As ancient as Christianity itself For those who are raising their brows already at the mention of Christian pilgrimage in India, this will come as a surprise that India knew Christianity much before than the European Britain and Germany did. Apostle St. Thomas, a disciple of Christ Himself, came to India in 52 A.D preached the Gospel to the Brahmin families of Kerala, established seven Churches there and was martyred in 72 AD by a fanatic, and buried at Mylapore (near Madras). The credit propagation of the religion, however, goes to the Colonial Powers - Portuguese and the British. Today, there are about 25 million Christians in India (Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants), just below 3% of the total population of the country, flaked throughout, but with major concentration in Kerala, Goa, Misoram and Nagaland.

Some sites and Churches of importance, you should consider including in your Christian Pilgrimage itinerary are listed below.

Kerala: The Malayatoor Church, Valiya Palli Church, St. Francis Church and most importantly Santa Cruz Basilica (raised to a cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558 AD) are noteworthy churches of India’s Christianity holy-hub Kerala with about 9 million Christians. Keralalite Christians have a more remote ancestry than that of Christians of many of the European countries.
Goa: Unfortunately, the propagation of Christianity in Goa came about not by religious preaching but through the methods of violence and pressure by the Portuguese powers. The situation has transformed, for the better, with different communities co-existing. Churches like the Basilica of Bom Jesus or the tomb of St. Francis Xavier where his mortal remains attract believers in millions. Or the Church of St. Cajetan, modelled on the original design of St. Peter's Church in Rome and the Church of St Francis of Assisi are the main attractions. the Church and Convent of St Monica is the first Convent for nuns in Goa. Whether you have the time to tour all its churches dotted at every bend of the street. or not, do try to time your tour according to the Festivals. Be it the Christmas time, Feast of our Lady of Candelaria (Feb), Feast of St. Francis Xavier, Feast of our Lady of Rosary, Margao Feast (May) and most importantly, Goa Carnaval celebrated before Lent.

Tamil Nadu: Churches worth seeing in Tamil Nadu are Christ The King Church, Kandal Cross Shrine, Luz Church, Manappad Church, Santhome Cathedral Basilica, St. Andrew's Church, St. Mary's Church In The Fort, St. Thomas Mount and Velankanni Church.

Other Christian Pilgrimage Sites in India: A 1870 Anglican Cathedral with white and red stone exterior and marble altar, at Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), form another visual and spiritual feast. In Delhi, the Churches worth seeing include the Church of the Sacred Heart and the Cathedral Church of the Redemption. Mumbai’s first Anglican Church -Cathedral of St. Thomas, Chennai’s Little Mount in Saidapet, where the Saint lived and preached are sites you should not miss. And if you want to combine religious ardor with a summer-retreat, Himachal Pradesh is the place with important Churches worth visiting like Christ Church and St Michael's Cathedral, the Catholic Church of St. Francis, St. John's Church-In-Wilderness, and the Christ Church.


We, at Ultimate Travels, help you to knit an excellent itinerary that can blend your pilgrimage jaunt with some enticing tourist attractions in India. Contact us for your share of spiritual nourishment and visual Nirvana.