other neighbouring states.
The Annamalai Temple also attracts even more devotees during the Lord Murugan Festival as they throng to this Temple premises to offer their prayers or gratitude. People also make offerings to appease the Lord to either bless them or fulfill their wishes.
The Hilltop where the Annamalai Murugan Temple stands is quite serene and exudes a calm ambience that you would usually experience amidst the sanctity of Gods and Goddesses. Apart from its tranquil and peaceful environ, the Annamalai Murugan Temple is also as picturesque as any tourist spot around Ooty that showcases a locale surrounded by verdant green tea plantations and dotted with dense Silver Oak trees that adds a countryside frame to the region.
The word ‘Annamalai’ means ‘Food Hill’ and this word was primarily derived from a religious belief and point of view that good food always assist in maintaining good health and a heart absent of impure feelings and hence an equally healthy mind as well which is absent of any impure thoughts.
A pure thinking mind is the key to attaining Moksha or Self Enlightenment. For this very reason, the Annamalai Temple has been religiously supplying free food to thousands of devotees and the needy ones, every month, for over 30 years now and still continues to do so.
Charity by means of free food supply is a way for the Temple authorities to give back to the less fortunate society and especially the ones who have been unconditionally serving the Annamalai Murugan Temple without expecting anything in return and also assisted in pushing the Temple to its present state of dignity that it holds amongst other Indian States and the world across.
The premises of the Annamalai Temple atop the Nilgiri Hills is a picturesque location that lends the perfect and complaisant venue for meditation and also to unwind and breathe in the fresh mountain air which is in fact good for sustaining a healthy body and mind and hence is strongly recommended for people with hypertension and those who lead a stressful work life.
More important from the tourist attraction point of view, the Annamalai Murugan Temple offers a spectacular view of the surrounding region from the Temple site as it is set atop a hill offering an excellent vantage point. Close to the Temple is an observatory from where the public is offered magnificent panoramic views of Ooty and the Nilgiris.
Transportation to the Annamalai Temple near Ooty is of no worry as there are several buses plying from the Ooty Central Bus to this area. Alternatively, you can either hire a private taxi cab to drive you to this location or book an excursion tour from Ooty which is in fact preferable for a hassle-free travel and hence allowing you to fully enjoy the tour rather than worry on how to get back to your hotel in Ooty.
Address: Annamalai Ashram Trust, Kil Kundha Post, The Nilgiris - 643 219, Tamil Nadu, India.
Contact Numbers: + 91 – 423 – 250 9353 & + 91 – 9442 342 343

Elk Hill Murugan Temple

The Elk Hill Murugan Temple situated on Elk hill from where it derives its name is a notable site and is considered to be placed on one of the most picturesque hills in Ooty surrounded by verdant beauty and the Nilgiris Hills of Tamil Nadu. The Murugan Temple is dedicated to its prime deity, Lord Muruga which is crowded with devotees who throng this Temple during January and February for the famous Thaipusam festival.






Devotees throng this temple during the months of January and February for the Thaipusam festival. They carry with them brass vessels filled with milk, which is meant to be offered to the lord. Some of them also carry kavadi, (palanquins), which is decorated with flowers, peacock feathers and brass bells.
Besides the multitudinous tourist attraction, there is no dearth of pilgrim attractions in Ooty. One of such popular pilgrim places to visit in Ooty is the Nasiyan Jain temple, located on the Prithvi Raj Road. The temple is dedicated to the first Jain Trithankara, Rishabhdeoji.


Though the construction of the temple began in the year 1864, it was opened for public only in the year 1895. Thousands of tourists flock here every year to not only pays homage to the revered but also to explore the museum situated alongside the temple. This temple is revered most by the Digamber sect of Jains and is gaining immense popularity among the followers of other sects as well.
St. Stephen's Church
Outline
St. Stephen's Church is located on the road to Mysore in Ooty, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris district. The church features a pew with a raised chancel. Stained glass paintings are featured on the eastern side and behind the chancel, depicting Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms and the crucifixion of Christ among others. A large life-like painting of the Last Supper is depicted on the western wall, above the paneled doorways.
The vestry is in the cellar down the chancel. The pulpit is to the left of the chancel and a small flight of steps is attached to it. Antique hammer like structures (four in number), tied on to inverted V shaped planks with ropes are installed instead of the big metallic bell in the attic. Pulleys attached with solid wires operate the hammers. The entire structure is housed on a tall, sturdy stool, which is open on all the fourth sides. When the wires are pulled from the floor, a rhythmic musical sound is produced.


