Immaculate Conception Cathedral Pondicherry
Immaculate Conception Cathedral has among cathedral mother church and only one for Roman Catholics Archdiocese from Pondicherry & Cuddalore. This cathedral is situated in Union territory of the city Pondicherry. This is also known as "Samba Kovil”, that has come from the phonetic corruption of the term "Saint Paul’s Kovil" here the term "Kovil" means to be church. This particular Church has also been visited by Saint Mother Teresa while she was visiting Pondicherry.
History
Jesuit Fathers visited the city of Pondicherry which has been the French colony as missionaries during the year of 1689. Here they bought a huge garden located at the western side of French Fort. In year of 1692 with financial aid of King Louis XIV they could built beautiful church which was destroyed the next year itself by Dutch. The 2nd Church was built quickly in the year of 1699 but that also could not sustain long.
From the year of 1728 till 1736 a huge beautiful church was constructed on this same site where the present Cathedral is situated. This 3rd church was then razed to ground in the year of 1861 by British during 7 Years War.
Erecting in the year of 1765 provisionally ( 4th in serial) as functional type of irregularly shaped shed where now the Mission Press is situated, since year of 1770 Jesuit Fathers was been earnest in constructing present cathedral on basis of the foundations of 3rd Church. On June 20, 1791 main work was been finished & Church was being consecrated by the Bishop Champenois. Bell tower was being constructed later on. In 1905 the choir was added to the loft. In year 1970, the sanctuary was being remodelled. The esplanade which is located in front of this Cathedral was remodelled in the year of 1987, & also allowed people to take active part in the liturgical ceremonies & special functions which was held outside.
This Fest of the Church i.e., the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary falls to be on December 8. Now this church stands to be around 300 yrs and it is also that place where bishop house is been situated. Tamil & English are the two languages is which the mass services are conducted.
This is among the oldest sites for tourists in Pondicherry. Mother Teresa also visited this Church when she visited Pondicherry.
Controversies With the Name
As the after effect of the Demolition of the Babri Masjid, Bharatiya Janata Party in Pondicherry threatened to destroy this Cathedral by saying that this was build upon the former temple for Hindu called Temple Vedapureeshwarar which is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the name of Samba Eswar. Police protection was given to this Cathedral for some weeks then.
In following weeks then the Archbishop, Mr. Michael Augustine & Govt of Pondicherry started an independent investigation to get to the bottom of the truth about the matter.
A building having name Temple Vedapureeshwarar was indeed been destroyed by Ms. Jeanne Dupleix who was wife of Sir Joseph Dupleix who was governor general of French establishment here in India. But this Cathedral was existent even before this event took place & this temple was being reconstructed on that same si
There was no record about the nomenclature of Samba Eswar which was used for God Shiva in that region.
There is also no historical proof about the fact that there was any Temple existent in this current location of this Cathedral.
These findings all were largely linked to the letters which were sent to Rome by the French Fathers who were stationed at Pondicherry during that time period & are more importantly was referred from Diary of Mr. Ananda Ranga Pillai.
There is a portion in the diary which gives detailed description of the temple’s destruction as follows:
Sunday September 8th, 1750,
Yesterday around 200 soldiers, sixty or seventy sepoys & troopers were stationed in the St Paul’s Church. At once manager of the temple, mendicants and Braahmans came out &told me … Right at that moment … the news was being brought in that the Father COEURDOUX, who was superior in charge of the St. Paul’S church have kicked inner shrine of the temple with the foot & had ordered Coffrees to take off the doors & Christians to break Vaahanams …
These are the findings which were later been confirmed by the historian and writer Prapanchan from the city of Pondicherry.
Worship Services
The church stays open from the morning till evening.
Photo Gallery
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