La Saleth Church
Revered as the pristine gem of Kodaikanal, La Saleth Church is sited up on a cliff edge outside of town. To reach there, you have to ascend a steep staircase that guides you to the door of this beautiful shrine. Once reaching there, one can pay homage to the Almighty and offer his/her prayers in a calm and quiet ambiance.
La Saleth is a more than 100-year-old historic shrine in Kodaikanal and was once the only Catholic Church in the town. In August, the church hosts its annual festival to pay homage to Mother May which runs for around 9 days. During this time, a heavy footfall of devotees can be spotted, both natives and tourists.
History of La Saleth Church
The church dates back to 1863 when its cornerstone was laid by a French Missionary who believed in the philosophy of La Salette. The funding for the construction of this church came from a Belgian lady who donated benevolently after her daughter was cured of a disease. After almost 3 years of building the shrine, in 1866, the church was dedicated to Our Lady of La Salette (believed to be an apparition of Mother Mary) on Easter Sunday.
Architecture of La Saleth Church
Bearing witness to the French influence in the establishment of this church and also a hint of the local architectural style of Tamil Nadu, La Salette Church sports Tamil-French architecture. Apart from the main shrine which houses a statue of Our Lady of La Salette and another of Saint Joseph (the earthly parents of Jesus), the premise has a Pilgrim Hall, La Salette Grotto, and Way of the Cross. The entrance has an arch that welcomes all.
