Elakurichi Adaikala Madha Shrine

Elakurichi Adaikala Madha Shrine

 

Elakurichi is a small village located in Ariyalur district, in Tamil Nadu,at the distance of  25 km from ariyalur. Elakurichi is famous for the Catholic pilgrimage center .

 

The Catholic shrine called Adaikalamadha shrine or Virgin Mary , The ancient church was built by the famous Catholic Missionary Constanzo Beschi popularly known as ‘Veeramamunivar’ in the year 1711.

 

History of Elakurichi Adaikala Madha Shrine :  Its origin goes back to the beginning of the 18th Century. At this juncture Fr. Beschi was working in Varadarajanpet and sent to Elakurichi during the Lenten season. Beschi replaced Fr. Emmanuel Machado who had been imprisoned in Vallam fort by Serfoji.

 

The Catholics, who suffered persecution under the Tanjore kingdom, crossed the borders to Elakurichi seeking shelter as well as to save their Catholic faith.

 

Constantine Beschi is believed to have come to Ariyalur region on missionary work between A.D. 1710 – 1742 and here at Elakurichi he built this Church on a vast land of about 60 acres granted by a local rich landlord as a token of his gratitude to Fr. Beschi,

 

who cured him of a dreadful disease by invoking the blessings of the Holy Mother Mary. An inscription engraved on a stone slab written in A.D. 1763, preserved in this church makes a mention of this grant.

 

Elakurichi is the most prominent place among the mission centres where Beschi worked. Beschi spent most of his missionary life here. It was here that he composed many of his master pieces like “Thembavani” (an epic on St. Joseph)” Thirukavalur Kalambaham” (a bouquet of poems on our Lady of Refuge).

 

His prose works like “Vedhiyar Ozhukkam”, “Veda Vilakkam” etc. & his grammatical works on classical and spoken Tamil and his famous Tamil dictionary “Sadhuragarathi”. It was at Elakurichi that Beschi started as “Senthamil Kalluri” (Tamil College).

 

Beschi was transferred to Vadugarpati (Vadugarpettai today). He worked here from 1717 till 1720. We are unable to know where Beschi was after 1720. But we learn that Beschi accompanied Bishop Pinheiro to Mylapore to Maravanad to collect information about the life of John de Britto, a Jesuit missionary.

 

In a letter dated 19-12-1726 written to Rome, Beschi introduces himself as already the Vicar Forane of Tanjavur. So we can safely presume Beschi was at Elakurichi from 1721 onwards.

 

During his stay at Elakurichi a very severe famine overtook that area. Thousands of people died of starvation. Mothers sold their infants just for a few measures of rice. The protestant Danish mission at Tranquebar took advantage of this situration.

 

Generously spending the large amount of money that was at their disposal, they began to net the catholics in to their fold. To avail themselves of this monetary assistance, a number of catholics and even some catechists crossed over to their fold.

 

It was at this juncture that he chose to invoke Mary as “Adaikala Madha” (Our Lady of Refuge) and composed a booklet called “Thirukavalur Kalambaham” in her honour.

 

Things began to take a new turn. There was good rain and the famine disappeared. The Catholics who strayed away for the sake of money returned to the fold. Miraculous favours began to flow.

 

When a fire accident occurred at that time in the village, in spite of the strong wind the huts of the Christians were untouched by the fire. Fr. Beschi understood that our Lady had come to live with them and protect them.

 

With the recommendation of the Archbishop of Mylapore he submitted an application, through his Jesuit General in Rome, to His Holiness the Pope for permission to celebrate solemnly the titular feast of “Adaikalamatha”

 

On the third Sunday after Easter every year and also for the sanction of a plenary indulgence for the faithful participating in it. He received the letter of sanction signed by His Holiness himself towards the end of 1733.

 

About this time the chieftain of Ariyalur, Rengappa Malavarayar came to see Fr. Beschi. He was very much taken up by the learning and piety of Fr. Beschi He was astonished that an European like Beschi could possess such a vast and deep knowledge of “Tamil Grammar” and “Literature”.

 

As a token of his appreciation he donated about 175 acres to this Church. The stone tablet attesting to this fact can be seen even today in the church compound.

 

Bronze Statue of Adaikala Madha : The fame of Elakurichi was known the whole of Tamilnadu right from the time of Veeramamunivar. Church has a built a Rosary park, 120 feet high with five layers.

 

1st Layer

All the statues of Our Lady appeared in different parts of the world will be erected with their historical background and importance.

 

2nd Layer

The history of Elakurichi and miracles of Adaikalamadha will be displayed. The life history of Veeramamunivar and his literary master pieces will also be exhibited.

 

3rd Layer (Bible in Digital)

Lots of children do visit the Shrine regularly. In order to attract them towards the word of God, the biblical stories will be shown in sound and light.

 

4th Layer

Adoration Chapel will adorn the 4th Layer of the Tower.

 

Top Layer

On top, 53 feet statue of Adaikalamadha – Our Lady of Refuge made out of mixture of five metals (Pancha Logam) by world renowned sculptures (Stapathis) from Swamimalai, Tamilnadu, India will be erected.

 

Madha Kulam (Sacred Pond) : King of Ariyalur Arengappa Malavarayar affected with an incurable cancerous mole (Raja Pilavai) approached Veeramamunivar to heal him. Munivar knowing well of his inability to do so, sought the refuge of Mother Mary.

 

Heeding the prayers, our blessed mother brought forth a miraculous spring like in Lourds. He applied the soil mixed with the spring water on the incurable mole. On the very same night he got cured. In order to thank for the favors received the king donated 175 Acres of land on which stands the present shrine.

 

 Elakurichi Adaikalamadha shrine car festival : Every year in the month of April the car festival will be celebrate Christians come together to this festival pilgrims gather to pray to Mother Mary.

 

Tamilnadu Government has announced it as a tourist spot in the year 2001. The Adaikalamadha shrine is a sacred pilgrimage centre for Roman Catholics.

 

The state government had spent lots on money to improve the infrastructure for the benefit of devotees coming to the church during festival times.

 

Elakurichi Adaikala Madha Shrine Mass Time :

 

Weekdays : 6:30 am to 11:30 am

 

Saturdays : 6:30 am to 11:30 am

 

First Saturdays : 6:00 pm Car Procession Novena Mass

 

Second Saturdays : 9:00 am Prayer meeting

 

1:00 pm Special Mass

 

2:00 pm Annadhanam

 

Sundays : 8.30 am to 11:30 am

 

Elakurichi Adaikala Madha Church Visiting Time :

 

Every Days :6:00 am to 8:00 pm

 

Elakurichi  Adaikala Madha Shrine Address :

Elakurichi P.O., Thirumanur Via.,

Ariyalur District – 621 715, Tamilnadu, India.

 

How to Reach Elakurichi  Adaikala Madha Shrine :

 

By Road :  Adaikalamatha Shrine is (32 Kms) from Thanjavur Old Bus Stand, (37.2 Kms) from Thanjavur New bus stand

 

By Train : The nearest railway station is Thanjavur Railway Station which is (29 Kms) from Adaikalamatha Shrine.

 

By Air : The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli Airport which is (71.8 Kms) from Adaikalamadha Shrine.