The oldest Church in the Nilgiri, St Stephen Church is located near the house of John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty. The Gothic structure still preserves its Victorian ambiance. The entire church is wonderfully built out of wood, its carvings and has stained glass windows giving it a different lure altogether. 
Some of the attractions of this church are exquisite wooden architecture, the painting of “Last Supper’, stained glass windows with various scenes like the crucifixion of Christ and Mother Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms. This church has an unusual feature of four ‘hammer’ like structures, tied on inverted-V shaped wooden planks using wires.  When these are pulled from the floor, they produce musical sound. After the independence, the church came under “CSI” Church of South India. It is interesting to note that the church does not show any wear and tear even after so many years. St.Stephen’s Church continues to captivate tourists and is one of the chief attractions of Ooty. A visit to this wonderful house of worship is a great experience.

St. Stephen Church is the Gothic church of the place and is one of the best known colonial structures of Ooty. People gather in church and offer sacred prayers from the bottom of the heart. The true feelings of the people reveal the fact that still somewhere on earth, the God is still alive. 
The church was constructed and carved totally from wood and is the best architectural model from wood. The coolness in the church is wonderful as the whole place is made of wood. It's indeed a great experience staying a closet made from the pure wood obtained from Tipu Sultan's palace and was brought at this place with the aid of series of elephants.
St. Stephen's Church is prime tourist attraction in Ooty situated on the Ooty - Mysore Road, recognised as one of the oldest and ancient churches in the Nilgiris District and the first ethereal Christian Church to be erected in the Nilgiris. St. Stephen’s Church is a Gothic Church and is best known for its formidable and stunning colonial architecture seen only in Ooty and a few other places in India.
Highly visited by tourists and visitors just to catch a glimpse of its imposing structure still intact and operational, St. Stephen’s Church is where people visit to offer their prayers and a few to make a wish within a serene atmosphere where you truly feel the presence of the almighty.
St. Stephen's Church, Ooty
Location
Country
Website
History
Founded
January 25, 1830
Founder(s)
Dec 5, 1830
Architecture
John James Underwood
Administration
History
St.Stephen’s Church of Ooty, dates back to the 19th century. It is one of the churches built under British Raj. Stephen Rumbold Lushington, who was the Governor of Madras, laid the foundation for the church on April 23, 1829.
St. Stephen's Church is entirely carved and constructed from wood transforming it into one of the pioneer architectural church models made of wood that exudes certain calmness thus lending a soothing ambience to the entire place. Historically, this pure wood was obtained from the Palace of Tipu Sultan, then the Emperor of the Mysore Kingdom after he was defeated and killed on 4th May 1799 while trying to defend the fort of Srirangapattinam. The wood was placed on large wagons and was brought in by means of a series of elephants.
Tipu Sultan, also referred to as the Tiger of Mysore was a fearless Leader and an implacable enemy of the British and hence in order to retain the Nilgiris which was then largely dictated by political and colonial and compulsions, the British first vanquished Tipu Sultan in 1799 and then captured the Nilgiri hills under their military control for strategic reasons. Even the loyal troops of Tipu Sultan were completely crushed for the fear of them ganging up to turn their territory into an insurgent and unconquerable site.

