Kandal cross

The unique experience

Known widely as Jerusalem of the East, the church is a must to be included in your bucket list of top PLACES TO VISIT IN OOTY. The most unique feature of this church is the bronze crucifix that is housed here. Another unique feature to be seen here is a relic that is kept in a tiny glass case. This relic, according to local beliefs, is a part of the original cross that Lord Jesus carried on the day of his crucifixion.

About Kandal Cross

Kandal Cross shrine is a holy and pious place for the Nilgiri region’s Roman Catholics, positioned merely 3 kilometers from Ooty Bus Station. The OOTY LAKE is just 2 kilometers away. It’s thronged in large numbers by devotees that come here on Friday to take part in Novena prayers. The masses also attract quite a large chunk of devotees. It is believed to be a very holy place where pilgrims get blessed by the lord whenever they come to pray here. The church organizes a gala feast on the 3rd of May each year and this becomes a huge draw for hundreds of pilgrims.

History

The Kandal Cross Church was established by Paul Crayssac, a French priest in the year 1933. It was a year later in 1939 that he presented the wooden memorial to the church. This memorial housing the actual relic from Christ’s cross was procured from a Roman museum.

More about the place

OOTY TOURISM can be experienced in true form only when you make a visit to the Kandal Cross Shrine that is home to the relic of the actual cross of Jesus Christ. Some important features to be found at this church are listed as follows:

Mount Calvary

The church has a real life-like depiction of Jesus’s crucifixion where he can be seen hanging from a cross, just like his real crucifixion that took place on Mount Calvary. This crucifix was brought by the French priest and installed at Kurusadi.

Relic of the actual cross of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion

Visitors will be surprised to find the relic of Christ’s original cross that he carried for his own crucifixion. This piece is believed to have been touched by Christ. Most pilgrims believe their prayers get answered when they pray in front of this cross, and that it also showers heavenly blessings on everyone.

Cave Church and Mother of Passion statue

There is a cave church that was built on May 3rd, 1939. This cave contains the idol of Christ and depicts him buried inside the tomb. Also present is a statue of Mother Mary at Kurusadi. This statue is known as Mother of Passion statue and anyone praying in front of it is believed to get blessed by the mother.

The Resurrected Jesus statue and the crib

The statue of Resurrected Jesus can also be found here at the church. It is one of the most important features to attract believers. A crib is also found at this church.

Cemetery

Among other features, there is a cemetery that is used to bury the dead.

What else?

PLACES TO VISIT IN OOTY

OOTY TOURIST PLACES such as the OOTY LAKE, Ooty Botanical Gardens, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Tiger Hill, Dolphin’s Nose, Ooty Rose Garden, and Doddabetta Peak are some of the spots that must never be missed when you go for OOTY SIGHTSEEING as these are naturally abundant with pristine settings and enchanting views.

Ooty unseen places

There are some hotspots that attract hoards of visitors, but do you know that there are some hidden gems that are equally gorgeous? Some of these places like Needle Rock Viewpoint and Ooty Forest Walk will make your travel to Ooty worth it.

How to reach

Distance in kilometers from:
Ooty Bus Station-3 kilometer
Ooty Railway Station-3 kilometer
Ooty Lake- 2 kilometer