• Poondi Madha Church - You will be picked up from your hotel in Trichy and driven to the village of Poondi, an hour’s drive away.

The Basilica is a great piece of Gothic and French architectural styles and has a main tower that is 220 feet high. A row of statues of the 12 Apostles along with statues of St. Francis Xavier and Fr. C.J. Beschi stand above the portico of the Basilica.

Under the dome of the Basilica is the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, one of the three original statues that were made in France after the apparition of Our Lady at Lourdes. The Basilica also contains a relic of the True Cross, believed to be the one on which Christ was crucified. The shrine was declared a Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1999 and is a pilgrimage center for Catholics.

After your visit, enjoy lunch (own expense) at a local restaurant.

After lunch you will be driven back to Trichy and dropped off at your hotel.

• Complimentary bottled water
• Transport by private air-conditioned vehicle
• Convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off

• Food or drink, unless specified
• Gratuities
• Guide

Visit a Minor Basilica situated in the small village of Poondi in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Basilica dates back to the 18th century when an Italian Jesuit missionary, Fr. C.J. Beschi, visited India to spread Christianity. The present day Basilica was built in 1890 and is a brilliant piece of neo-Gothic architecture.

Highlights

Gothic and French architectural style

Relic of the True Cross

Statue of our Lady of Lourdes

• Not recommended for participants with back problems.
• Consider wearing comfortable clothes and walking shoes.
• A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.