After the British took over the Nilgiris, John Sullivan, then the Collector of the Coimbatore District, recommended a note to the British parliament on 21st Feb 1832 that they establish of a full-fledged military station in the Nilgiris. Meanwhile, the Nilgiris, then spelt as ‘Neilgherries’, witnessed a steady influx of British colonists who visited to acclimatize themselves within the lofty Nilgiris Mountains and soon made this region their home.
It was in 1829, when Governor Stephen Lushington visited Ooty and addressed his desire for the establishment of a Common Church to cater to the hundred odd white Anglo-Saxon Protestants and their families residing in Ooty. He chose a suitable site which was situated in the long and abandoned corner atop a swamp that once belonged to an extinct Toda Tribe. This area was cleared to make way for construction of the famous churchyard.
The foundation stone was laid on 23rd April 1829 by Stephen Lushington without prior permission from the Directors of the British East India Company. They expressed their annoyance and dispatched a note to Lushington stating that the expenses for this Church was a joint investment of the Company and the Church Missionary Society aided by private subscriptions that computed to Rs. 8000 then. Later, they learned that the expenditure was entirely borne by the Company which surmounted to Rs. 24,000. Capt. J. J. Underwood, the architect and engineer of St. Stephen’s Church was also blamed for exceeding the estimated expenses. Later, Governor Lushington decided that the Palace of Tipu Sultan be pulled down to render construction material to complete St. Stephen’s Church and the proposed Grammar School Building and several other public buildings. The Timber was transported via the old Seegur Ghat Road, an ancient Toda and Badaga pastoral migration pathway since the present Kalhatty Ghat road was then non-existent. The Timber and other construction supplies were traversed past the Sigur foothill right up the Hulathi Badaga village and further on to Marlimund to finally arrive at Ooty [Ootacamund] with the aid of Elephants.
The Church was finally completed the following year in 1830 and was named as St. Stephen’s Church in honour of Governor Stephen Lushington who was responsible for erecting this Sanctuary for the Christians of Ooty.
The church dates back to the 19th century. Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the then Governor of Madras, who keenly felt the need for a church in Ooty exclusively for the British, laid the foundation for the church on April 23, 1829, to coincide with the birthday of King George IV. St. Stephen's Church was consecrated by John Matthias Turner, Bishop of Calcutta, on November 5, 1830. It was opened to the public communion on Easter Sunday April 3, 1831. It came under the Church of South India in 1947. The architect in charge was John James Underwood, Captain, Madras Regiment.
Architecture
The massive main beam and other timber in the church were taken from Tipu Sultan's palace on the island of Srirangapatnam. The material was transported up the Sigur ghat. The architect was Captain J. J. Underwood and the construction cost about Rs 24000 at the time. The foundation stone was laid on April 1829. A painting depicting the Last Supper is displayed on the wall on the western side, which is situated above paneled doors. The church also features stained glass windows depicting, among other scenes, the crucifixion of Christ and Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms. Instead of the usual bell in the tower, 4 hammer like structures are tied on inverted-V shaped wooden planks using wires, which when pulled from the floor, produce a musical sound. The church also has a pulpit with a flight of steps to the left of the chancel, a pew with a chancel in a raised position and a vestry.
Timings
The visiting hours are from 10 am to 1 pm and 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm each day. On every Sunday, there is service from 8.00 am to 11:00 am.
Holy Trinity Church
Churches are omnipresent with Ooty however, there are a few Churches that form a significant masterpiece of this Hill Station and have existed for several decades. The Holy Trinity Church in Ooty is known as the oldest church in Ooty and is considered as a cultural representation of the city and its Christian community.
The Holy Trinity Church has been rightly pronounced as one of the most important and oldest landmark of Ooty that stands quietly yet formidably on the Summer House Road in Ooty.


