Our Lady of Angels Church, Karaikal 2.22

Our Lady of Angels Church is the oldest church in Karaikal in Pondicherry, a Union territory in South India. The original structure was built in Neo-Gothic architecture by the French Colonial Empire in 1822. The original structure is believed to have been built during 1739 and was destroyed by the British. The church has the tallest structure for any building in Karaikal, raising to a height of 133ft, built during 1891.Our Lady of Angels Church is a working church with hourly prayer and daily services and follows Roman Catholic sect of Christianity. The Thetheravu Matha festival is a ten-day festival celebrated in the Church every year on 15 August when the festive image of Mary is taken in a chariot around the streets of the Church. The Church is one of the most prominent landmarks in Karaikal and faces the Bay of Bengal.ArchitectureThe Church is located in Church street in Karaikal, which is believed to be named after the Church. The church is built in Neo-Gothic architecture with the main chappel, a 133ft tower approached through a structure with doom shaped roof and a worship hall. The top of the tower is a cone with an octagonal base and the cone houses three clocks. There are five huge bells, the sound of which can be heard as far as 5km from its location. The Church has stained glass windows and marble altars, believed to have been added during 1739. The shrine faces the East facing the sea towards Bay of Bengal. The altar is originally believed to have a statue of Our Lady of Angels, but houses a Holy Cross in modern times.