BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF DOLOURS (PUTHEN PALLY)

Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours (Puthan Pally) is claimed to be the biggest and tallest church in Asia, situated in the heart of the city of Thrissur in the Kerala state of south India. It is famous for its Gothic style architecture with an area of 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2), it has soaring belfries at the entrance, double storeyed aisles all along the nave and transepts, and eleven altars, five on either side of the main one. It is the largest church in India and its exuberant interior decorations include fine specimens of murals, images of saints and scenes from the scriptures. An array of 15 altars and musical church bells imported from Germany. The ceiling is decorated with marvellous mural paintings of the holy trinity. Look for the pulpit and the throne used by Pope John Paul II during his visit in 1986.The construction of this biggest church in India was done in different phases, started in the year 1929. The two front towers are of 146 feet (45 m) height each and the central tower of 260 feet (79 m) height makes this church as tallest in Asia. Completion of the towers were an architectural challenge. Few experts from TamilNadu were brought over. Architect who completed the church was Ambrose Gounder.