The Holy Trinity Church depicts a Tudor appearance and is indicated by tarnished stained glass windows, cryptic carvings and peaceful cemeteries. This Church gained its recognition in 1858 during which it became a faithful and committed Church and a temporary Holy abode serving the spiritual needs of the congregation.
This church gained its recognition way back in the year 1858 and since then it has been a place of holy sojourn. Earlier the premise of the church was used for prayers only on Sundays. The famous Tamil scholar and translator, George Uglao Pope, is known to have been a part of this church since its inception. One can even find some of his work serving as Chaplain during the years 1958 and 1959. At present around a congregation of 700 families are connected with this holy abode. If you are planning a visit to Ooty, then visiting the Holy Trinity Church is an inevitable option.
It became a dedicated church from 1858. The premises of the Holy Trinity Church was earlier used by Indian Christians only for Sunday prayer sessions and as a School during weekdays, however, improvements were noticed only after a famous Tamil scholar and translator named George Uglow Pope who is also credited for being a part of this church since its inception, introduced prayer sessions in other languages as well.
George Uglow Pope was popularly referred to as Rev. G. U. Pope or just G. U. Pope. He was born on 24th April 1820 at Prince Edward Island in Nova Scotia and when he was just an infant, his family moved to England. In 1839 and at the age of 19, he left for South India and arrived at Sawyerpuram near Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu in South India. He became a Scholar of Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit and also set up several schools where he taught English, Latin, Hebrew, Philosophy and Mathematics.
Rev. George Uglow Pope spent several years in Tamil Nadu as a Christian missionary and is credited for translating many Tamil texts into English of which his most popular work of translation include Thirukkural and Tiruvachagam into English which was completed on 1st September 1886. The Royal Asiatic Society recognized his efforts and presented him with a coveted Gold Medal for his work in 1906. He also headed the Bishop Cotton Boys' School in Bangalore before he returned to Oxford. He delivered his last sermon on 26th May 1907 and passed away on 12th February 1908.
Rev. G. U. Pope was buried at the St Sepulchre's Cemetery situated at Jericho in Central Oxford, England. His Tamil Literary work still inspires many and his world renowned Thirukkural into English language translation work in fact happened during the inception of the Holy Trinity Church where he also served as a Chaplain for a year between 1858 and 1859.
 A congregation of around 700 families is associated with the church. Seven Churches are attached to the Pastorate.St.Thomas church, Ooty, St.John`s church, Kandal, Immanuel Church, Kenthorai, All saints Church, Toda colony, St.Paul`s church, Muthorai, Christ Church, Thomund, Good Shephard church, H.P.F.Rev. Jerome is the Presbyter. 
Kandal Cross
Kandal Cross is a Roman Catholic Church. It is well known for making the wishes of people come true. The church is recognized for curing the ill and blessing the people making it a big pilgrim place where prayers are offered on every Friday evening. It is considered to be the Holy Shrine of the place. It is also the Calvary of Tamilnadu and is located near Udhagamandalam.
It is renowned place for the people of the region and is well known for the wishes of people coming true. That is what the belief of the people is and is known for curing the ill, blessing the people and wishes coming true. People light the candle in the church and wish something from the bottom of their heart, with the great hope of it coming true. It's a great pilgrim place where sacred prayers are always offered on Friday evening.



The cross erected here is a relic of the true cross, which was brought to India by an Apostolic delegate. Special Novena Prayers and Holly Masses are offered every Friday. The annual feast is held on 3rd May. Kandal Cross is about 3 Km west of Ooty Railway Station.
One of the most visited places in Udhagamandalam is Kandal Cross Shrine. This Cross Shrine is in rectangular shape and is spread in five acres of land at the outskirts of Ooty which is surrounded by soil, dirt and marshy land.
The Kandal Cross Shrine is located about 3 km away from the Ooty railway station. This Shrine is considered very holy by Roman Catholics and is also referred to as “Calvary of Tamil Nadu”. The followers believe that it showers heavenly blessings on the tourists and pilgrims who visit the shrine. In this shrine, there is a life size bronze crucifix which was imported from France and installed on a boulder in 1933 to commemorate the 19th centenary of the Redemption of Mankind.



The Kandal Cross Shrine is established in the year 1933 and is an important pilgrimage center for all the Nilgiri Catholics. This Cross Shrine is also called as the Jerusalem of the East. On 3rd of May, every year the grand feast is held which attracts a lot of crowd. On this day pilgrims and tourists come in large numbers and all the roads in the hill station leads to the Shrine. A car procession always marks the occasion. On 3rd may special buses employed every year by the Tamil Nadu State Transport. The local Police take precautionary steps in the view of crowds and important people.
Ooty also have some other pilgrimage points in the form of churches like St. Stephen’s Church, St.Marys Church, St. Theresas Church, Holy Trinity Church, Sacred Heart Church and Thomas Church. But Kandal Cross Shrine occupies a place on eminence. Pilgrims and devotees come in large number to attend the special Novena Prayers and Holy Masses organized every Friday at the Kandal Cross.
It is the first Catholic Church in Ooty. In 1837 Rev. Fr. Bigot Beauclair visited Ootacamund and within 2 years the construction of a Church was commenced which is now St. Joseph's Primary School. As the catholic population of Ootacamund increased, the original church was found inadequate and a much larger one was constructed in 1870 which is the present church of St. Mary's.





In 1934 the chapel of St. Joseph's Industrial School served as the parish church for the faithful of St. Theresa's Parish. In 1935 it was bifurcated from St. Mary's Parish, Ooty as a separate parish. The foundation stone for the present church was laid on 15th March 1964. On 6th June 1965 the present church was blessed by Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Padiyara and renovated in 1979.

Union Church
The Union Church in Ooty is a place of worship for evangelical believers and the church is located inside a 155 year old heritage building. The Union Church was constructed in the 19th Century and resembles a typical ancient colonial architecture of design that marks it as a formidable, majestic and magnificent site in Ooty.
The Union Church is considered as one of the important spiritual as well as tourist spots in Ooty that should not be missed. Being one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris District, the Union Church attracts a large crowd of tourists every year who visit and offer prayers for wishes to be fulfilled.

It is often known that these ancient Churches in Ooty marked the arrival of Christianity and henceforth the consequences and causes of a large religious infiltration that took place during the colonial era in Ooty. The spiritual needs of people who willingly walked into the Christianity faith forced many churches to crop up in Ooty between the 18th and 20th Century including the Union Church that serves as a platform of worship for the numerous evangelical believers residing in Ooty.
The Union Church has been served by numerous Pastors including C. T. Studd, who was a famous English Cricketer.
C. T. Studd gained his cricketing Blue at Trinity College in Cambridge where he became the Captain of the University Cricket Team by 1883 following in the footsteps of his older brother G. B. Studd who held the captaincy of the team, the previous year.
C. T. Studd firmly retained his commitment to religion and against the advice of his family; he arranged to travel to China as a Christian missionary along with 6 of his university friends who joined along for this extraordinary journey.


C. T. Studd is credited for running the Union Church in Ooty from 1900 to 1906 and he even joined a cricket tour in 1894 and made two double centuries. He returned to England but still felt the need for continuing his overseas gospel work and later in 1910, he sailed to Africa and ran a mission in Khartoum after which he traveled to Southern Sudan via a malarial and sickness infected country.
C. T. Studd then planned his next crusade to the core of the Belgian Congo where he trekked for nine months and finally set up a mission at Niangara situated in the heart of Africa in 1913. His wife who resided in England was active in gospel work and known to be a fine and powerful speaker. She organized a headquarter of missionary projects worldwide including travelling to and preaching in Australia, Canada, the U.S.A., Tasmania, New Zealand and South Africa as well.

Sacred Heart Church





 Sacred Heart Church in Ooty was constructed by reverend Fr. Foubert in the year 1897. The main attraction of the church - the bell towers - was constructed only after the First World War.
The church gained the status of diocesan Cathedral only after Ooty was categorized as a separate diocese on 3rd of July 1955. In the year 1989, the church underwent a large renovation after the accident in which the roof of the sanctuary had fallen. Sacred Heart Church is located on the Havelock road in Bandishola, Ooty. In the city that is known for its scenic delights, the Sacred Heart Church holds a charm of its own.

St George's Church

St. George's Church is a Raj relic. It is an excellent example of a typical Cantonment Church. It was built in 1826 and was designed by Colonel J.T.Boileau. It is made of yellow ochre stucco with white dressings. The entrance of the church must be approached through a small vestibule with niches. The interior contains six Ionic columns that carry a slightly vaulted roof. These columns divide the interior into a central nave and side aisles. The chancel at the east end was altered to a more gothic style at a later date with a carved white sandstone screen, and the altar was enriched with marble inlay work 


The deep ochre stucco with white offsets the beauty of the church while the entrance is through a vestibule that has niches. The vaulted roof is supported by ionic columns and decorated with Gothic sculptures. The beautiful altar is of pure marble inlay work while the Church surrounded with trees radiates a feeling of serenity and peace.
Timing:
Monday - Friday: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM.
Saturday: 9.00 AM -6.00 PM.
Sunday: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM.
Public Holidays: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM.

Thomas Church

A tour to Ooty is incomplete without paying a visit to the St. Thomas Church. A compelling view of the Ooty Lake can be sighted from the St. Thomas Church. 
The main attraction at St. Thomas Church is the memorial of St. Thomas. It boasts of being the tallest memorial in Ooty, with huge pillar that is crowned by a cross. One can find this pillar on the grave of William Patrick Adam, who was the governor of Madras and passed away in Ooty in the year 1881. 




The tranquil setting of the St. Thomas Church definitely compels many to visit this site. It homes the tallest Memorial in Ooty of St. Thomas that beckons tourists to step into the precincts of this ancient Church.
William Patrick Adam 14 September 1823 – 24 May 1881) was a British colonial administrator and Liberal politician. He was twice First Commissioner of Works under William Ewart Gladstone and also served briefly as Governor of Madras between 1880 and 1881.
Another tourist spot of St. Thomas Church that attracts many visitors is the Graveyard of St. Thomas Church that also served as a movie shooting site for the famous and renowned ‘A Passage to India’, a Film based on a novel by E. M. Forster set against the backdrop of the Indian independence movement during the British Raj in the 1920s. This Movie was directed by David Lean in the year 1984.
The Graveyard of the St. Thomas Church also offers a compelling sight set adjacent to the Lake of Ooty and hence will definitely catch the eye. As the name suggest, this Parish is dedicated to St. Tomas and was once a sub-parish to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Ooty.
On 1st September 2008, St. Thomas Church was segregated from its parent parish and was assigned as an independence parish with Rev. Fr. A. Denis as the first Parish Priest serving a catholic congregation of 190 families. It comprises of the Religious order of the Sisters of the Divine Savior also known as SDS in short. This Church also runs the St. Thomas Nursery & Primary School Educational Centre that greatly benefitted the parish congregation and residents of Ooty as well.

Big Mosque

The Big Mosque, situated in Lower Bazaar in Ooty, is also known as the Wallajah Mosque and is well placed for being a sacred and religious site for spiritual attainment for the entire Muslim community residing in Ooty, its surrounding regions and the Muslims from other parts of India and the globe as well.
The Big Mosque is visited by multitudes of Muslim Devotees who throng here to offer their prayers and seek blessings or pray for their wishes to be granted. The Mosque in Ooty is a religiously historic pilgrimage site and is also considered as one of the most attractive shrines in South India. This Mosque in Ooty is gradually attaining worldwide attention and recognition owing to the large number of tourist footfall from across the world visiting Ooty just to get a glimpse of this sacred shrine and other historical religious centers scattered around the region as well.
The Big Mosque is renowned as the only prime Muslim pilgrimage site in Ooty and its surrounding areas in South India apart from the numerous pilgrimage centers of different religious sects that also form a part of the tourist attractions in Ooty. The Big Mosque and several other religious sites in Ooty are aptly placed amidst the serene magnificence of Ooty, a quaint hilly region that has earned a name for also being the most visited hill station in India owing to its umpteen pilgrimage destinations and local attractions.
During the month of Ramadan and on the festive days of Eid-ul-Fitr and Bakrid, the Big Mosque in Ooty witnesses a large influx of global crowd of Muslim devotees who throng the Big Mosque for prayers and to attend the grand celebrations and festivities that follows throughout the day accompanied with sweet treats and delectable and authentic Muslim cuisines.
This Historic Big Mosque in Ooty is therefore recognized as one of the most attractive religious sites in South India and the entire country as well, that one must visit or at least catch a glimpse of, during your visit to Ooty.